Projects / Mechanical / Project 54

Vacuum Forming Machine for Plastic Sheets

Approx. component budget: Rs. 6,000 - 10,000

Objective

Build a small vacuum forming machine and find how heating time and vacuum level affect wall thickness and detail of formed parts.

What you will build

A heating oven with elements, a sheet clamp frame, a perforated vacuum table, a vacuum pump or strong vacuum cleaner, and moulds made of wood or 3D print.

Results you can expect

• Formed parts in PET or HIPS sheet
• Wall thickness map
• Effect of heating time and vacuum level
• Defect list such as webbing and thinning

What you will learn

Thermoforming, mould design, and heat and vacuum control, used in packaging and product manufacturing.

Tools and notes

Thickness gauge, timer and thermostat, CAD, simple tools. Use proper electrical protection for the heating elements and keep hands away from hot sheet.

Resume points from this project

• Built and tested Vacuum Forming Machine for Plastic Sheets; objective: build a small vacuum forming machine and find how heating time and vacuum level affect wall thickness and detail of formed parts.
• Measured and analysed formed parts in PET or HIPS sheet and wall thickness map; wrote the report and presented the results in a viva. Add your own numbers: [x].

Replace [x] with your own measured results. Write only what you really did.

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