1. Louisiana Tech University
Vacuum Former Assembly Guide

2. Overview
This is a general guideline for assembling the vacuum former kits
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3. Parts in the kit
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4. List of Parts in Kit Vacuum Box: Hot box: Miscellaneous: 4 – 19”x1”x2”
2 – support blocks
2 – 15”x19” sheets of plywood
Hot box:
1 - Base
2 – 19” sides
2 – 15” sides
Miscellaneous:
Wood Glue
Caulk
Wood Screws
Weather Stripping
2 – Hinges
1 – Latch
Aluminum foil
Thumb Tacks
Shop Vacuum
Heat Gun
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5. List of Tools Required Power Hand Drill Masking Tape Scissors Hammer
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6. Hot Box (1) Apply wood glue to joints and fit pieces together
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7. Hot Box (2)
Tape together until glue dries
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8. Vacuum Box (1)
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9. Vacuum Box (2)
Assemble sides, then screw to base
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10. Vacuum Box (3)
Screw supports to center of base
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11. Vacuum Box (4)
Apply Caulk to seams
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12. Vacuum Box (5)
Drill holes in top plate
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13. Vacuum Box (6) Apply caulk to top of sides before attaching top plate
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14. Vacuum Box (7)
Be sure the screws are seated flush or below the top plate
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15. Vacuum Box (8) Apply the weather stripping around the perimeter
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16. Vacuum Box (9) Be sure there are no gaps in the weather strips
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17. Vacuum Box (10)
Assemble the frame
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18. Vacuum Box (11)
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19. Vacuum Box (12) Attach hinges
Pro tip: line the center of the hinge with the weather strip
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20. Vacuum Box (13)
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21. Vacuum Box (14) Attach latch to the opposite side than the hinges
Pro tip: attach the bottom half first, then the top
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22. Vacuum Box (15) Apply weather strips to the inside of the vacuum hole
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23. Hot Box (3) Drape tin foil inside the hot box
Poke a hole in the tin foil to insert the heat gun
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24. Vacuum Forming (1) Attach styrene sheet to frame with thumb tacks
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25. Vacuum Forming (2) Place frame over hot box (put hot box on a stool)
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26. Vacuum Forming (3) Place object being formed on the vacuum box
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27. Vacuum Forming (4) Apply heat through side of hot box
The styrene sheet will warp when heated
When the sheet is hot enough, it will flatten out
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28. Vacuum Forming (5)
Once sheet is hot enough, quickly swing the frame over the vacuum box and latch
Turn the vacuum on until the plastic is rigid
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29. Vacuum Forming (6)
Remove object and trim styrene
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