VacuumForm [Post 2]

The sagging of the PET-G proved to be extremely important to the quality of the resultant form. In the first two tests, the PET-G was allowed to sag between 4" and 6". But in both cases, the plastic popped at one of the large openings. We assume this was a result of overstretched material. In reality, the condition of each egg-crate opening is the same as the metal frame which holds the PET-G; the plastic is stretched through the heating process, then stretched again between each rib of the formwork. In order to compensate for this, we only let the PET-G sag to approximately 2" to 3" before removing it from the heat. This proved to be an improvement, as we didn't have any blow-outs, but still got moderate deformation through the fromwork.

[TEST 1]


Depth of slump at removal


Depth of slump at placement


Placement into formwork


Pet-G in formwork during vacuuming