Vacuum Forming

[jholland311]

Go Bucks!

[florsignol]

We can buy plastics from Canus Plastics in Ottawa. However, you might have to contact a local distributor.

[michealcovert1]

where do you buy the plastic sheets?????

[Eletromanisme]

@michealcovert1 that guys office :D

[biowerks]

That kid freaks out when the guy was like "I need to see someone in my office"

[florsignol]

The lab technician asked to see someone in his office because I had to pay for the sheet of 1/16" polypropylene plastic.

[biowerks]

I was just joking... That is a really cool project though. Nice job on the mold.

[yasamansheri]

cool video BUD. lotta attention ;)

[foxacoustics]

You need to add a air solinoid and make an air ejection system that blows air into the mold in reverse to pop the part loose. Also consider using a 2 deg taper end mill when cutting your molds. Get a powder bag w/ baking flower and tap it on the mold between parts. It works as a dry release w/MDF and it will help the parts come off a lot easier. Good luck.

[2webby]

We used a Silicone spray on the mold prior to forming the part. The baking flower is way to messy. This is a 2nd year Industrial design course teaching students how to build thermoforming molds. Students are told the importance of draft angles when designing their molds for proper release of the plastic. It's up to them to use the proper draft angle. This is the main reason the part did not release from the mold. Air was blown in between the mold and plastic. You just couldn't see it.

[VacTrooper]

you let it cool too long, that's why you could not release the mold.

[2webby]

"No", the students didn't put enough draft on their mold. This is the main reason the plastic would not release from the mold.

[azorea]

so how did you cut the pieces out?

[Merlo177]

The heating system is gril right ?

[2webby]

There are heating elements on both the top and the bottom.

[roadkillontheweb]

Rather than beating the part with a hammer I find it is easier to use a blast of compressed air between the mold buck and the fresh part to help seperate them. You are a lot less likely to damage the mold that way and it normally works quick and easy!

[florsignol]

We were supposed to consider draft in our project, it should have come off easily the first time. As the mould is made of wood and wood products such as MDF, the draft ratios should be more generous than with plastic parts that are often smooth in finish.

We ended doing exactly what you suggested, after we added a little hole at the bottom of the mould to accommodate for the snout of the air nozzle.

[lordkramski]

omg thats one b grade vacuum forming machine

[kurrodu]

Thanks for uploading.. Very informative, and helps better understanding the capability of vacuum forming.

[larregui72]

good machine

[2webby]

Pretty cool eh?