Tool for first go at forming

[Thermoformer]

Still in relatively early stage of this project but I was wondering if my theory is sound.

Could I take a sheet of Aluminium checker board, drill in some vacuum vents and simply form a plastic sheet over the top?

As far as I am aware, providing the forming conditions are adequate i.e sheet temp and mould temp, this should produce a plastic copy of aluminium check plate, that could be used to clad walls or floors at a fraction of the weight.

Please point out any problems I am overlooking here.

Cheers folks

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[awerby]

That could work to some extent. But those vents would be deep depressions in the plastic. It would work better if you cast or carved your checker-plate in some porous material like plaster, so the vacuum could suck through it rather than only around the edges.

[Thermoformer]

Thanks for the reply!

I guess I was trying to get around having to take a cast but if it is going to ruin the quality of the finished part then I guess I'll just have to muddle through.

If anyone fancies donating a nice FDM 3D printer for me to print my tools from I'll be more than happy to accept.