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Anonymous Poster

Vacuum forming

04/18/2008 11:01 PM

I want to build a small vacuum forming set-up in my shop for forming ABS parts. Can heat lamps be used to provide the heat? I can have the form machined, but what kind and size of vacuum pump do I use?
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pantaz
Guru

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Van Nuys, CA
Posts: 563
Good Answers: 33
#1

Re: Vacuum forming

04/19/2008 2:56 AM

Just spotted this...
Kitchen Floor Vacuum Former -- uses a standard shop vacuum.
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Mr. Truman Brain
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United Kingdom - Member - New Member Hobbies - Musician - New Member Engineering Fields - Mechanical Engineering - New Member Hobbies - Target Shooting - New Member Engineering Fields - Power Engineering - New Member Hobbies - Fishing - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: South-east corner of Spain 50 48 49.24N 2 28 27.70W
Posts: 1508
Good Answers: 31
#2

Re: Vacuum forming

04/19/2008 4:32 AM

Best bet is ask frankd20! He has built and experimented with DIY vacuum forming machines! I guess if anybody knows, he would! Check his Workbench Creation! Big it up for Frank

__________________
 “It's kind of fun to do the impossible.” Walt Disney
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JJSEEKER
Commentator

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 62
#3

Re: Vacuum forming

04/20/2008 1:28 AM

Use whatever vacuum you have, a medium duty shopvac 5.5hp is ideal.

I've included some pics of a former I made, with the vacuum it will handle at least 1/4" plastics heated properly. The oven is the tricky part, don't want to ruin your kitchen oven, find a used toaster oven (if it handles your size requirements, not sure as your info was limited "Guest") and creatte a frame to hold the sheet plastic.

Construction:

2 Pieces of 5/8"-3/4" wood cut to desired size 15x10?

1 Piece of 1/4" wood frame cut to matching size, 1.5-2" border.

1/16-5/64" holes drilled into one of the 5/8-3/4" in a 1x1 pattern leaving the 1.5-2" border.

Drill the desired size hole in the other 5/8-3/4" sheet for pvc piping (to match your vacuum). attach a 90deg. pvc elbow to the sheet, and piping to interface with vacuum.

Glue them together clamp them down, seal the sides and attach desired stand structure and your ready to go.
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JJSEEKER (1); Mr. Truman Brain (1); pantaz (1)

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