Vacuum Forming Question...

[Rusty85]

Hello!

I'm in need of making part of a prop, and it looks as though this is going to be the only way to make it. Since I only have a general idea what it is, I was wondering how its accomplished. Do you need special equipment? In my case I need to make a dome shape with a 1'' flange around the edge with a total diameter of 23''.

 

[zorg]

i think you would be better/cheaper/less hassle buying a pre made dome.

there are plenty of companies in the states that could supply you with your requirements.

-z

 

[Maelstrom]

Yeah but I'm pretty sure this is for the Living Dead barrel. So not really a hemisphere dome more like a raised area.

You could use a tobagan (sp?) as a buck if your are vac-forming.

 

[division 6]

Something like that you would probably be better off having blow formed.
Might even want to look into sky lights or vehicle (van) windows.

I used to work at a aquarium manufacturer and we blow formed bubbles including Captain Picards ready room tank(s)
12", 24" and 36"

To do it yourself you would need a flat plate with a hole in the middle for the air from a compressor in top of that would be the heated sheet of acrylic that has been baked on a flat piece of metal, once the acrylic is soft and place on the table as template is then clamped over it and air slowly fed into the table till the desired height is achieved and held there till cooled.

It's best to have a cover plate over the table opening to the air doesn't just shoot straight up.

 

[Rusty85]

Cool, thanks for the replies. Yeah, it is for the Return of the Living Dead barrel. I cannot find anything to work for it. I've tried everything! I found something that would have the right look, but the price is somewhere in the 700 dollar range.

 

[Jimbo890]

You can vac form hemispheres. YOu just need a box with a circle the diameter you want cut out. Put that on your forming platen, and the draw from the vacuum will suck the plastic down into the round hole, and when it cools, ta-da, a dome.

 

[propologist]

you can also use security domes or something similar.

 

[zorg]

do you have a pic of the barrels in question?

 

[Rusty85]

Here's a pic. Thanks for the help so far, great responses!

 

[zorg]

the dome manufacturers can produce these hemisoids also fyi

trust me it would be a lot less hassle just to buy one :angel

 

[E-Wan]

Those look like the lids on those big bins full of ice and sodas in stores and sporting events etc.

 

[jack wendt]

Starship Modeler - Basics of Vacuforming

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