Vacuum Forming Flashcards
What is vacuum forming?
The pressing of heat softened plastic sheets over a mould. Things such as margarine tubs are formed by this process
When would you use vacuum forming and when is it useful?
Vacuum forming is used and is useful for when you are creating many mounds that are identical to one another
What should you do to surfaces when vacuum forming?
You should smoothen them down with glass paper
How do you make a mould
Usually you would use wood such as MDF as it is an ideal material.
Why are small holes drilled when vacuum forming?
Small holes are drilled through bases of materials so that pockets of air are not trapped in the material when formed.
Step one of vacuum forming
The plastic sheet is clamped in a frame over the vacuum chamber as it rests on a silicone sealing strip which is heat resistant. The mould sits on a platform under the sheet. The platform then moves up and down.
Step two
A heater is pulled on a track to cover the sheet. As it heats up the sheet expands. It then goes flat again.
Step three
When the sheet is at the correct temperature, the platform raises inside the vacuum chamber. The mould is then pushed into the hot sheet.
Step four
A pump is then turned on which exhausts the chamber and causes the sheet to tightly form around the mould.
