Designed for rapid prototyping or simply creating super-detailed masks, Vaquform is a revolutionary desktop vacuum thermoformer that works seamlessly with 3D printers and CNC routers. Vacuum Forming, if you’re not familiar, is a time-tested manufacturing technique that takes a heated sheet of plastic and using a powerful vacuum seal, makes detailed molds out of objects.
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Vaquform, still in development, is touted as an industrial-level thermoformer with state-of-the-art, consumer-friendly technology. From the IR probe that strategically monitors the temp of the plastic to its intuitive LCD interface, Vaquform “brings high-end process control to desktop vacuum forming.” The 9 x 12″ forming area is larger than most 3D printing platforms and according to Vaquform’s Kickstarter campaign, is perfectly suited for a modern engineering lab, design office, or artist studio.
Vaquform’s powerful ceramic heaters are the same one’s used in industrial thermoformers – a testament to the company’s dedication to quality. As for its suction power, Vaquform uses the combination of both high air flow and high vacuuming speed with low air flow and high vacuuming speed. The two-staged hybrid system removes about 90% of the air from under the plastic sheet maxing out at around -3 PSI (same suction power as a household vacuum cleaner). Once the secondary vacuum takes over, the additional air sucked out even further at –12.8 PSI.
Stage 1: High airflow / Low vacuum.
Stage 2: Low airflow / High vacuum.
The end result: design molds with exquisite precision and highly-detailed corners.
Since this will be one of the first consumer-friendly thermoformer’s to hit the market, it’s good to know what differentiates Vaquform from its industrial-quality competitors. First and foremost, the intuitive IR probe makes the monitoring process foolproof. In other words, Vaquform knows exactly how hot everything should get within 1-degree Celsius precision.
Armed with an internal database of heating profiles from a never-ending list of materials, the thermoformer alerts the user with the right temperature for precision molding. Your job is to simply select the correct profile highlighted on the LCD screen and press START.
Whether it’s rapid prototyping, art projects, or custom props, users can make a wide variety of replica molds from all types of materials. From duplicating coffee lids made from plastic to a highly detailed Freddy Krueger form-fitting Halloween mask, Vaquform brings prototyping in a consumer-friendly appliance.
Backed by $213,146 (April 2017) of pledge funds via Kickstarter and delivery dates scheduled for October, Vaquform will be one of the most anticipated rapid prototyping machines hitting the marketplace in late 2017.
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I need vaquform
Will be a big hit in the industry I’m in, I make 3D stencils for airbrush artist. I hand cut the custom patterns that are airbrushed on the fishing lures. The Vaquform machine is perfect for my stencils. I’m ready for one right now.
Will be a big hit in the industry I’m in, I make 3D stencils for airbrush artist. I hand cut the custom patterns that are airbrushed on the fishing lures. The Vaquform machine is perfect for my stencils. I’m ready for one right now.
I’ve spoken to 10+ consumers- the Vaquform unfortunately never works as intended.
A lot of us feel scammed. There are some inherent problems that could have been altered before sending it out.