Vacuum Former 2

Step 2 Changes to the Frame, Platen and Oven

Starting with the oven, I added extensions to the short ends so that they would fit it the new base. This is because I wanted to be able to take the oven off when moving the machine. The oven is heavy and makes the whole thing a little top heavy and being able to take it off makes it a lot easier. I added four short extensions to the bottom side of the frame. These parts sit on the bolts on the base. I added some of the same balsa wood that I used to separate the layers of the platen to the bottom of it. The platen sits on the risers on the lower part of the base and the balsa wood pieces locate the platen on the base.
With this design I made the oven and the platen removable because these are the things I might make changes to in to future. So if I ever want to redo the platen, maybe with an aluminum surface, I'll I'd have to do is take the old one off and build the new one to fit in the same manner on the base. This makes upgrades very easy.

Comments

[GM2009]

Oven: I am making something similar but more compact. Oven is about 380 x 380mm and four Quartz heaters each 415W. Will use 20A diode to reduce heat if needed. Instead of concrete board I am using FIBEROCK. It is light, fireproof, quite solid and can be easily cut with utility knife. Board was $13CAN. I've tested board with butane torch. Eventually it would kind of burn but only at the edges and when torch was very close. Oven will have Al underlining and U-shaped reflectors to help distribute heat. I will also use thermostat since I've salvaged (new) B&D oven. It was under $50 and buying heaters on internet would cost more. Heaters have some kind of metal shields on top of them. They have some (smartly designed) holes that let heat more at the end of the heater than in the center. Comment: I think that vacuum table needs to have better surface than unfinished plywood. That would help creating better seal.