A Guide to Vacuum Forming

A Guide to Vacuum Forming

Blog Article

One of the most Vacuum Forming common plastic fabrication methods, Vacuum forming is used to create a wide range of products by using heat and vacuum suction to shape polymer sheets over molds.

Vacuum Forming Procedure

To produce a vacuum-formed product, the plastic sheet is first mounted into a frame and heated until it becomes flexible. Once the material is ready, it is positioned over a pattern, and a vacuum is applied to pull the material tightly over the mold, creating the intended shape.

Once molded, the formed part is left to cool before trimming the excess plastic. The final product is then refined to remove unwanted material and processed for assembly.

Applications of Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming finds its uses in markets such as retail for creating durable plastic parts. Some typical products made using vacuum forming include:

• Automotive parts


• Blister packs


• Medical device casings


• Point-of-sale stands

Advantages of Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming is a fast method for producing reliable plastic parts with minimal tooling costs. Other key benefits include:

• Quick turnaround


• Affordable molds


• Flexibility in design


• Durability

Final Thoughts

Vacuum forming is a reliable process that allows the creation of custom plastic products at a low cost.