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areas:vacuumformer

Vacuum Forming Area

Area Champion

Andrew Jessen

Sara Cellucci

Training, Rules, and Etiquette

In order to use the vacuum former, members must be signed off by an area champion after completing training. If you would like to schedule a training session, please check the Training Classes page for up-to-date info. Please note that the area is currently undergoing renovations; this section will be updated when these are complete.

Training Classes:

  • Costs $5.00 (pending new machine with cheaper material cost)
  • Typically take <30 minutes

Don't break anything, please.

Authorized / Signed Off Users

Machines

Setup and Operation

The heating elements on the vacuum former reach >150° Centigrade (about 300° Fahrenheit). Although it is safe to briefly touch the plastic while it is at temperature, I do not recommend that you touch it for more than a second at a time.

FAQs

“What kind of materials can you use?”

Good materials for “bucks” (molds) include:

  • 3d prints - PLA might deform, especially with thin walls, so PETG or ABS are preferable
  • wood
  • dry plaster-like materials

Please ask before using anything else as dust, moisture, or overheated bucks can damage the machine.

suitable plastics for forming include:

  • High Impact Polystyrene (preferred)
  • Abs
  • Pvc
  • Acrylic
  • Polyethylene
  • Polypropylene
  • Pet-g
  • Butyrate
  • Polycarbonate (ask for approval due to potential off-gassing)

Plastic sheet thickness is typically around 1mm, or between .03“ and .08” but theoretically can go up to 1/8“ on some materials. The main bed uses 2' x 4' sheets, but may in the future support smaller sheets pending construction of adapters.

areas/vacuumformer.txt · Last modified: 2023/05/30 20:06 by wildapricot-cellucci_sara