Vacuum Forming (also called Thermoforming), is a simple process that uses heat to soften a plastic sheet, and then vacuum to suck it down tightly against a pattern or mold. The plastic quickly cools and retains this shape.
The Vaquform is a really powerful, fully integrated desktop thermoforming setup. I've built DIY vacuum forming systems in the past using light duty vacuum pumps, but the hybrid system inside of the Vaquform works amazingly well given the cost, size, and weight of the machine. It's also very well designed, compact, and easy to use.
Do it yourself vacuum forming for the hobbyist pdf to jpg
Combining in-house vacuum forming with 3D printing also dramatically reduces the time required for prototyping. I'm very happy with the Vaquform and making custom molds for homemade dog treats is next on my list for my pup!
This is the Thurston James' vacuum forming machine from his book The Prop Builder's Molding and Casting Handbook, page 175. This is a great book and I have most of Thurston James' books. Get them at Amazon.com today, if you don't have it already. His design is discussed in detail, but not to the extent that I could just sit down with the book and build his table. Its not a building guide. There is enough concept and general information to get started, however, and with a little time and effort, reverse-engineering and researching, this project has finally taken off. There are no plans, or building diagrams in his book, except for a wiring diagram for the oven. The rest of this project has to be "re-imagined".
The availability of the parts is what determines the construction sequence for me. I went with the forming surface, then the holding frames, then the forming cart, then the oven, oven cart, then the vacuum system.
Vacuum chambers are used by physicists for a number of different reasons. In a vacuum chamber, the air is completely removed, creating an environment in which normal planetary pressure does not exist. Many computer components are made within a vacuum chamber. A homemade vacuum chamber can be used by computer hobbyists to create certain components or it can also be used to explore the properties of space by placing common objects in the chamber, vacating the air and observing the results. Many objects will expand when placed in a vacuum chamber, though the effects of the vacuum will not affect every object that is subjected to it. 2ff7e9595c
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