Z Corporation Z810 System User Manual

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Z Corporation Z810 System User Manual Manual pdf 74 page image

Z Corporation Z810 System User Manualwww.zcorp-users.com 749.8 THERMOFORMINGThis process consists of heating a thermoplastic sheet to a formable plastic state and thenapplying air pressure and/or mechanical assists to shape it to the contours of a mold. In thisprocess, the air pressure may range from almost zero to several hundred psi. ‘Vacuum forming’ isthe term given when a pressure differential of up to approximately 14 psi (atmospheric pressure)is used. The pressure is obtained by evacuating the space between the sheet and the mold inorder to utilize this atmospheric pressure. Vacuum forming will give satisfactory reproduction ofthe mold configuration in the majority of forming applications. Manufacturers can use all types ofthermoplastic materials – PVC, polystyrenes, polyesters, acrylics etc. in this process.Making light gauge (plastic less than 0.060”) thermoforming molds for prototype parts is an idealuse for Z Corporation 3D Printers and plaster powder.For more information regarding the process and the industry, check out SPI’s website:www.plasticsindustry.org/index.htm where you can search SPI's Membership Directory & Buyer'sGuide for thermoformers.In the example below, the industrial designer wanted to get a feel of his design in the actualmaterial. He was able to generate a mold and produce a sample in a period of days.MOLD PROTOTYPEThe packaging company that produced the prototypes below uses the parts to generate samplesfor their sales department, who then use them to collect customer feedback.