Vacuum Forming Plastic

The vacuum forming process is a relatively simple procedure but utilises some complex equipment.
 
Vacuum forming is performed by heating a thermoplastic material till it reaches a pre-set melt flow index at which point the material can be formed over a Tool / Mould using Vacuum.

Typical range of thermoplastic materials include Acrylic (Perspex), High Impact Styrene (HIPS), High Impact Acrylic, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and ASA (Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile).

TOOLING

All 2D vacuumed plastic components are made from a tool. During the proto-type stages the tool is made from wood or MDF and made in house on our 3D routers or made in our Tooling Dept.
 
After trials have been run, adjustments made and samples approved the tool is then manufactured from either fibreglass or an Aluminium Epoxy material.

PRODUCTION

Tooling normally 2 – 3 weeks Lead Time.
Off Tool Samples normally 1 week Lead Time.
Production Commencing normally 2 – 3 weeks Lead Time.
From conception to production approx. 5 – 6 weeks

TRIMMING

Jigs & Fixtures can be then made up to cut the components from the moulded sheet. This operation is performed for low volume components.

CNC ROBOT TRIMMING

We can also set up Jigs & Fixtures so our CNC Robot Trimmer can trim components from the moulded sheet. We require minimum order runs of 1000 pieces to set this up.

We have several specialised Vacuum Forming machines that have a variety of applications, utilising different plate sizes & but most importantly are driven by advanced CNC software to accurately adjust the individual heaters, the time, vacuum & ensure that the formed part is consistent every time.

There are three vacuum processes currently in use:

CNC Twin Sheet Vacuum Forming
- can produce 3D components.

CNC Single Station up to 3 X 2 Mte
- 2D components only.

CNC Rotary 4 Station 2200 X 1200mm
- 2D components only.

Related Links:

• 2D Laser Cutting and Engraving
  
• 3D Laser Cutting and Engraving
  
• Vacuum Forming
  
• Thermo Forming
  
• CNC Router Cutting
  
• Perspex cut to size
  
• Acrylic cut to size
  
• Plastic fabrication