Vac Forming machine

Vacuum Forming Tables

By Steve Bamford

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Click on this image for sizes and prices etc

I was poking around the net and came across a site that had something many of us have thought about more than once as we go about various modelling projects. For me the main use of a vacuum forming table would be for custom canopies, but there are many times when I've craved one of these when I was doing kit bashing or modifying a regular kit.

Anyhow....here's a good run down on the process with some common questions and answers at the bottom. All this information is from the website of a company called Warm Plastic.com. For more information and prices of these units.....go to their website and ask them about the machines....they are more than keen to help answer your questions concerning these machines.

To Begin

Set your oven to 300° F (150° C)
Connect your home vacuum cleaner

Place your pattern

On the work surface

Place plastic frame in oven

Put plastic in frame
Place frame on blocks (provided) in the oven
In 90 seconds the plastic will be warm

Lay warm plastic frame on your pattern

Use the alignment jigs provided

Hit the "on" switch of your vacuum cleaner

Press the frame down

Questions & Answers

Q. Why vacuum form?

To build a subject that is not commercially available.
To improve a manufactured model. Aircraft canopies are a good example.
To create prototype packaging.
To create sample blister packs.
To make more than one copy or version of your subject.
Q. What's a pattern?

A. Patterns are the shapes that you will copy in plastic. Warmed plastic will form over the shape. Patterns can be made out of basswood, plywood, self-hardening or baked clays, acrylic, metals and plastics of all kinds.

Q. Where does the vacuum come from?

A. Your household vacuum cleaner. When styrene is warmed it is highly pliable. Introducing a vacuum to draw the plastic so as to conform to the pattern is magical. Once you have the pattern and one of our vacuum forming tables ( Order Here ), your vacuum cleaner will provide the pull on the plastic.

Q. How is the plastic warmed?

A. In your home oven at a temperature of 300°F (150°C).

Q. How complex can the pattern be?

A. Very. However, some shapes can have areas where the vacuum will not adequately draw the plastic to the pattern. When that is the case small holes must be drilled through the pattern so that the vacuum suction can reach the complex portion of the pattern.

Q. How detailed can the pattern be?

A. As fine as a human hair placed between the pattern and the plastic. Wood grain, slight fingernail dents and such things as adhesive tape can be easily captured.

Q. How can I get an answer that is not listed here?

A. We are anxious to answer your questions. Click here for information on how to contact us.