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| |contact = [[User:Rtystgeeke]] | | |contact = [[User:Rtystgeeke]] |
| |value = tbd | | |value = tbd |
− | |image = Belovac Vacuum Former Main.jpg|300px | + | |image = Belovac_Vacuum_Former_Main.jpg|300px |
| }} | | }} |
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| === How to Get Authorized === | | === How to Get Authorized === |
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− | '''Authorization for this machine is on demand'''. Please send a request on the Google Group to see when an Authorizer (below) is available. | + | '''Authorization for this machine is on demand and viral'''. Please make a request on the Google Group to see when an Authorized member (below) is available and coordinate an authorization. |
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− | Please review the information on this page, in particular the Safety section. | + | Please review the information on this page, in particular the Safety section before meeting. |
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| Please bring your own materials, as there is no guarantee there will be any available. A few sheets of thin 12in x 12in ABS/HIPS would be ideal. | | Please bring your own materials, as there is no guarantee there will be any available. A few sheets of thin 12in x 12in ABS/HIPS would be ideal. |
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| The process consists essentially of inserting a thermoplastic sheet in a cold state into the clamp area, heating it to the desired temperature with the heating elements, and then raising the buck/form/mould from below. The trapped air is evacuated with the assistance of a vacuum system. Once cooled, the platform is lowered to release the formed plastic part from the buck/form/mould. | | The process consists essentially of inserting a thermoplastic sheet in a cold state into the clamp area, heating it to the desired temperature with the heating elements, and then raising the buck/form/mould from below. The trapped air is evacuated with the assistance of a vacuum system. Once cooled, the platform is lowered to release the formed plastic part from the buck/form/mould. |
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− | The following instructions are an initial release of how to run the machine. Please provide feedback or feel free to make edits. | + | The following instructions are an initial release of how to run the machine. |
| + | |
| + | Please review '''Safety''' section below the Instructions. |
| + | |
| + | Please provide feedback or feel free to make edits. |
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| {| class="wikitable" border="2" | | {| class="wikitable" border="2" |
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| ''' Power On Procedure ''' | | ''' Power On Procedure ''' |
| # Turn on Wall Power | | # Turn on Wall Power |
| + | Note: Check that plug below panel is connected. It may be disconnected. |
| |[[File:Bvf main power.jpg|300px]] | | |[[File:Bvf main power.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
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| |- | | |- |
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− | # Insert sheet of material into Frame | + | # Push bar forward to close frame clamps and secure overall frame. |
− | |[[File:Bvf_frame_open_small.jpg|300px]] | + | Note: Do not use as handle when pushing/pulling frame into position. |
| + | |[[File:Bvf_frame_clamps.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Close the frame latch to the secure the material | + | * Select desired Valve configuration on bed/platen/platform. |
− | |[[File:Bvf_frame_latch_small.jpg|310px]] | + | # Both Valves closed for 12inx12in frame |
| + | # Left Valve Closed and Right Valve Open for 24inx24in frame |
| + | # Both Valves Open for 24inx48in frame |
| + | |[[File:Bvf_platform_valves.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Push bar forward to close frame clamps and secure overall frame. | + | # Connect Pneumatic Hose. This allows one to raise/lower the platform. |
− | Note: Do not use as handle when pushing/pulling frame into position. | + | Note: It can be borrowed from the CNC Plasma Cutter, if not in use. |
− | |[[File:Bvf_frame_clamps.jpg|300px]] | + | |
| + | Note: The main valve with yellow handle, behind the CNC Plasma cutter, above the large tank, may be closed if there is no air. |
| + | | |
| + | [[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_01.jpg|300px]] |
| + | [[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_02.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Secure Buck/Form/Mould to Vacuum table. | + | # Secure Buck/Form/Mould to Vacuum table. If it is heavy enough and does not stick, it may not need to be secured. |
| Note: it is recommended to have the mold be a bit taller than desired part, to allow space for cut separation. | | Note: it is recommended to have the mold be a bit taller than desired part, to allow space for cut separation. |
− | # Check seals around material and mold | + | # Check seals around material and mold. |
| + | Note: If material is not thick enough, it may slip out of the frame. |
| + | # Raise part way to make certain mold lines up with frame. |
| + | Note: It is a 3 position pneumatic valve. Up position raises platform. Center position, holds platform at current position. Down position, lowers platform. |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Select desired Valve configuration on bed/platen/platform. | + | # Insert sheet of material into Frame. |
− | |[[File:Bvf_platform_valves.jpg|300px]] | + | |[[File:Bvf_frame_open_small.jpg|300px]] |
| + | |- |
| + | | |
| + | # Close the frame latch to the secure the material. |
| + | |[[File:Bvf_frame_latch_small.jpg|310px]] |
| |- | | |- |
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| |- | | |- |
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− | # Select Duty Cycle for Heating Elements. | + | # Select '''On''' Percentage Duty Cycle (0%-100%) for Heating Elements. It is on a 15 second timer. |
− | Note: This controls the cycle time of the heating elements being On, then Off. | + | Note: This controls the cycle time of the heating elements being On (at dial), then Off (top of timer). |
| |[[File:Bvf_heat_duty_cycle.jpg|300px]] | | |[[File:Bvf_heat_duty_cycle.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Connect Pneumatic Hose. This allows one to raise/lower the platform. | + | # Turn on Heating Element |
− | Note: It can be borrowed from the CNC Plasma Cutter, if not in use. | + | Note: You will see the Timer begin to rotate counter clockwise and audibly hear the contactors/relays energize. |
− | |
| |
− | [[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_01.jpg|300px]]
| |
− | [[File:Bvf_pnuematic_hose_02.jpg|300px]]
| |
− | |-
| |
− | |
| |
− | # Turn on Heating Element
| |
| |[[File:Bvf control panel.jpeg|300px]] | | |[[File:Bvf control panel.jpeg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Move material frame into heater | + | # Move material frame into heater by pushing on front of slide. |
| + | Note: do not use frame clamp bar as handle. |
| |[[File:Bvf_heat_1.jpg|300px]] | | |[[File:Bvf_heat_1.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Close Vacuum Valve | + | # Close Vacuum Valve (facing valve, rotate clockwise, with handle position pointing to the left at final position.) |
− | # Turn on pump, to begin to build vacuum | + | # Turn on pump, to begin to build vacuum. |
| | | | | |
| [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] |
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| | | | | |
| # Visually check if heating element is on and if material is warming | | # Visually check if heating element is on and if material is warming |
− | # Visually check if material is sagging and ready | + | Note: The heating elements will visibly glow red. |
| + | # Visually check if material is sagging and ready. |
| + | Note: It will visibly sag and look like a dome. |
| | | | | |
| [[File:Bvf heat 1.jpg|300px]] | | [[File:Bvf heat 1.jpg|300px]] |
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| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Pull Material frame forward (towards front/away from heaters) | + | # Pull Material frame forward (towards front/away from heaters) completely forward until it stops. |
− | # Inspect Plastic is ready (sufficiently heated/soft) | + | Note: Do not pull on frame clamp bar. It will open all 3 clamps if pulled on. |
| + | # Inspect Plastic is ready (sufficiently heated/soft). |
| |[[File:Bvf_frame_forward.jpg|300px]] | | |[[File:Bvf_frame_forward.jpg|300px]] |
| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Make certain area is clear before raising bed/platen/platform | + | # Make certain area is clear before raising bed/platen/platform. |
− | # push lever down to raise vacuum bed/platen/platform | + | # push lever up to raise vacuum bed/platen/platform. |
| | | | | |
| [[File:Bvf_platform.jpg|300px]] | | [[File:Bvf_platform.jpg|300px]] |
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| |- | | |- |
| | | | | |
− | # Open Vacuum Valve. You should see the plastic part quickly take the shape of the mold. | + | # Open Vacuum Valve (rotate counter clockwise, with handle position pointing down at final position). |
− | # Monitor pull of material over mold | + | # You should see the plastic part quickly take the shape of the mold. |
| + | # Monitor pull of material over mold. |
| | | | | |
| [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] |
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| # Close Vacuum Valve to Turn off Vacuum, when part is ready. | | # Close Vacuum Valve to Turn off Vacuum, when part is ready. |
| # Allow part sufficient time to cool, before separation. This time frame is dependent on the thickness of your material. | | # Allow part sufficient time to cool, before separation. This time frame is dependent on the thickness of your material. |
− | # Push bed/platen/platform lever Up to lower down and pull mold away from formed part. | + | # Push bed/platen/platform lever down to lower platform and pull mold away from formed part. |
| | | | | |
| [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] | | [[File:Bvf_vacuum_valve.jpg|300px]] |
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| # On Control panel, Turn Heater switch to Off position. | | # On Control panel, Turn Heater switch to Off position. |
| # On Control panel, Turn Vacuum switch to Off position. | | # On Control panel, Turn Vacuum switch to Off position. |
− | # Open Vacuum Valve, to release any remaining vacuum in the tank. | + | # Open Vacuum Valve (rotate counter clockwise, with handle pointing down), to release any remaining vacuum in the tank. |
− | # Disconnect pneumatic hose. Return to CNC Plasma Cutter. | + | # Push platform lever down, to release air pressure from pneumatic hose. (Hose will momentarily whip around at next step if air is not released) |
| + | # Disconnect pneumatic hose. Return to CNC Plasma Cutter. |
| # Turn off machine power. | | # Turn off machine power. |
| # Turn off Main Wall power. | | # Turn off Main Wall power. |
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| | | |
− | ===Troubleshooting=== | + | === Trimming Part === |
| + | * Depending on the thickness of the material, a band saw or box cuter can be used to trim excess flashing from the final part. |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | === Troubleshooting === |
| | | |
| How long does it take to heat the plastic sheet? | | How long does it take to heat the plastic sheet? |
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| * More powerful Vacuum Pump | | * More powerful Vacuum Pump |
| * Temperature Monitoring | | * Temperature Monitoring |
− | * Mount Control Panel Box to machine | + | * Mount Control Panel Box to machine ''DONE'' |
| * Put on locking casters, or more permanent blocks/skid (machine is very heavy) | | * Put on locking casters, or more permanent blocks/skid (machine is very heavy) |
| * make the platen stationary and the heater roll (complicated) | | * make the platen stationary and the heater roll (complicated) |
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| | | |
| === How to Become an Authorizer === | | === How to Become an Authorizer === |
− | Get an ok from the area host. Successfully run an authorization supervised by an authorizer. | + | Get an ok from the area host. Successfully run an authorization supervised by an authorizer. |
− | | |
− | == List of Currently Authorized Users ==
| |
− | {| class="wikitable" border="2"
| |
− | ! Authorized Member
| |
− | ! Authorized By
| |
− | | Date
| |
− | |-
| |
− | |Andrew Camardella
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− | |Self
| |
− | |Sometime
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− | |-
| |
− | | Dan Sharp
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− | | Andrew Camardella
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− | | 1/12/19
| |
− | |-
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− | |Greg "Nerobro" Teiber
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− | |Andrew Camardella
| |
− | |1/12/19
| |
− | |-
| |
− | |Adam Stein
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− | |Andrew Camardella
| |
− | |1/12/19
| |
− | |-
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− | |Mariano Muñoz
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− | |Andrew Camardella
| |
− | |11/22/18
| |
− | |}
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− | | |
− | [[Category: Hot Metals]]
| |