Vacuum-Forming RC-Body Shells

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This work-in-progress. Just wanted to let me know. :-D

The Goal

I wanted to make my own body shells, ones NO ONE got. Insane, I know. :)

Building

The Vacuum-Forming Tools

Boxes

I made two VacForm-Boxes: One with 50cm x 28cm and one 64cm x 34cm. Why?

  • The 50cm x 28cm - sized: because I can cut 3 sheets from the supplied 1000x500mm PET-G sheets[1]
  • The 64cm x 34cm - sized: because some body shells are too large for 50cmx28cm. Unfortunately I can cut only one out of above mentioned sheets.

The boxes are around 10cm high and have one 35mm - hole on the side to attach the vacuumer.

I recommend rubber seals like this: E-Profil-Seal

The finished box looks like this (and yes, drilling hundreds of 4mm-holes really bored the hell out of me):
VacFormBox01.jpg

If you have kids - great, let them help - they will be SO proud:
VacFormBox02.jpg

Frames

You also need a frame to mount the PET-G-Sheets in. Mine look like this:
VacFormFrame01.jpg

The Form

Ah yes - the most important part. The positive form. I could talk hours about what to do, and what not (that is, you supply enough beverages :-D ).

TBD TBD TBD TBD

The Heater

I ended up with a box fitting my two frames. It is about 60cm high and houses two RoWi 1.2KW heaters[2] at the bottom and aluminium (YES. ALUMINIUM![3]) lining on the side walls:
VacFormHeater01.jpg

The Results

TBD

The Lessons Learned

  • Print the parts as big as you can
  • Filling takes more time than 3D-designing (see the Ghia's windows!)
  • 140°C is about right for PET-G
  • Act quickly! Heat it up, fire up the vacuumer and hat the box with the frame the fast and accurately you can!