What is Vacuum Forming?
Vacuum forming is a process that takes thermo plastic sheet, heats it and forms it over or into a pattern. It is useful for creating shells of fairly uniform wall thicknesses. It can be used to prototype molded biomorphic surfaces. Cup lids from Tressider are vacuum formed part you see everyday What can be Vacuum formed? Any thermoplastic sheet material can be vacuum formed. Refer to the following list of plastics and their characteristics. Styrene: usually white, high impact grades are best, tends to yellow with age, solvent bonds well, cheap. paintable ABS: Opaque, usually black or white with texture, machine grade is buff, no texture, good strength, slightly less tough than Kydex, Solvent bonds well, paintable Kydex: PVC based plastic good strength and toughness, finishes well, many colors, expensive, special solvent needed. PET: Clear Good toughness and formability. Doesnt have processing problems that Polycarbonate does. It is cool to paint on the inside to leave a real glossy sur
