Large Vacuum Former

  1. Unlock the machine with your ETH card
  2. Turn on the machine and heating elements
  3. Place mold on the lifting platform
  4. Install the material in the frame
  5. Heat up the material
  6. Lift the platform and turn on the vacuum pump
  7. Remove the part and turn the machine off
  • Cost: free
  • Size 500mmx550mm
  • Material thickness 0.5mm to 5mm
  • No undercut on the form
  • Include taper angles of a few degrees on straight elements perpendicular to the vacuum table.

Formable Material

  • PS (Polystyrene)
  • PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol)
  • PMMA (Acrylic)

Form material

  • Timber
  • High density Polyurethane
  • FDM 3D print (do not overheat! it will melt!)
  • Plaster

Tutorial

  1. Turn on the machine with your ETH card
  2. Turn the machine on with the main switch (1)
  3. Turn on the needed heating elements (2). Normally all elements are to be set to MAX.
  4. Activate the heating elements (3)
  1. Insert your form in the center of the lifting platform (5)
  2. Insert the material and clamp it down (6)
  3. Slide the heating element over the material (7)
  4. Check the progress of the heating (varies with thickness and material), material should deform in order to be moldable.
  5. Slide the heating element (7) back, lift the platform with the lever to the left (8) and turn on the vacuum pump (9) shortly afterwards by pushing the switch up.
  6. Press the counterpressure button (10) for an easier removal later
  7. Loose the frame and remove your objects, turn off the heating elements and the machine with the main switch.

Troubleshooting

  • Drill holes where possible is there is a air could be getting trapped
  • Heat up the material even more
  • Reduce the amount to time heating the material.
  • If the material is thick, consider reducing the temperature and increasing the heating time.
  • Check if there are any undercuts
  • Increase the taper angle
  • Reduce the the amount of heat to the material