Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
#85756 VACUUM FORMING MACHINE – STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Unpack the machine and place it onyour workbench in the positionshown. Notice that the orange handleis in the horizontal position and thetwo control switches on the front ofthe machine are in the OFF position.Plug the line cord into a wall outlet.Note: The heater draws a lot ofcurrent, so try to avoid using anextension cord that could overheat.
1
Use diagonal cutters or a knife tosnip the cable tie holding the frameparts during shipment.
2
Rotate the heater all the way to theleft to get it out of the way for thenext few steps.
3
Optional – Pour the metal beads intothe vacuum chamber. The beads actas a way to support patterns withirregular bottoms. If your pattern hasa smooth bottom, you may elect toskip this step.
4
Use your fingers to spread out themetal beads evenly in the vacuumchamber.
5
Place your pattern in the chamber.
6
Use your fingers to push the metalbeads around the bottom perimeterof your pattern. This will keep theplastic from wrapping around thepattern, making it difficult to removelater in the process.
7
Swing up the top half of the frame.It should stay in place.
8
Insert a 5” x 5” sheet of plastic intothe recess in the bottom frame.
Note: Not for usewith polycarbonate.
9
Swing down the top frame and pullthe latch knob over the tongue tolock it in place. This will clamp thetwo frames together and hold theplastic ready for heating and forming.
10
Push the orange handle down tolatch the metal frame in the UPposition.
11
Turn on the heater.
12
The basic procedure: A pattern is placed in the vacuum chamber. A sheet of thin plastic is suspended above it in a
metal frame. A heater located above the plastic causes it to soften, at which time the vacuum is turned on and the plastic is
moved downward over the pattern. Vacuum draws the soft plastic around the pattern and makes a copy of the pattern shape.
When the plastic cools, it is removed from the chamber and excess trimmed away.
340 Snyder Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Tech Support: 908-464-1094, weekdays, 1pm to 5pm ET
www.micromark.com • [email protected]
Moving quickly, turn off the Heat.Then, turn on the vacuum using the“Model” switch, and…
See note below*
*Note: If the heater and vacuum are running at the same time, the machinewill draw between 15 and 20 amps and a 15-amp circuit breaker may trip.
14
…raise the orange handle to lowerthe softened plastic onto the pattern.
15
After about 8 seconds (to allow theplastic to cool), turn off the vacuum.
16
Grab the heater knob (do not touchthe metal part of the machine – itgets HOT!). Swing the heater over thecenter of the plastic sheet and watchfor the plastic to soften and sag downin the frame about ¾”. Experimentwith different amounts of sag fordifferent plastics; your experience willhelp judge when to do the next step.
13
Unlock the frame and swing up thetop half.
18
Remove the plastic sheet from thevacuum chamber. Watch out for allthe metal beads that may stick to theplastic. Pop them out over a largetray or pan to catch them for re-use.
19
Remove the pattern from the plasticsheet.
20
Swing aside the heater.
17
In this sample, we made a coal load for an HO scale hopper car. It can nowbe installed in the car.
22
Cut excess plastic sheet from thevacuum formed part.
21
T H E S M A L L T O O L S P E C I A L I S T S340 Snyder Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
www.micromark.com • Tech Support: 908-464-1094, weekdays, 1pm to 5pm ET • [email protected] MM091613
