Formech 1372

Thermoform machine

• Small: 450 x 450mm (The maximum size for the mould is: 410 x 410mm)
• Large: 1330 x 620mm (The maximum size for the mould is: 1290 x 580mm)

• Small: 500 x 500 mm
• Large: 1370 x 660mm

Vacuum Forming Guide

Transparent, glossy surface.

PMMA samples

PMMA is also known as Acryl. It has a glossy surface.

polystyrene samples

Uncut sheets. These can be used for the large and small forming area.

startup cost + ( plastic sheet cost * plastic sheet count * material multiplier )
+
( machine time (minutes) * machine time cost )

• startup cost: €2: only when vacuum form machine is used
• plastic sheet cost: cost sheet, including VAT and transportation
• material multiplier: 30%: item cost * 1,3
• machine time cost: €5 per hour (€0,08333333 per minute)

HIPS - high impact polystyrene

• Typical uses: display, packaging & light weight internal applications
• Strength: Moderate
• Brand names: no specific brands listed.
• Formability: Easy
• Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
• Forming temp range: 150–175°C
• Conclusion: an entry level plastic, easy to form & not expensive

PETG - Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified

• Typical uses: Clear covers & reverse printed signage
• Strength: impact resistant. Stronger than HIPS
• Brand names: Vivak, Spectar
• Formability: Easy
• Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
• Forming temp range: 120–160°C
• Conclusion: Easy to form and stronger than HIPS, ±50% more expensive

HDPE - High density polyethylene

• Typical uses: Outdoor play equipment, pond liners
• Strength: very impact resistant
• Brand names: no specific brands listed.
• Formability: webs easily due to stretching and will seek out any gaps in tooling & lose vacuum
• Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
• Forming temp range: 150–180°C
• Conclusion:Very good impact resistance, tricky to get good results – similar price to PP

PP - polypropylene

• Typical uses: Outdoor furniture and packaging applications
• Strength: Rugged and chemical resistant
• Brand names: no specific brands listed.
• Formability: webs easily due to stretching and will seek out any gaps in tooling & lose vacuum
• Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
• Forming temp range: 150–180°C
• Conclusion: Very good impact resistance, tricky to get good results – similar price to HDPE

ABS - Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

• hygroscopic

PC - polycarbonate

• hygroscopic
• cools down really fast
• Forming temp range: 175–225°C
• Formech: Polycarbonate is a challenging material to form at the best of times but it can be formed on all of our machines providing the correct procedures are followed. 4mm PC should really be formed using a double heater machine. If you can use clear PETG life is a lot easier. It’s not quite as impact resistant as PC but it does not need to be pre-dried which is a real benefit.
  If you don’t have the facilities to pre-dry the material, then you are at a disadvantage because the material is unlikely to reach the correct forming temperature. PC should be formed at between 175C – 225C. You will also need to pre-dry the material (with the protective film covering removed) in an oven for a few hours before forming to reach these temperatures, otherwise you will get blistering on the sheet because of the water content. Please note that 4mm PC would probably require drying for at least 12 hours to get rid of all the moisture. Each sheet within the oven would also need to be spaced apart with 25mm between each sheet to get the correct air circulation. You also cannot tell what the water content of each sheet is until your form the sheet and see the blistering. Some sheets may need less time in the oven, but most people assume the worst and pre-dry the material for 12 – 24 hours.

PVC - polyvinyl chloride

• when burnt, gives off hydrochloric acid

PMMA - Poly(methyl methacrylate)

• brand name: Acryl
• hygroscopic
• brittle

PET - Polyethylene terephthalate

• Narrow heating band
• will crystallise if over heated