If you would like to manufacture commercial plastic products through vacuum moulding, you should think about the formation of your mould. The mould, which is also known as tooling, is a central element in the transformation of plastic sheets into specific designs. Therefore, if you do not choose a reliable material for the creation of the tooling, the quality of final products will be poor and compromised. Here are some core guidelines for selecting the perfect materials for fabricating the best vacuum-forming moulds.
Consider the Production Scale
When choosing a material for vacuum-forming tooling, it is important to consider the scale of production. In general, if you are planning on producing a lot of products using your mould, you might want to choose a tough and durable material. For instance, metal is a suitable choice for moulds if you are interested in high-volume fabrication. This is also a good choice for long-term fabrication of a specific product. If you have a durable mould, you will not need to invest in new tooling. For smaller production runs, lighter materials like medium-density fibreboard or wood moulds are adequate.
Think about Surface Texture
You should think about the texture of different materials before choosing the ideal one for your vacuum-forming project. In general, this plastic fabrication method involves heating thermoplastic sheets and forcing them to conform to the shape of a mould by using a vacuum pump. The use of the vacuum pump means that the plastic sheet will stick closely to the mould. If there are blemishes on the mould, the final product will not be refined. Therefore, it is advisable to look for materials which have a surface which matches your needs. For instance, cast resin tools have a refined and smooth surface when sanded. Cast metals can be significantly porous, so you should plan for refinishing for smooth products.
Calculate the Potential Costs
It is important to compare the cost of different tooling for your project. Detailed calculations should help you opt for the most economical option. When choosing mould material, you should keep in mind that price and cost can be quite different. For instance, lower quality materials such as MDF are cheaper to purchase. However, if you plan to manufacture the same plastic products through vacuum moulding for a prolonged period, metal will cost less. After all, the service life of metal tools is prolonged due to metal's intrinsic strength. Consider choosing cast aluminium and steel moulds for these types of projects.
Contact a plastic vacuum mould manufacturer for more information.
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