Ok, having read through the posts, I’m going to add my 2 cents.
Heat lamps are unlikely to work efficiently, unless unusual geometry is used for the frame or the lamps are a very specific geometry relative to the desired frame.
Custom coil design is almost necessary. The heating element must be arranged so that the outer elements are closer together than the central elements.
Also, the area covered by the elements must be larger than the frame. The walls between the element and the frame must be tapered AND consist of a laminate of an IR reflective surface and a heat resistant material. I.e., a steel outer surface and a concrete (Durarock) inner surface. This volume should be the most efficient, otherwise your process will waste time heating the air and insulation
You need a heating design to provide a uniform heat, especially along the edges of the plastic which typically disperses/loses heat along the frame.
You need an extremely even source of heat on the area of the plastic sheet. Otherwise the vacuum formed piece will not uniformly conform to the model.
The cooling effect of the vacuum draw cannot be discounted. To fight this effect, the plastic must be heated uniformly with a high degree of control.
I vacuum-form many pieces for commercial animatronics. It took me a while to learn the above principles. I offer my comments to save you some time.
IMHO
This wasn't about cutting or bending plastic, but was about making a vacuum former. To soften and form a sheet of plastic over a object/mold. He is on another forum with me. He ended up getting some toaster ovens and using the heating "calrods" and controls from the ovens to do this. I may be wrong but don't think he comes here anymore.According to me, try to use a heating element or nichrome wire to cut the fiber and as well as acrylic sheet.
That would be the one, where you wanted to know if a certain metals specs was comparable with another one. I think it was something for your day job.On my metal meet post you mean?
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz
by Duane Benson