Vacuum Form Machine Questions?

[AmazinJane]

I need a little help and am hoping I have come to the right place.
I have acquired 2 vacuum form machines (and lots of supplies) that were used to make signs over 10 years ago.

I do not have any knowledge about these and would like any help identifying a manufacturer or anything else anyone can tell me.

I did have someone tell me to check with plasti-vac, as they may have made one of the machines some time ago. I didn't have any luck.

I have kept them around while I try to find some information and/or a creative use for them. I have considered selling them, but that's even hard to do without knowing much about them.


Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!
Hopefully my pictures will show up!

Thanks,
Am

[kayaker43]

I've seen both of these but can't remember much about them. The black one was sold as an extensive package to start your own sign business. I had a brochure once and I think they want $12,000 or some outrageous amount, but that may have included licensing fees or something? The company was called "Elite" or "Prestige" or something fancy?

They are all out of business now, there were many of these back when magnetic signs were popular. They are designed to form thin styrene and have limited forming power (vacuum cleaner motors), and limited clearance because they only formed shallow parts.

These old sign machines aren't really too useful for anything other than blister forming for packaging uses. I used to buy them up, then upgrade the platen and vacuum system and raise up the oven to allow more depth. Its really easier to just build a good one from scratch.

They are still good for demonstrating the process and are often used in schools. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful

[duchaine]

Hi,

My first post.

I happen to see the post on vacuum forming machines. I've been building them for magnetic signs since 1968.

The piston pump is from Gast, the guage is from anver.com. The element wire is from Bob Martin Co. S. El Monte, Ca.

Most people think you have to have a bunch of holes on your platten or whatever but you don't! I use a sheet of galvinized steel over a 1/8th sheet of aluminum covered with cloth and glued on the bottom (in about 2").

That is backed with another aluminum sheet screwed on the bottom. So, the air escapes thru the cloth off to the sides (NO HOLES!). The screw heads provide a space for air to escape to the ONE hole in the vacuum bed. A 1/8th steel pan with a rubber gasket, a hold down frame secured by Destaco clamps. The hole (brass fitting, 1/4" copper tubing) leads to a valve which leads to a vacuum tank (made from 6" pipe). Between the bed and valve it tees off to the vacuum guage.

Ck out the site. Any questions use the form on the last page.
D & L Manufacturing

Leo Duchaine