Frequently Asked Questions

Materials commonly used for vacuum forming include ABS, polystyrene (PS), PET, PETG, A-PET, acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate, and other thermoplastics that are easy to heat and shape.

Plastic thickness for vacuum forming ranges from 0.2 mm (1/128 in.) to 4 mm (5/32 in.) with single-side heating. With dual-side heating, it can go up to 12 mm (1/2 in.), depending on the material and product requirements.

The process involves several steps: heating the plastic sheet, placing it over the mold, applying vacuum to press the plastic onto the mold, and cooling/solidifying the formed piece.

The quality depends on the plastic's temperature, mold accuracy, and vacuum strength. Zone-specific heating is also crucial, as heating edges and corners of the plastic is more challenging.

Yes, vacuum forming is ideal for small-batch production and prototyping, as it requires minimal tooling costs and allows for quick design changes.