1 Topic by truthbomber

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Topic: vacuum forming flexible objects?

I need to create some domes/hemispheres of various sizes from 80cm to 120cm.
The shape is pretty basic, example:
http://www.cmspinning.com/images/hemisp … _large.jpg

The domes have to be foldable into smaller pieces for easy transportation and storage. Think heavy duty rubber gloves but just dome shape. Would like to know if there are flexible sheet materials available to create these domes I could vacuum form like we vacuum form rigid objects. I can create the form for the vacuum forming process easily.

I understand there might be rubber domes available for sale so I wont waste time making my own but I'm going to make slight changes to the perfect dome shape so I need to make my own.

Thanks in advance.

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: vacuum forming flexible objects?

Have you tried Googling things like vacuum forming rubber, vinyl, or similar known flexible materials?

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3 Reply by truthbomber (edited by truthbomber 2017-10-05 23:27:38)

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Re: vacuum forming flexible objects?

of course Ive tried that.
I only get silicone or rubber "membranes/bladders" in the results which correct me if I'm wrong is something you press on top of the forming material to sandwhich the heated plastic between it and the form and get more intricate results. The silicone membrane is not itself used as a material for vacuum forming. Correct me if I'm wrong, or if my google skills are terrible this one time for some reason.

4 Reply by truthbomber (edited by truthbomber 2017-10-06 19:28:43)

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Re: vacuum forming flexible objects?

Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR)? I could only find info on whether these can be vacuum formed in one place, a Stratasys document, where it says it is possible. But cant find actual examples anywhere. http://usglobalimages.stratasys.com/Mai … 0100933346 (check the "VACUUM FORMING MATERIALS" table)

Quote from above document: "Virtually any thermoplastic that is available as extruded sheet stock may be used (see figure 1). And unlike injection or blow molding processes, wall thicknesses can range from foils to thick-gauge stock—thicknesses ranging from 0.0005 to 0.50 inch (0.0127 to 12.7 mm)"

Still, found zero examples or videos on the internet actually doing it with an ordinary vacuum forming machine, or where one of the above 3 materials can be sourced.

5 Reply by truthbomber

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Re: vacuum forming flexible objects?

I tried to find the above materials in sheets (specifically TPE, thermoplastic elastomer) to test myself, but couldnt find anywhere for sale. Can someone help me source these? Ill post my results here after i get and test them.

6 Reply by truthbomber

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Re: vacuum forming flexible objects?

Damn, its even hard to source these materials to try them out, but I'll try to source them at reasonable quantities and sizes and test them out.
EVA foam also seems an option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8HNDvPnhyk But not sure if the formed part compresses and becomes hardened and loses elasticity and flexibility after forming or not.