Vaccum Forming

• Why is vaccum forming not ideal for one off production 

  Time required to make a mould is not cast effective for one off production
• What are 3 examples of products made for vaccum forming

  Yogurt pots

  Coffee cups

  Lightweight trays
• What category of plastic is used with vacuum forming

  Thermoplastics eg HIPS
• What material is the mould made from

  MDF
• What are some downsides to vacuum forming

  Quite slow process

  Max 6mm thickness of shaping
• What is the process of Vacuum forming

  1.Mould placed on bed of machine(platen), lowered to bottom

  2.Polymer sheet clamped over mould, heater pulled over sheet

  3.When sheet has softened, platen raised into polymer

  4.Vacuum pump on, sucks polymer onto mould

  5.Polymer cooled and solid, platen lowered, vacuum off

  6.Mould removed from moulding, excess polymer trimmed off