DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF PORTABLE VACUUM FORMING MACHINE

Abstract

This project aims at developing a portable vacuum forming machine for local industry and providing them an inexpensive yet reliable vacuum forming machine. Vacuum forming is a type of thermoforming process in which a thermoplastic sheet is heated to its pliable forming temperature and forced against a mold and shaped by creating a vacuum to force it. This machine is ideal for rapid prototyping in an industry that makes variety of customized products without consuming enormous number of resources. Our machine is capable of manufacturing products of 2ft by 2ft forming area with moving platen assembly and pivoted heater design, which are controlled using pneumatic actuators. The Machine has been designed to make use of standard market available materials and manufacturing capabilities with defined tolerance. Currently, there is not a single manufacturer of these machines in Pakistan. Although some companies have made vacuum forming machines available in the international market, but these are very expensive and have high import costs. Our goal is to start manufacturing of these machines locally to provide cost-effective solution to local manufacturers and businesses. This project holds a promising future for manufacturing companies with custom design products, as well as small scale manufacturers of packaging materials, along with an untapped potential in the education sector in Pakistan.