1 year, 5 months ago
via answers.hackaday.com
I was checking out the new posts and i saw http://hackaday.com/2010/12/02/vacuum-forming-at-home/ i was wondering how detailed it could get?
I was checking out the new posts and I saw http://hackaday.com/2010/12/02/vacuum-forming-at-home/ i was wondering how detailed it could get? My reason for asking is I would like to replicate entire sprues for the warhammer 40k game because they are very expensive, here is a link to what I'm talking about 
http://bitzbarn.com/oscommerce/catalog/images/DEWychesSprue1.jpg they are small and have detail. If vacuum form wont work does anyone have any idea how to replicate them without the use of a 3d scanner and cnc machine?
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M$1 Answer
It will do moderate detail. The thinner the plastic, the more detail, but the more fragile the end product (mold) will be.
Another negative aspect is that the vac moulding will only capture detail on One side of the target piece- the side facing the plastic. To use this method reliably, you'd have to sand half of the sprue off, then take a mold of both sides (you'd need 2 sprues) and glue the final products together- which sucks.
If you want to replicate the tiny parts, i recommend using casting silicone. The silicone molds peel off, and are reusable. A bonus being that the silicone will capture the full 3d item, and is impervious to the heat from the molten plastic or solvents.
The negative side is that you would need to do one mold per component, not the whole sprue.
Another negative aspect is that the vac moulding will only capture detail on One side of the target piece- the side facing the plastic. To use this method reliably, you'd have to sand half of the sprue off, then take a mold of both sides (you'd need 2 sprues) and glue the final products together- which sucks.
If you want to replicate the tiny parts, i recommend using casting silicone. The silicone molds peel off, and are reusable. A bonus being that the silicone will capture the full 3d item, and is impervious to the heat from the molten plastic or solvents.
The negative side is that you would need to do one mold per component, not the whole sprue.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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