Louisiana Tech University Vacuum Former Assembly Guide
Overview This is a general guideline for assembling the vacuum former kits 11/16/2018
Parts in the kit 11/16/2018
List of Parts in Kit Vacuum Box: Hot box: Miscellaneous: 4 – 19”x1”x2” 2 – support blocks 2 – 15”x19” sheets of plywood Hot box: 1 - Base 2 – 19” sides 2 – 15” sides Miscellaneous: Wood Glue Caulk Wood Screws Weather Stripping 2 – Hinges 1 – Latch Aluminum foil Thumb Tacks Shop Vacuum Heat Gun 11/16/2018
List of Tools Required Power Hand Drill Masking Tape Scissors Hammer 11/16/2018
Hot Box (1) Apply wood glue to joints and fit pieces together 11/16/2018
Hot Box (2) Tape together until glue dries 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (1) 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (2) Assemble sides, then screw to base 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (3) Screw supports to center of base 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (4) Apply Caulk to seams 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (5) Drill holes in top plate 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (6) Apply caulk to top of sides before attaching top plate 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (7) Be sure the screws are seated flush or below the top plate 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (8) Apply the weather stripping around the perimeter 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (9) Be sure there are no gaps in the weather strips 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (10) Assemble the frame 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (11) 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (12) Attach hinges Pro tip: line the center of the hinge with the weather strip 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (13) 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (14) Attach latch to the opposite side than the hinges Pro tip: attach the bottom half first, then the top 11/16/2018
Vacuum Box (15) Apply weather strips to the inside of the vacuum hole 11/16/2018
Hot Box (3) Drape tin foil inside the hot box Poke a hole in the tin foil to insert the heat gun 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (1) Attach styrene sheet to frame with thumb tacks 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (2) Place frame over hot box (put hot box on a stool) 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (3) Place object being formed on the vacuum box 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (4) Apply heat through side of hot box The styrene sheet will warp when heated When the sheet is hot enough, it will flatten out 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (5) Once sheet is hot enough, quickly swing the frame over the vacuum box and latch Turn the vacuum on until the plastic is rigid 11/16/2018
Vacuum Forming (6) Remove object and trim styrene 11/16/2018