How to Make Almost Anything > John's class Homepage > Injection Molding & Vacuum Forming
Plastics: The Injection Molder
& The Vacuum Former
This 7th assignment we are
to use the injection molder and the vacuum former. Injection Molder: ·
There is a tutorial online somewhere. ·
Material is an a plastic bag. Various colors are
available. ·
Add material to the bin in the back. Fill ·
Put in colored beads as you wish. It doesn’t need many for
color. ·
Put in plate on base to purge system. ·
Recommended temperature settings: top: 260, middle: 260,
bottom 300. Typically there sould be a 40-50 degree difference between the
top & middle, and the bottom ·
The Black knob in the back adjusts pressure. ·
Purge material: press green START button ·
Engage carriage. Inject (a few seconds) ·
Extrude --- hold. This sucks in new material for the next
injection. The piston should be turning and pulling up. ·
Bring carriage up and remove plate. ·
Purge 2X ·
Place mold in holders ·
Insert in machine. Line up injection holes. Spruce should
be on right hand side. ·
Turn knob on right counterclockwise to lower pressure. ·
Auto: 1.
turn timers on 2.
adjust material with front black knob ·
Basic adjustments: 1.
Pressure 2.
Amount to extrude I
molded the top of a Legos block, which is a test block for my final Legatos
project. Using the injection molder was a relatively small project compared
to getting the block ready for the NC mill and getting the mill to
successfully create the block. Pictures coming soon. Vacuum Former: ·
Use PetG material ·
Peal off protective
coating on both sides ·
Place items that you
will mold over on the bed. ·
Lower bed. ·
Sandwich PetG between
upper and lower plates (make sure 2 gaskets align) and lock ·
Put 6 heaters on full ·
Slide top over PetG
material ·
Wait a few minutes
until plastic drapes 1.5” or so ·
When ready, pull up
and press MOULD ·
Press RELEASE after a
few seconds I formed around a few Legos
blocks, to see if by any chance there would actually be enough accuracy to
have the mold function as a Lego. Wishful thinking. But the mold works well
to store Legos, and I will make more molds in the future to store my Legatos
final project. Pictures coming soon. |
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