Vacuum Forming Machine

[sanddrag]

Has anyone built a vacuum forming machine? If so, how big and do you have any pics? As if I need more projects, I've been thinking about building one. It doesn't seem very difficult or expensive at all. The only thing is making the forms (out of wood or whatever) seems a bit challenging since I'm not artistically skilled.

[KenWittlief]

over the years there have been some vacuum forming toys sold - you could make plastic cars and stuff

try searching ebay - you might find something cheap!

[Billfred]

I <3 Hackaday:

http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000540056925/

[Marc P.]

Team 38 built one in 2002 to form our plastic covering. If you're looking to form anything larger than a foot, it may be more trouble than it's worth, unless you have access to a very large oven to heat the material. The vacuum chamber itself was made of 4x8 plywood and pegboard, insulated with duct tape.

For our robot covering, we used high-output space heaters to soften the polycarb, and our sponsor loaned us some industrial blowers (from air mattresses) for the vacuum. We built a wooden mock-up of the shape we wanted, and melted the polycarb around it, using duct tape to insulate the vacuum chamber. Our build space was relatively small, and all I can tell you is even with all the windows and doors open in the middle of February, the temperature was easily high 90's, low 100's. It was a great experience to see it done, but it took a long time to get the polycarb soft enough to fit the mold all around.

[Jeff Pahl]

One of my favorite books on the subject is "The Prop Builders Molding and Casting Handbook". In a prior life I did a lot of theatre work...

There is about a 50 page section on how to build and use a vacuum forming machine. If you have access to a college theatre department, they would be a good resource in the prop and scene building area.

One trick that I've been told by an expert that I know is to cover the mold with a rubber sheet dusted with I think talcum powder. I'm away from the office all week, I'll have to try and find my notes when I get back.

Good Luck, post some pictures when you get it built!