| I am going to try to tell you in as few words as | | | | piece of plastic is clamped into its frame and |
| possible, how vacuum formed molds are made. | | | | heated. |
| The first step is making the "buck". This is the | | | | As soon as the plastic has reached it flow |
| name of the piece that the forming will be done | | | | temperature it is pressed down onto the buck |
| over. | | | | and vacuum is applied at the same time. |
| This has to be smooth, strong, heat resistant, and | | | | The plastic forms over the buck and cools. This |
| free of undercuts. The smooth part is self | | | | takes about 15 seconds! |
| explanatory. The strong part is so that it will not | | | | Once it has cooled (about 30 seconds) you pop |
| be crushed when the plastic is being formed over | | | | the buck out, take the plastic out of its clamp |
| it. The heat resistant part is because the plastic is | | | | frame and trim out the mold! |
| at about 300 degrees F. | | | | This method can be used in 90% of the molds |
| And no undercuts is so that you will be able to | | | | you will want to make. I would advise against |
| get your piece out of the mold without having to | | | | trying to make the more complicated and |
| cut the mold off. All these are of equal | | | | expensive rubber molds until you can whip off a |
| importance. They all must be done, and done right! | | | | couple of this style in a day without any problem. |
| This is the time consuming part of making the | | | | That's it!! |
| molds. | | | | Copyright © 2005 Delmar Germyn All Rights |
| Once this has been done the buck is placed on he | | | | Reserved. |
| table of the vacuum forming machine. The blank | | | | |