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Vacuum Forming Definition
Vacuum Forming is the method of shaping a plastic sheet by heating it and placing over a mold. First the plastic is heated to a forming temperature (this makes it soft), then draped over a relief pattern or mold, and finally forced against the mold by creating a vacuum under the mold. When the plastic sheet cools (which happens very quickly), it retains the shape/design of the mold/pattern. We can see a wide range of vacuum formed products. For example, masks, lids of tea cups, plastic plates, toys, and bottle trays. This process is also used to design car dashboards and speaker cases. Components made as a result of vacuum forming can be used to replace complex sheet metal, fiber glass, or plastic injection molding.
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