The vacuum former heats a sheet of plastic until it is stretchy and flexible, then uses a vacuum to suck the plastic down tight against a 3D object, or “plug.” Once the plastic cools and hardens, you can pull out the plug without deforming the plastic. It typically uses thin sheets of plastic that can be either transparent or opaque, and is great for low relief one-part molds. Moldmaking on the vacuum former can be done on positives (the item you are making a mold of) made from wood, plastic, metal, and more! Many members make their positive form, or ‘buck’, on the lasers or 3D printers, then bring them to the vacuum former for moldmaking.
This machine is great for making masks, chocolate molds, custom tool cases, food packaging, and tons of other stuff. MADE members have used it to make custom Halloween jello molds, intricate chocolate molds, shells for night lights, and so much more.
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