A PRESSURE-BUBBLE VACUUM FORMING PROCESS FOR POLYSTYRENE SHEET

The paper reports the results of a study on the effect of selected conditions of a pressure-bubble vacuum forming for polystyrene sheet on the non-uniformity of wall thickness of finished parts. The investigation was performed using DOE methods. Variables for the tests included temperatures in the external and internal zones of the heaters as well as heating time. The results demonstrate that the heating time and temperature in the internal zone formed by the heater have a statistically significant effect on the finished part’s wall thickness at the measuring points. It has been found that the side walls and bottom of the finished part are uniformly deformed, and thus exhibit the lowest wall thickness non-uniformity at a heating time of 22s (corresponding to the middle of the measuring range). Also, it is observed that the application of low temperatures in both zones of the heater has a positive effect. Due to the use of bubble, the finished parts exhibit a much lower wall thickness non-uniformity compared to those produced without bubble.