MIT-TIM Ice Tray
Tools
- Formech 450DT or similar vacuformer
Parts
- PETG panel (food safe) that works with your vacuformer
Step 1: Preheating
- Please read through the entire guide before getting started.
- Turn on the vacuformer.
- Start heating the cores by tapping the first icon.
- This preheating takes about 15 minutes. Feel free to prepare by reading through the rest of the steps while you wait.
Step 2: Layout and Materials
- Choose the 3d printed parts you wish to use for your Ice Tray.
- Practice the configuration for your objects and decide how big of a panel you will need to fit all your pieces.
- Leave space between the parts and between the parts and edges of the frame.
- Choose a plastic panel that can fit all your pieces and resize the frame on the vacuformer by swapping the metallic reducing windows.
- Make sure to follow all safety and operation protocols.
Step 3: Vacuform
- Place all your parts onto the mesh table (under the frame) and lower the table.
- Place your plastic panel right onto the white seal and close the top frame while activating the clamps.
- With the table lowered, bring the heater forward by pulling the blue handle.
Step 4: Vacuum and Air
- Wait for the timer to ‘beep’ and push the heater back .
- With a stick-like object quickly tap on the plastic to check for it to be soft and bendy.
- Once your plastic is warm enough, quickly push the heater back, pull the table upwards , and press the vacuum icon to form the plastic.
- Pull the table lift handle all the way until it locks in place.
- This step must be done quickly to prevent the plastic from solidifying before vacuforming.
Step 5: Removal
- ap on the air icon and the vacuformer will push your part upwards to loosen all pieces.
- Remove your piece from the frame.
- Return the vacuformer to a ready to use state.
- Make sure you turn the heat off, and turn the machine off.
- Carefully remove all your 3d parts from your mold.
Notes
- Your panel has sharp corners.
- Round these by cutting them down.
- If your objects were placed too close together, the plastic probably ‘webbed’ together or became too thin in some parts.
- As long as there are no punctures in the plastic, it is safe to use. Otherwise ask a mentor for help in creating a new mold.
