Mayku FormBox Vacuum Moulder Review: Let Parts Propagate



    3D printing is good for everyone, but there is one “but” - this is an activity for patients. But what if you can quickly replicate a once printed model multiple times?

    Today we talk about Mayku FormBox , a desktop vacuum moulder that can help you produce small runs of your 3D prints much faster.

    What is it



    This is a great 3D printer assistant that creates shapes of printed 3D models and other items in seconds. These forms can be used both as independent products, and for subsequent casting from a wide range of materials.

    Formbox



    Specifications:


    • Height, mm: 315
    • Length with handles, mm: 466
    • Width, mm: 274
    • Work area, mm: 200 x 200
    • Depth, mm: 130
    • Weight, kg: 13
    • Power supply, V: 110 - 240
    • Ceramic heater, heating t, ° C: 160 - 340
    • Thickness of sheets for molding, mm: 0.25 - 1.5
    • Molding Materials: PETg, HIPS, ABS, Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Acrylic (PMMA)
    • Mold casting materials: read the article
    • For work, you need any household vacuum cleaner with a capacity of up to 2 kW.
    • Price, rub .: 78 175

    What's in the box


    The package includes: the molding machine itself;


    two types of plastic samples, white and transparent;


    hose for connecting a vacuum cleaner;


    several test mold models


    and instruction.


    How it works


    The front panel has only three controls: the power button, timer setting, heater power adjustment.


    On the rear panel: a socket for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a hole for connecting a hose. Any household vacuum cleaner that can be turned on and off by applying current, that is, without electronic control, is suitable.


    At the top is a powerful ceramic heating element.


    On the top cover you can see the ventilation holes for cooling the heater.


    Two metal frames move along vertical guides, between which a sheet of molding material is fixed. On the frame, grill and bottom of the machine there are seals to ensure tightness and reliable fixation of the material.


    The algorithm of operation is simple: for sheets of material of different types and thicknesses, different heater power and timer time are set. The material is fixed between the frames and rises to the upper position, the heating timer is turned on, and a master model is installed on the grid. Heating, depending on the thickness and type of material, takes from 40 seconds to 4 minutes. After the material becomes sufficiently elastic, the timer is activated and the heating is turned off. The operator lowers the frame, which includes the draft of a vacuum cleaner connected to the machine, which removes air around the part and forces the material to take its shape. Forming takes 10 seconds.


    After the material takes the desired shape, it is allowed to cool to room temperature, approximately 15-20 seconds. Then the master model can be removed from the mold and proceed to the next molding.

    Master Model Material


    Master models can not only be printed on a 3D printer, but also made from almost any material: wood, MDF, clay, metal, plastic and even potatoes and bananas. You can use as a master model any things that will not break due to pressure drops and under the influence of a heated film. In the manufacturer’s demo videos, people cut out models from potatoes, mold them and pour them in concrete, getting mini-pots for plants and candle holders.


    Molding material


    You can mold materials with a thickness of 0.25mm to 1.5mm. It can be PETg, HIPS, ABS, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylic and plexiglass . That is, any sheet material of suitable thickness that softens sufficiently at temperatures of 160 - 340 ° C.

    Casting material


    As the material for casting, you can use concrete, silicone, chocolate, jelly, soap, polymer resins, ice, polyurethane foam, Jesmonite (decorative composite based on acrylic), gypsum, plaster and much more.

    Here, the user is limited only by the physicochemical properties of the molding - whether the mold can withstand a casting from a material that requires heating for casting, because the application temperature is different for different plastics. In most cases, there will be no problems.

    Forming temperature and heating time


    Material for tests is supplied with the molder, with the indicated recommended temperature and heating time. But you can buy third-party material, and choose the molding parameters for it yourself. We tested PETG and Hipex plastics from 0.5 to 1 mm thick. To select the parameters, only 2-3 test moldings were required.

    Printing model for molding


    A few simple rules:

    1. The model should expand to the base so that it can be reached after molding.


    2. There should be through holes in the recesses to help air out. The recommended hole diameter is about 2 mm.


    3. The surface of the master model printed on a 3D printer should be post-processed if you do not want to see traces of layers on the resulting form.

    4. In the print settings, you need to select an internal filling of at least 30%, otherwise the walls can easily fall through, under the influence of temperature and pressure.

    FormBox Tests


    To test Mayku FormBox in action, we decided to make several items with it.

    Candy


    First of all, we made a small box of chocolates with DC superhero logos. To do this, we printed master models of the candies themselves.


    The lodgement model for them.


    They made an injection mold from PETg, which is suitable for working with food products.




    The main box was printed from PLA, also suitable for contact with food.


    Chocolate was poured into molds and packed in a box. It was a great gift for any comic book lover. Unless, of course, he is not a fan of Marvel.

    Blister


    In addition to casting material, transparent plastic is well suited for creating packaging blisters for finished devices. As an example, we made a blister for a fire detector.

    First, a model for molding was modeled and printed.


    We printed the model on a 3D printer, formed a blister on it and cut it out.





    Fasteners



    Pyramid for the “hologram”



    Demonstration of the principle of the pyramid. It’s hard to see, but an interesting thing.


    You simply put the pyramid on the screen of your smartphone, where you launch special videos from YouTube, and enjoy the illusion of a three-dimensional image, which gives a picture reflected from its faces.

    Han Solo



    The resulting mold can be used as a protective blister for the original part, or as an ice mold.


    Phone stand



    We formed a complete sample stand and filled it with plastic.


    Total


    As we saw from the tests, Mayku FormBox copes with its tasks quickly and efficiently. It takes up little space, is easy to transport and install, and even a child can use it.

    Such a machine is useful primarily for 3D printers, for printing prints, but not only: in the presence of imagination, the applications obtained with the help of forms, you can find an infinite number.

    FormBox will be useful in a small workshop, in a school class, in a small production or in a packaging workshop, and in the shelter of an artist or sculptor.

    You can buy Mayku FormBox and consumables for it in the Top 3D Shop - our managers will be happy to give advice and quickly place an order.

    Want more interesting news from the world of 3D technology?

    Subscribe to us in the social. networks:



    Also popular now: