Vacuum molding is a simplified version of thermoforming, whereby a sheet of plastic is heated to a forming temperature, stretched onto a single-surface mold, and forced against the mold by a vacuum (suction of air).
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The vacuum forming process can be used to make a wide variety of products such as space station interior wall panelling, housings for electronic and cryogenic devices and interesting looking pieces of trash (art).
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Most Thermoplastics can be vacuum molded. Currently we had positive experiences with 1mm Polystyrol, which is available in white and damn expensive at Modulor
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To get the full graps of how the table works, enjoy the video we took from the second test run with the table.
Now you can also look at the pictures here!
To built a vacuum molding table we first needed a tablesaw to rip all the wood to size. So we built one.
Took about one Friday night and left some time for some Beer after the machineoperations
This is the suction Box. It connects the legs of the device with the rest and it is an important central structural piece. On top of it will be the surface with the small holes, next to it on all four sides will be the folding arms.
The shelf for storing plastic sheets is finished, the suction box is mounted on top of it and the two clamping frames are also ready for assembly, laying on top of the yet loose sarrus linkages
Finally all the Sarrus Linkages are adjusted and screwed on. Took some time and effort to calibrate this!
It was a bit tricky to figure out where and in which angle to mount the different pieces. There are three more rollers that are not in the picture. In total we used 10 Rollers
The oven consists of a wooden box, a 40mm thick insulation of stone wool and then 1mm sheet metal on the inside. In it is a supportstructure from 15 by 15mm Aluminium Box Profile and on these are 12 IR Heating Elements mounted. Each draws 230V/600W
We wired up all the heating elements and mounted the wiring cabinet, the main switch and wired up the relays, switches and the sepparat RCDs in the Cabinet. Then a licensed electrican checked our work thoroughly.
From all the things that could've gone wrong, only the clamping frame failed a bit and needs some improvement! Overall we are very happy with the results
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When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.
When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.
When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.
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If you like to become part of the vacuum molding team - bad luck for you. We have not yet figured out the processes and steps for this. The vacuum molding table is quite a sensitive and dangerous device, so we need to be careful with who we allow to use it. Not because we dont trust you - but because spacestations are sensitive to fire.
The sheets need to be bigger then 1000mm by 1000mm and smaller then 1010mm by 1010mm. The thickness must not exceed 3mm.
Opinions of c-base members regarding this project.
"I hope Ijon is finishing the vacuum molding table soon. He should better focus on building the monorail!"
jaseg
c-lab member
"I dont understand why we need this device! It is ridiculous, much too expensive and took way too long to build! Ijon asked three times for even more and more money. Lets stop this madness!"
Miramar
member
"Magnificent machine!"
Prof. Kirsch
construction crew
"It is very important that this machine keeps on sucking hard! Currently, it just sucks." (Bergius)
We are looking for donations, so we can buy in bigger quantitys. This might reduce the price to about 5€ per sheet.
If you like to donate money for buying more sheets, please
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