Anyone have any vacuuform experience?

[willimo]

Has anyone here vacuuformed any of their own parts? I've seen a few tutorials online, but I was sondering how hard it actually is. It looks reasonable, but I don't want to start sinking money into something that just isn't going to work for me....

If no one has done it, I might be tempted to try it and show my results... depends on my disposable income (and time) this semester.

For those of you who don't know, vacuuforming is simple in theory (and maybe execution?). You have a table that is attached to a vacuum pump (like a vacuum cleaner) that you set your master part on. Then, you heat up a very thin sheet of plastic and place it over the master, and the vacuum pulls the sheet of plastic over the master making a very thin copy of the master.

I'm curious because I want to build a drag Civic, and I figure the best way to make a thin fiberglass hood would be by vacuuform.

Anyway, thanks!

[bigfrit]

Have been searching for this technique, but can't seem to find a good tutorial, can you post yours, please?

Oh, and it doesn't sounds very difficult (reading it ), but I wonder how you are going to get the whole sheet of plastic heated up ? and into the vaccuupump?

Olivier

[egon_dude]

ive vacuum formed quite a few bits for school tech projects, and theres a few things worth noting- first, the former you make has to be absolutely perfectly smooth as any little bits or dust or imperfections WILL show up on the finished part, the plastic seems to magnify any blemish. Secondly, big parts have to have a 5 degree taper on any vertical sides otherwise you wont be able to get the former out of the part without braking it. Make sure you use lots of release agent (just use talk powder or chalk dust).
And it might be worth trying to get in touch with a school or college that has a proper vacuum forming machine so you can try out the idea before you spend lots of time trying to build your own one.
Good Luck

[chrismcgee]

Originally Posted by egon_dude

ive vacuum formed quite a few bits for school tech projects, and theres a few things worth noting- first, the former you make has to be absolutely perfectly smooth as any little bits or dust or imperfections WILL show up on the finished part, the plastic seems to magnify any blemish. Secondly, big parts have to have a 5 degree taper on any vertical sides otherwise you wont be able to get the former out of the part without braking it. Make sure you use lots of release agent (just use talk powder or chalk dust).
And it might be worth trying to get in touch with a school or college that has a proper vacuum forming machine so you can try out the idea before you spend lots of time trying to build your own one.
Good Luck

i too have used vacuum forming a lot, and with parts you have to be very carefull, you can make multi stage release molds that you can disasemble, but also the choice of material. polystyrene sheets are most commonly used, but become thin and brittle over fine details

[Lambo003]

Excellent question Willmo!

I vacuum form quite a bit and recommend clear butyrate sheets from Plastruct rather than the polystyrene sheets. As mentioned, polystyrene becomes very brittle. The butyrate eliminates this problem and seems to retain its thickness over sharp edges. I'ts just easier to work with and you end up with nice sturdy parts . . .

As far as sinking money into it, I was able to put together a simple 6X8 vacuum form for under $25.00.

[hirofkd]

I've been vacuum forming for quite a while, using balsa wood as a master and a home made vacuum forming machine.
Balsa wood is easy to carve, and it doesn't require mold release. Thickness of plastic, I prefer to use, is 1.0 mm, so minor imperfection won't show up on the surface. (Except clear part, which requires a polished master, preferably made by resin.)

Vacuum forming machine is made from a wood jewelry box, mesh sheet, two picture frames and short pipe (to connect to the vacuum cleaner).
You also need many cramps.

Actual parts can be found here. (and don't ask me when I'm gonna finish it.)
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~xr2h-fkd...sp/333sp01.htm

[willimo]

Originally Posted by bigfrit

Have been searching for this technique, but can't seem to find a good tutorial, can you post yours, please?

Oh, and it doesn't sounds very difficult (reading it ), but I wonder how you are going to get the whole sheet of plastic heated up ? and into the vaccuupump?

Olivier

This is my favorite tutorial, I first found it a couple years ago. I like it because its some random person doing it in their kitchen, without a fancy machine.

http://www.studiocreations.com/storm...vacuumforming/

You can play with that link and find how they made the vacuum table, too, which is good to know.