【Vacuum Forming Application】FormBox Vacuum Forming and Mold Making Beginner's Guide! 7 Design Essentials You Should Know!
Before starting, do you have a thorough understanding of the basic design principles of vacuum forming and mold making? This time, we've invited digital manufacturing expert Agustín Arroyo to explain it all.
Before using any equipment, it's essential to understand the design principles of the Mayku FormBox for vacuum forming. Similar to 3D printing, it's best to understand some of the design logic for 3D printing before you start designing. Afterwards, you can easily apply it to 3D printed products or electronic product enclosures, etc.
No Undercuts
If you vacuum form a model with protrusions or indentations, once the material sheet cools down, you won't be able to remove the object. If you're used to FDM 3D printers, you'll know that you must avoid overhangs. When 3D printing objects for vacuum forming, all undercuts must be avoided.
No Undercuts
If you vacuum form a model with protrusions or indentations, once the material sheet cools down, you won't be able to remove the object. If you're used to FDM 3D printers, you'll know that you must avoid overhangs. When 3D printing objects for vacuum forming, all undercuts must be avoided.
Add Draft Angles
During plastic injection molding, to easily remove the plastic molded part from the mold, a draft angle must typically be applied. A draft angle is a slope applied to the surface of a model that helps in removing the model from the material sheet. If the model were infinitely tall, it would become a cone.
During plastic injection molding, to easily remove the plastic molded part from the mold, a draft angle must typically be applied. A draft angle is a slope applied to the surface of a model that helps in removing the model from the material sheet. If the model were infinitely tall, it would become a cone.
3D Print Layer Lines
Due to the manufacturing process, 3D printed objects often have a unique surface texture. Even if many materials visually hide layer lines, they are still present, and the FormBox is excellent at picking up these textures.
Due to the manufacturing process, 3D printed objects often have a unique surface texture. Even if many materials visually hide layer lines, they are still present, and the FormBox is excellent at picking up these textures.
If you want a smooth surface on your mold, the first thing is to 3D print with thin layers. Using 0.1mm layers for 3D printing will produce a smoother surface. But if you want a perfect surface, you'll need to post-process the part. Using filler and sanding is the simplest method, although this method is not suitable for small details. Perhaps sandblasting is a better option.
Avoid Sharp Angles
Due to the manufacturing process, vacuum forming is not suitable for objects with sharp angles. The main reason is that the plastic sheet may fold back on itself at sharp edges, reducing the quality of the molding.
Avoid Sharp Angles
Due to the manufacturing process, vacuum forming is not suitable for objects with sharp angles. The main reason is that the plastic sheet may fold back on itself at sharp edges, reducing the quality of the molding.
For example, if a star-shaped object is used as a template, the tips of the star may produce webbing because the angles are very sharp. On the other hand, a pentagonal template or a star template with rounded corners will produce high-quality molds because there are no sharp angles.
Chamfer All Edges
In plastic injection molding, chamfering the edges of a model is very common. Chamfering not only improves ergonomics but also helps the model release from the plastic sheet. A 2mm chamfer can reduce webbing and improve the surface finish of the mold.
Chamfer All Edges
In plastic injection molding, chamfering the edges of a model is very common. Chamfering not only improves ergonomics but also helps the model release from the plastic sheet. A 2mm chamfer can reduce webbing and improve the surface finish of the mold.
Add Air Holes
The better the airflow, the more detail the mold will have. When the material sheet is deposited on the object, there is a very small time window during which the material sheet is hot enough for the air to move. You want the air to flow as quickly as possible, which will result in the material sheet capturing better details.
The better the airflow, the more detail the mold will have. When the material sheet is deposited on the object, there is a very small time window during which the material sheet is hot enough for the air to move. You want the air to flow as quickly as possible, which will result in the material sheet capturing better details.
If there are parts in your mold design where air might get trapped, it's recommended to add small holes where the air can move. A 1mm hole on the mold is barely visible to the naked eye but will greatly improve the quality of the mold.
Object Height and Width
The maximum mold size that can be made with the FormBox is determined by the complexity of the overall shape. A little trick is that wider objects are easier to form than taller objects.
Object Height and Width
The maximum mold size that can be made with the FormBox is determined by the complexity of the overall shape. A little trick is that wider objects are easier to form than taller objects.
If all factors are considered, the FormBox can still form tall objects. Generally, it is recommended to use objects that are wider than they are tall, or to use larger draft angles in conjunction.
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References
Do you like this sharing? 3DMart offers more than just 3D printing. Contact us now to learn more about vacuum forming applications.
Follow our fan page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
https://www.instagram.com/3dmart/
References