View source for Workshop/Vacuum Former

{{Equipment
| title = Vacuum Former
| description = Heats sheets of plastic until soft, then conforms it to a mold using a vacuum pump.
| manufacturer = Formech
| model = 300X
| image = Formech-300x-pre-refit.jpg
| owner = Katie Nicholls
| rfid = No
| more_link = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSu6h7ZW9W4
}}

'''The vacuum former is currently out of order and under restoration - it failed its past PAT test'''

This machine is used to form thin plastic shells around molds, or forms, held on the movable platten. A small vacuum pump is used to evacuate all the air from around the form and to suck the plastic tightly around it. After the plastic has cooled sufficiently the pump can be reversed to "blow" the plastic off the form.

The heating element has been replaced, but it still needs re-certifying as electrically safe.

It also needs a new vacpumnp/motor.

== Ceramic heating elements ==

[[File:Vacuum-former-broken-ceramic-element.jpg|250px|thumb|right|This flat element arrived with the machine already broken.]]

A number of heating elements are used to soften the plastic prior to forming. There are two different styles of elements - long thin rectangles used on the front and back edges and slight stubbier ones used in the centre. This allows the inner and outer sections to be turned on independently.

It is difficult to find long, flat heating elements with the correct dimensions (245 mm x 60 mm) but the companion element is of the curved style, readily available from eBay/[http://www.aliexpress.com/item/IR-Ceramic-Heater-Board-240-60MM-220V-230V-250W-White-Flat-Acr-Top-Upper-Infrared-Ceramic/1672912187.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.88.rhvHiS&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_10,searchweb201602_5_10034_507_10032_10020_10017_10005_10006_10021_10022_10009_10008_10018_10019,searchweb201603_6&btsid=b03ba4c7-66c9-4cff-880f-87e61098e5a5 AliExpress] for use in terrariums and BGA soldering stations.

== Mechanical Specifications ==

Max Material Size: 450mm x 300mm 

Max Forming Area: 430mm x 280mm 

Max Depth of Draw: 160mm 

Overall Width: 650mm 

Overall Height: 530mm

Overall Length: 970mm Weight: 75Kg

== Electrical specifications ==

Standard voltage 220-240V 

Standard frequency 50/60Hz  

[[Category:Tools_and_Equipment]]