Acrylic Sheet Heat Forming

Work on a smooth glass surface as the heated plastic won t stick to glass.

Acrylic sheet heat forming.

Preparing hot air gun w. Once soft mold them into any shape you desire. When they come into contact with the heat source there is likely to be an explosion. This is one way i heat form acrylic glass.

Bending shaping plastic with hot air gun heat gun. The rest of the sheet is heated largely by conduction. Turn the sheet of acrylic over on the heating element every 30 60 seconds in order to avoid damaging it. Set up plastic or acrylic sheet in a simple bending jig.

Use long thin 1 inch or so in width test strips to practice your technique and learn how your particular heat source affects your chosen thickness of plastic. Modify the timing as necessary. At this point the pliable polycarbonate sheet is lowered onto the mold. It has tiny vacuum holes to facilitate the vacuum pump which sucks out the air between the mold and the sheet.

Temperatures can be off as much as 75 f 42 c possibly allowing the acrylic to overheat. I have used this technique for years with sizes up to 16 inches in diameter. Ideal for perspex acrylic plexiglass polycarbonate. Acrylic sheet is opaque to most wavelengths in the infrared spectrum the surface exposed to the heater absorbs almost all the energy.

In the vacuum forming machine the sheet is heated until it becomes pliable while being held in place by the clamping frame. To set up your plastic or acrylic sheet to bend simple curves for your miniature and model projects you need to first remove the protective covering from the material you wish to bend. Most kitchen ovens do not have accurate temperature control. Since plexiglas acrylic sheet is an excellent insulator the surface exposed to the heater may overheat before the rest of the sheet is hot enough for forming.

Just heat the sheets above 150 degrees f for 2 3 minutes until they turn from translucent to clear using a heat gun. Set the sheet of acrylic across the rests on the strip heater and turn it on. The only major variable that can affect the forming process is the thickness of the plastic sheet. Wear gloves as you do this to avoid burning your hands.

Tutorial for how to. You can see my other artwork at http. This article uses a sheet about 1 4 thick so all times are about 10 to 15 minutes per step. The process is straightforward.

These gases are potentially explosive if allowed to collect in an unventilated area. And because air is not forcibly circulated in a standard kitchen oven the fumes will accumulate. Higher molecular weight acrylic has better heat strength during forming but is more difficult to form due to its higher melt strength and elastic memory. Be sure that the marked line is above the heating element.

Upon cooling they will be strong and permanent.