The stiffness of a template can be also improved by tuning slicing settings such as Infill density and Wall Thickness.

The Tensile Strength measures how a material behaves under a specific load, and it helps you identify which is the best material for vacuum forming templates. They need to be rigid enough to avoid being deformed during that process, which can be repeated hundreds of times.Įven though there are many tests that can help identify the stiffness of a material, the Tensile Strength test stands out over the rest. Vacuum forming templates need support pressure and high temperatures when forming the mold. It’s important to mention that the Wall Thickness plays a similar role as the Infill, as both have similar effects in terms of mechanical properties. The standard wall thickness when 3D printing with a 0.4mm nozzle is around 0.8mm and 1.2mm, but a 2mm wall thickness is recommended when 3D printing templates. One of the ways to avoid issues like that is by increasing the Wall Thickness. Large and thin designs tend to deform when used as vacuum forming templates as the plastic sheets are heated before they’re pressed against the template. It’s recommended to print the final template with a 0.1mm layer height to guarantee a smooth surface, especially on templates that have top curved surfaces. It’s recommended to create templates with a smooth surface finish in order to improve the de-molding experience.Ī test template can be 3D printed with a 0.3mm layer height, but the layer lines will be visible in the mold. The smaller the layer height, the smoother the surface. Advanced slicers include hundreds of settings, but here are the three most important ones that you need to know when 3D printing vacuum forming templates. The slicing process and the material properties play a key role as they determine the template’s quality.ĭuring the slicing process, a software tool transforms your 3D model into instructions so that the 3D printer actually makes it. You can create high-quality templates with just a laptop and a 3D printer you can create.įDM 3D printers greatly improve the vacuum forming experience with the FormBox, and they can be easily implemented in educational and creative environments.ģD printing is much more than great hardware, especially if you’re making a vacuum forming template. The fact that FDM 3D printed parts don’t need post-processing makes it one of the most accessible manufacturing technologies.

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