A Guide to Thermoforming
THERMOFORMING AND TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
VACUUM FORMING GUIDE
courtesy of Leroy M. Boser 574-370-2003
Table of Contents
PREFACE…………………………………………………………………………………..1
DESCRIPTION OF VACUUM FORMING………………………………………………1
VACUUM FORMING TECHNIQUES …………………………………………………..1
1. DRAPE FORMING – BOTTOM (Figure 1.) ………………………………………….1
2. DRAPE FORMING – TOP ……………………………………………………………..4
3. PLUG ASSIST – BOTTOM (Figure 2.)………………………………………………4
4. PLUG ASSIST – TOP ………………………………………………………………….6
5. SNAP BACK – TOP See figure 3. ……………………………………………………7
6. SNAP BACK – BOTTOM See figure 3……………………………………………….9
7. BILLOW FORMING – FEMALE (BOTTOM) See figure 4. ……………………….10
8. BILLOW FORMING – FEMALE (TOP)……………………………………………..12
9. BILLOW FORMING – MALE (BOTTOM)…………………………………………..12
10. BILLOW FORMING – MALE (TOP) ………………………………………………13
11. ZERO GRAVITY …………………………………………………………………….13
12. PREBLOW PLUG ASSIST FORMING…………………………………………….15
13. TWIN SHEET FORMING (Figure 4.1) ……………………………………. ……15
14. MATCHED-MOLD THERMOFORMING (Figure 4.2)………………………….18
15. FREE FORMING OR BUBBLE FORMING……………………………………….18
16. HAND FORMING…………………………………………………………………..20
DRAW RATIOS………………………………………………………………………….21
IMPORTANT CONCERNS IN VACUUM FORMING………………………………..26
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