Vacuum Forming Machine Design
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Date
2022
Authors
Ahmad Hamadneh
Hamdan Awayes
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Abstract
This project consists of designing and creating a vacuum forming machine. It aims to use simple
and economic materials for the making of a reliable machine that makes products with
acceptable dimensions and finishes to integrate them within the local market. The applications of
the machine are expected to meet the increasing local demands on products of relatively small
quantities. In addition, Vacuum-forming helps with what is called “Rapid Prototyping” that
allows the development of new products and prototypes over simple wood patterns. This grants
the owner of the machine good control over their small business. Vacuum forming machines are
hard to buy due to their high prices and the complexity of importing such machines here in
Palestine. In this project, we built the vacuum forming machine from scratch. We had done so by
studying the process of vacuum forming and then made decisions for the parts and sizes based on
the electrical, mechanical and software nature of the machine desired. These parts are assembled
and put together in the most efficient manner to get the best possible outcome.
The machine works with different types of thermoplastics; it deals with each type of plastic
depending on its chemical properties and thickness by controlling the heating time to get the best
results.
The main objectives of this project are:
1. To build a reliable Vacuum Forming machine.
2. To provide model makers, design studios, product R & D labs, and college students with cheap
and acceptable designs as an alternative to the 3D printer or CNC machined parts that are usually
more expensive. Noting that in the West Bank there are no vendors that offer Vacuum-forming
services for relatively small quantities.
3. Help small businesses by providing them with a good vacuum forming services while not
requiring very large quantities to be produced.