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Operation - Manual Functions
The vacuum forming process
• Pull the heater forwards over the clamped plastic.
• Activate the auto-level if required by touching the button so it shows green . If the plastic is sagging
and not being heated evenly then the auto-level feature is used to keep the plastic level while the heater is
forward and until ready to form a mould.
• As the plastic heats up it may begin to rise slightly. It will then soften and begin to drop back.
• When performing an initial forming it will be necessary to check the progress of heating as this will vary
with plastic type, thickness and colour. Push the heater back slightly to test the softness of the plastic ma-
nually or to observe its state. Continue with heating until it is soft enough to form. When the plastic softness
is correct push back the heater fully back.
• Press the PRE-STRETCH button to inflate the plastic before moulding if required. This feature is
particularly useful if the mould is high because it keeps the plastic at a more even thickness throughout the
moulding. If the moulding is quite high it may be necessary to pre-stretch the plastic before moulding takes
place.
• Press the two TABLE UP buttons simultaneously and hold until the table is fully raised. Then press the VA-
CUUM icon to latch on the vacuum. The moulding will form around the tooling.
• The AUTO-VACUUM feature may be enabled before bring the table up. This feature will start the
vacuum automatically when the table rises. The trigger point of the auto-vacuum sensor may be adjusted if
required.
• At the appropriate time when the plastic has formed around the mould tool the fans may be turned on to
start the plastic cooling process – press the FAN icon . When the moulding is adequately cooled, press
the fan icon again to turn it off.
• Once the plastic has cooled sufficiently the RELEASE icon may be pressed to blow the moulding off
the mould. Too long or too soon a release may distort the moulding.
• Once released the moulding is now complete and the table may be lowered. Press the TABLE DOWN
icon and ensure the moulding has released from the mould tool. Ensure the table has reached its lower posi-
tion. Release the clamp frame to remove the moulding for inspection.
• Review the results and determine the parameters required to produce the forming. Use the settings mode
to set and record the values for later recall.
AUTO
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