Easier Vacuforming with Sintra

One of the other projects enhanced by the Variac is the vacuformer.  It consists of two parts: a box with a heating element that melts plastic (background) and a perforated box which sucks the softened plastic down over a heat-resistant form (foreground).  Prior to the Variac, we’d had problems damaging the plastic sheet, because it was heated too rapidly.  Now, we can adjust the heat very precisely and results are much better.

Note: The reason for the incomplete formations in the black plastic (Sintra) is that both the objects used as forms were heavy, metal and cold; The plastic cooled too rapidly, before a good impression could be achieved.

The vacuforming equipment (both the heater box and vacuum bed) are stored in the “TOOLS” cabinet.  There are several shop vacs to be had, typically stored below one of the benches in the “less clean” area.

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