Vacuum Forming in Salt Lake City, UT

What Is Vacuum Forming?

Vacuum forming is a versatile process that uses convex or concave molds. Vacuum forming Is the quickest plastic forming process to bring your idea from concept to production. Vacuum forming uses a single mold and vacuum suction to pull the plastic onto the mold and create the desired part shape.

Using one mold keeps costs low. Vacuum forming molds are created from aluminum or wood.  Vacuum forming in Salt Lake City, UT  is an efficient process for both small and large-scale production runs.  Some common examples are electronic housings, medical devices, agriculture equipment, packaging, automotive & transport parts

Vacuum Molding Salt Lake City, UT

The Vacuum Forming and Molding Process

Grand Canyon Plastics specializes in vacuum forming as one of our preferred methods of manufacture. Vacuum forming is often referred to as Vacuum Molding because of the use of a mold and pressure to reach the desired shape. Here’s a little bit about the process of Vacuum molding in Salt Lake City, UT. The process involves the following:

• A plastic sheet is clamped securely into an open frame
• Heat is applied to the plastic until it is pliable
• The plastic is pulled onto the mold using a vacuum that is located on the other side. Small holes in the vacuum box allow the suction to pass through, firmly attaching the plastic to the mold forming the plastic to the desired shape.
• The plastic product is then released, trimmed, and finished to detailed specifications. 

Vacuum forming is a fast process. It only takes a few minutes to form each piece of plastic. The lengthiest parts of the process are in the creation of the mold and waiting for the finished form to cool.

Pros and Cons

As with most manufacturing processes, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using vacuum forming.

Pros

• Great for customized parts
• Affordable due to low tooling costs
• Modifications to existing molds are quick and easy
• Fast turn-around time
• Use to test new designs with low overhead
• Greater number of customizable color and finish options

Cons

• If your product needs detailed molding on both sides, pressure forming will deliver better results
• Deeper molds may require a different technique
• Wall thickness can be inconsistent

Discuss your project requirements and design details with the expert team members at Grand Canyon Plastics to get personalized recommendations. A knowledgeable professional with years of experience and the necessary skillset can help you select the manufacturing method that is best for you.

Since 1998, Grand Canyon Plastics has built an excellent reputation as an area leader for manufacturing pressure-formed plastics. Our skilled team is comprised of engineers and plastics specialists that work on your project from the design phase until the finishing touches. Get affordable, high-quality plastics for all your needs with our efficient and time-saving process.