Plastic Moulding
Machines available at the iForge
Vacuum Former
Vacuum forming is a technique that is used to shape a variety of plastics. It works by heating a thin sheet of plastic which is pulled over a mould to imprint the shape into the plastic.
Line Bender
The line bender heats a sheet of plastic on a line. When heated, the plastic becomes malleable along the line where it can be bent using a jig set to the desired angle.
Hot Wire Cutter
Hot wire cutters can be used to cut expanded polystyrene such as blue foam or depron. It has a a thin, taut metal wire which is heated using electrical resistance to around 200°C.
When the wire moves through the material the heat from the wire vaporises the material just before it touches the wire.
Vacuum Former
Line Bender
Hot Wire Cutter
iForge Reps taking care of machinery
The Hardware team is responsible for understanding and maintaining the various pieces of machinery we have at the iForge. If there is an unusual issue with a piece of equipment, the Hardware team is the first to be notified. Find out more about them and the other teams that keep the iForge running on our Meet Our Team page!
If you want to be a part of the Hardware team or any other iForge team you can register your interest here.
If you want to see what other teams you can be a part of by volunteering with the iForge click here.