CNC and casting methods are used to make the vacuum forming mold. Of course, nowadays the casting method is almost obsolete and the CNC method has taken its place. To make aluminum vacuum forming mold with CNC machine, you must first design the mold design by computer. The design of the mold using the software makes it to be designed in a completely accurate and detailed way and the mold is produced in the best way. After the design of the mold is done on the computer, the device must be programmed. The CNC machine also machines the mold according to the design with high precision. In relation to the advantages of making a vacuum forming mold through a CNC machine, it is necessary to mention high accuracy, repeatability, high speed and the possibility of making complex molds.
Devices
There are several devices used in the vacuum forming process, which we will introduce below. The machines for producing vacuum forming parts are divided into automatic and semi-automatic, these machines do not differ much in the production mechanism, and the main difference is in the amount of operator intervention and the speed of parts production.
Automatic vacuum machine
The automatic vacuum forming machine is bigger than the semi-automatic machine, it has a higher production speed and it can be said that the operator's involvement in this machine is 20% and most of the process is done by the machine itself. This device includes a sheet picker, a mold, a heater, a cooling gun and a vacuum pump, each of which has a specific function. The production process in this machine is such that PVC film or other thermoplastics are automatically entered from one side of the machine, and after vacuuming and shaping, they come out from the other side. This device is controlled by PLC system.
Semi-automatic vacuum machine
The semi-automatic vacuum forming machine has a lower production speed because 50% of the work is done manually by the operator and it is also fed with PVC sheet or other thermoplastics. The production process in this machine is such that the operator places the sheet in the sheeter and then the sheet sits on the mold and takes the shape of the mold, after cooling the formed piece is separated from the mold.