Vacuum Forming

Vacuum Forming

Nazdar fully tests all inks for a wide variety of applications; this includes vacuum forming. Vacuum forming involves heating a substrate until it becomes malleable, then creating a vacuum to mold it to a form. The chemists at Nazdar's Research and Development department ensure that Nazdar inks can withstand this process and retain top quality.

Forming substrates include:

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PETG)
• Polycarbonate
• Styrene (used in the demo above)
• Other stiff substrates that are not too thick to be heated to malleability

Note: The substrate must be the correct size for the former (12"x12" in the demo above).

The Vacuum Forming Process:

1. The print is placed on the former and locked in place.
2. The heating element is slid over the substrate.
3. The substrate is heated for 75 seconds (depending on substrate).
   • Adequate heating is essential, to ensure that the substrate is malleable enough to stretch and does not pull out from locks.
4. The heating element is slid back, and the vacuum is turned on.
5. The form is slowly raised, stretching the substrate.
6. The vacuum is removes the air, molding the substrate to the form.
7. The locks are released and the vacuum is turned off.
8. The substrate is removed and cut off the form.
9. The ink is inspected for:
   • Cracking
   • Stretching
   • Adhesion

Note: Some thinning of the ink is not uncommon.

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