Belovac Vacuum Forming Machine: Difference between revisions
From Pumping Station One
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# Insert sheet of material into Frame | # Insert sheet of material into Frame. | ||
|[[File:Bvf_frame_open_small.jpg|300px]] | |[[File:Bvf_frame_open_small.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Close the frame latch to the secure the material | # Close the frame latch to the secure the material. | ||
|[[File:Bvf_frame_latch_small.jpg|310px]] | |[[File:Bvf_frame_latch_small.jpg|310px]] | ||
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# Secure Buck/Form/Mould to Vacuum table. | # Secure Buck/Form/Mould to Vacuum table. If it is heavy enough and does not stick, it may not need to be secured. | ||
Note: it is recommended to have the mold be a bit taller than desired part, to allow space for cut separation. | Note: it is recommended to have the mold be a bit taller than desired part, to allow space for cut separation. | ||
# Check seals around material and mold | # Check seals around material and mold. | ||
Note: If material is not thick enough, it may slip out of the frame. | |||
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# Select Duty Cycle for Heating Elements. | # Select '''On''' Percentage Duty Cycle (0%-100%) for Heating Elements. It is on a 15 second timer. | ||
Note: This controls the cycle time of the heating elements being On, then Off. | Note: This controls the cycle time of the heating elements being On (at dial), then Off (top of timer). | ||
|[[File:Bvf_heat_duty_cycle.jpg|300px]] | |[[File:Bvf_heat_duty_cycle.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Connect Pneumatic Hose. This allows one to raise/lower the platform. | # Connect Pneumatic Hose. This allows one to raise/lower the platform. | ||
Note: It can be borrowed from the CNC Plasma Cutter, if not in use. | Note: It can be borrowed from the CNC Plasma Cutter, if not in use. | ||
Note: The main valve with yellow handle, behind the CNC Plasma cutter, above the large tank, may be closed if there is no air. | |||
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[[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_01.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_01.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Turn on Heating Element | # Turn on Heating Element | ||
Note: You will see the Timer begin to rotate. | |||
|[[File:Bvf control panel.jpeg|300px]] | |[[File:Bvf control panel.jpeg|300px]] | ||
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# Move material frame into heater | # Move material frame into heater. | ||
|[[File:Bvf_heat_1.jpg|300px]] | |[[File:Bvf_heat_1.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Close Vacuum Valve | # Close Vacuum Valve (facing valve, rotate clockwise, with handle position pointing to the left at final position.) | ||
# Turn on pump, to begin to build vacuum | # Turn on pump, to begin to build vacuum. | ||
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[[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Visually check if heating element is on and if material is warming | # Visually check if heating element is on and if material is warming | ||
# Visually check if material is sagging and ready | Note: The heating elements will visibly glow red. | ||
# Visually check if material is sagging and ready. | |||
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[[File:Bvf heat 1.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf heat 1.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Pull Material frame forward (towards front/away from heaters) | # Pull Material frame forward (towards front/away from heaters). | ||
# Inspect Plastic is ready (sufficiently heated/soft) | # Inspect Plastic is ready (sufficiently heated/soft). | ||
|[[File:Bvf_frame_forward.jpg|300px]] | |[[File:Bvf_frame_forward.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Make certain area is clear before raising bed/platen/platform | # Make certain area is clear before raising bed/platen/platform. | ||
# push lever | # push lever up to raise vacuum bed/platen/platform. | ||
Note: It is a 3 position pnuematic valve. Center position, holds platform at current position. | |||
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[[File:Bvf_platform.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf_platform.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Open Vacuum Valve. You should see the plastic part quickly take the shape of the mold. | # Open Vacuum Valve (rotate counter clockwise, with handle position pointing down at final position). | ||
# Monitor pull of material over mold | # You should see the plastic part quickly take the shape of the mold. | ||
# Monitor pull of material over mold. | |||
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[[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# Close Vacuum Valve to Turn off Vacuum, when part is ready. | # Close Vacuum Valve to Turn off Vacuum, when part is ready. | ||
# Allow part sufficient time to cool, before separation. This time frame is dependent on the thickness of your material. | # Allow part sufficient time to cool, before separation. This time frame is dependent on the thickness of your material. | ||
# Push bed/platen/platform lever | # Push bed/platen/platform lever down to lower platform and pull mold away from formed part. | ||
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[[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | ||
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# On Control panel, Turn Heater switch to Off position. | # On Control panel, Turn Heater switch to Off position. | ||
# On Control panel, Turn Vacuum switch to Off position. | # On Control panel, Turn Vacuum switch to Off position. | ||
# Open Vacuum Valve, to release any remaining vacuum in the tank. | # Open Vacuum Valve (rotate counter clockwise, with handle pointing down), to release any remaining vacuum in the tank. | ||
# Disconnect pneumatic hose. Return to CNC Plasma Cutter. | # Push platform lever down, to release air pressure from pneumatic hose. (Hose will momentarily whip around at next step if air is not released) | ||
# Disconnect pneumatic hose. Return to CNC Plasma Cutter. | |||
# Turn off machine power. | # Turn off machine power. | ||
# Turn off Main Wall power. | # Turn off Main Wall power. | ||
