How to make a vacuum forming machine from thrift-store parts
Whether you are trying to make an exact replica of a famous movie prop or creating a small run of products for your business, vacuum forming is a precise and inexpensive way to create exact duplicates of an item in a short amount of time.
Whether you are trying to make an exact replica of a famous movie prop or creating a small run of products for your business, vacuum forming is a precise and inexpensive way to create exact duplicates of an item in a short amount of time. If you are unfamiliar with the process, vacuum forming is a manufacturing method by which a sheet of plastic is heated and pressed over a form to create a part. Although the process may seem difficult and expensive, all you really need to build your own vacuum forming machine is a toaster oven and a shop vacuum. Bill Doran from the YouTube channel Punished Props Academy demonstrates the DIY process in a recent video.
Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector.
