DIY Arduino controlled Vacuum Former Project

[MartyJ1963]

Hi All,,,Thought this project would be of interest to some Geotechers who are wanting to Vacuum form their own Parts/Coil shells etc,,,I think it is built to operate from 110v but maybe it could be adapted for us British users (240v),,It is partly controlled by Arduino. Thanks, Marty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV4L7REQ5ls&t=195s

[Carl-NC]

Pretty nice design, all the way around.

[dfbowers]

Pretty cool.. beats my wood and concrete backer board machine.
also, I have never used any temperature control devices. It would be awfully nice though!
Most important I have found it to accurately measure the sag of the plastic constantly while heating and get it off
the heater right away. Once you find it there will be very few wasted plastic sheets any more.

I have a simple cover on top with a hole in the middle. I drop a bamboo skewer through the hole that has
graduation marks on it. When the sag is correct I get it off the heater and onto the platen immediately.
That way, temp does no matter quite so much... You just wait longer or shorter times.

[gurdal]

excellent

[Koala]

well thought out

[Tibuck19]

Nice looking coils Don, have you started making anything in the ten to twelve inch yet? besides the White concentric

[gurdal]

Pretty cool.. beats my wood and concrete backer board machine.
also, I have never used any temperature control devices. It would be awfully nice though!
Most important I have found it to accurately measure the sag of the plastic constantly while heating and get it off
the heater right away. Once you find it there will be very few wasted plastic sheets any more.

I have a simple cover on top with a hole in the middle. I drop a bamboo skewer through the hole that has
graduation marks on it. When the sag is correct I get it off the heater and onto the platen immediately.
That way, temp does no matter quite so much... You just wait longer or shorter times.

Hi

Hi master dfbowers;
what is the best concentric coil size.
is there a coreldraw or pdf file for the mold?
Can you add?
thank you

[Koala]

Hi

Hi master dfbowers;
what is the best concentric coil size.
is there a coreldraw or pdf file for the mold?
Can you add?
thank you

depends where your searching and size of target you are looking for


for coin shooting a 10" is a nice compromise for most fields here in the UK


I built a 12" and rarely used it



5.5" is really nice in combo with the 10"

smaller one in the trash larger one in more open areas

[dfbowers]

Hi

Hi master dfbowers;
what is the best concentric coil size.
is there a coreldraw or pdf file for the mold?
Can you add?
thank you

Hi. I don?t have any drawings of the concentric. I was just playing around with a router and circle cutting jig. I have a 10 and 11? form so far that is loosely based on the Troy X5 9? concentric. I?m not sure how to effectively shield these coils but may try conductive paint. It will most likely get used for the Voodoo project.
I can send some off if anyone is interested. No covers available yet..

[dbanner]

Hi All,,,Thought this project would be of interest to some Geotechers who are wanting to Vacuum form their own Parts/Coil shells etc,,,I think it is built to operate from 110v but maybe it could be adapted for us British users (240v),,It is partly controlled by Arduino. Thanks, Marty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV4L7REQ5ls&t=195s

Very nice machine.
Wouldn't mind one of those.

[MartinB]

Hi All,,,Thought this project would be of interest to some Geotechers who are wanting to Vacuum form their own Parts/Coil shells etc,,,I think it is built to operate from 110v but maybe it could be adapted for us British users (240v),,It is partly controlled by Arduino. Thanks, Marty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV4L7REQ5ls&t=195s

Hi Marty
The heater box on this vacuum former uses a bare element which can be touched despite the warning signs
In the UK and the EU this arrangement is illegal.
The maximum voltage in an arrangement such as this is 50v ac or 120vdc(ripple free). Anything above this will allow a current of greater than 30mA to pass through your body which is sufficient to kill you.
Stick with purpose made elements which are enclosed in an earthed sheath and stay safe.
Not worth

[MartyJ1963]

Hiya Martin,,,It's mostly the physical/Mechanical design and size I like about this former,,,If I made one based on this design the heating element/element enclosure would be made a lot safer. My last vacuum former was very safe and I still have the element from it which I controlled with a PID Temperature controller (Inkbird Temperature controller ITC-100VH) that I once used to regulate the temperature for my homebuilt Aluminium foundry. Still gathering ideas at the moment before I build my next one. Regards, Marty

[MartinB]

Hiya Martin,,,It's mostly the physical/Mechanical design and size I like about this former,,,If I made one based on this design the heating element/element enclosure would be made a lot safer. My last vacuum former was very safe and I still have the element from it which I controlled with a PID Temperature controller (Inkbird Temperature controller ITC-100VH) that I once used to regulate the temperature for my homebuilt Aluminium foundry. Still gathering ideas at the moment before I build my next one. Regards, Marty

Sorry m8
Even though I have been retired for a year, the old job keeps coming through. Unfortunately, not every one is as switched on as you. (no pun intended). The aluminium foundry sounds very interesting.
Yes I agree, the build of the vacuum forming machine is superb and if I was going to form more than a few shells I would build it. Actually, the one I have would only need minor modification

[MartyJ1963]

Hiya Martin,,,You're totally right though,,,better to be safe than sorry,,,That's why I'm still researching other builds beforehand so I make a long lasting unit that'll be totally safe but able to form other things besides coils. You did a good job of your Former and I was really impressed wth it,,also, thanks for the build/parts list instructions that you posted for me. I'll let you know what I finally decide on building and do some photos etc,,,Cheers Martin,,Regards, Marty.