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

How Vacuum Forming Works

To mold a vacuum-formed product, the plastic sheet is first placed into a frame and heated until it becomes soft. Once the material is ready, it is draped over a pattern, and a vacuum is applied to pull the material tightly over the mold, achieving the desired shape.

Once molded, the formed part is set aside to cool before refining the excess plastic. The final product is then trimmed to remove unwanted material and finished for assembly.

Applications of Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming finds its benefits in sectors such as aerospace for creating customized plastic parts. Some frequent products made using vacuum forming include:

• Automotive parts


• Clamshell containers


• Medical device casings


• Store signage

 

Advantages of Vacuum Forming

One of the biggest advantages of vacuum forming is its affordability. Other notable benefits include:

• Rapid production


• Economical setup


• Customizable shapes


• Lightweight materials

 

Conclusion

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