Vacuform or Plunge Moulding question

[Spey_Phantom]

i have a problem, ive been looking into getting into making my own canopies. to do this, ive been looking at both Vacuforming and plunge moulding.

while i have figured out how to make the moulds and the vacuform box, ive been struggling on how to make the frame that holds the material (clear blisterpack plastic). how to you make the holding frame, as i cant seem to find a sollution without burning my hands over candle.

ive seen video's of people using a heat gun and a cardboard frame, but that latter to me seems like a fire hazard.

[PR19_Kit]

How about cutting the frame from plywood or MDC? My, admittedly bought, vacform machine has one just like that, and it works fine.

I put the whole frame, and styrene or whatever, in the oven at around 200C and when it goes floppy I quickly whizz it onto the machine and get the Hoover going. It's about 75% successful most times.



On the other hand I've plunge moulded quite deep draws in the past too.

[kerick]

The cardboard frame seems very iffy to me. I would try the plywood/MDF over metal as you would lose a lot of heat with metal. What kit has looks good.

[scautomoton]

I bought an A5 sized vacuum former from The 'Bay for £45, and A5 sized PETG is readily available (if a tad pricey). Works well for me, I've produced a number of canopies so far. The hardest thing is to eliminate dust.