Vacuum forming is a useful factor to have the ability to do, and [3DSage] demonstrates tips on how to do a bare-bones system that may kind something smaller than a dinner plate with little greater than a 3D printed becoming to a vacuum cleaner, a warmth gun, and a visit to the greenback retailer.
The 3D printed piece is a perforated desk that connects to a vacuum cleaner hose, and [3DSage] mentions elsewhere that he tried a number of totally different designs and this one labored the very best. A cardboard field makes an expedient stand. The item being molded goes on the desk, and when the vacuum is turned on, air will get sucked down into the holes.
As for the thermoforming itself, all that takes is a few low-cost plastic plates and a warmth gun. Warmth the plastic till it begins to droop, then slap it down onto the vacuum desk and watch the magic occur. Utilizing plastic plates like that is good. Not solely are they economical, however their rim serves as a built-in deal with and helps help the sagging plastic.
Thermoforming plastic on a 3D-printed vacuum desk and utilizing 3D-printed molds positively isn’t a system that can be cranking components out all day lengthy, however so long as one permits time for every part to chill off in between activations, it’ll get the job performed. Nylon will maintain up finest however even PLA might be serviceable.
Watch it in motion within the video embedded under. The video is definitely about [3DSage] making lovely Sport Boy themed s’mores, however right here’s a hyperlink to the precise second the vacuum forming half occurs.