Manufacturing processes and techniques - 2/3

What is thermoforming?

a manufacturing process where a polymer sheet is heated and shaped with a mould or former

What are some deforming and reforming processes?

bending and vacuum forming

What is bending?

heating a thermoplastic sheet over a strip heater until it becomes soft and then bending it to any an angle

What is vacuum forming?

a polymer is heated a pressed into a mould made of MDF or plywood, the polymer takes the shape of the mould after the air is removed via a vaccuum

What is press forming?

a 2 part mould is used to a shape a sheet of heated polymer

How does 3D printing work?

A print/extrusion head, similar to a computer ink jet, builds up a layer of thermo-polymer materials, which quickly solidifies to form a physical 3D model

How does laser cutting work?

The laser beam hits the surface of the material and heats it so strongly that it melts or completely vaporizes

What is a jig?

guides a tool so it cuts accurately

Why are jigs important?

improve the precision of your manufacturing machinery, improving consistency

What are the Pros of CAM?

Consistent design, accurate, fast

What are the Cons of CAM?

Software can be expensive, requires staff training

What are the Pros of CAD?

More accurate, cheaper, easy to modify designs

What are the Cons of CAD?

Software is expensive, requires a PC, requires staff training

What is Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)?

A Manufacturing Method
Automates control and movement using a software

What are the 5 uses of CAM equipment?

1 - CNC embroidery
2 - Vinyl cutting
3 - CNC routing
4 - Laser cutting
5 - 3D printing