My recommendation: if you want to get a consistent pressure on the part to form it to the mold, warm both the mold and the part and quickly put them into a vacuum seal bag that you'd use to store food. Then use the vacuum heat sealer to draw out the air and then heat seal the bag. The outside ambient pressure should press the acrylic into the shape in the mold. Wait for both the mold and part to cool, and when you open the bag the part will retain the shape you want. I've successfully used this method to form vegetable tanned leather perfectly around shapes to make custom leather holders for various tools and electronics. For the electronics, I'll 3D print the object for the leather to be molded. Hope this helps and let us know if it works.
Thx. I like the idea of the vacuum bag. I was going to print the 2 parts of the mold, but even with PETG, it would warp with heat. I was thinking of making it water cooled
@@SerendipitySue I didn't have a specific piece in mind. Yes the tolerances are very tight. That is what to this day separates the Lego brand from the many imitators. I know there are a couple of websites that sell 3d printed Lego train tracks. I wish I could have some ball and socket joints in purple but they have never been made in that color.
My recommendation: if you want to get a consistent pressure on the part to form it to the mold, warm both the mold and the part and quickly put them into a vacuum seal bag that you'd use to store food. Then use the vacuum heat sealer to draw out the air and then heat seal the bag. The outside ambient pressure should press the acrylic into the shape in the mold. Wait for both the mold and part to cool, and when you open the bag the part will retain the shape you want. I've successfully used this method to form vegetable tanned leather perfectly around shapes to make custom leather holders for various tools and electronics. For the electronics, I'll 3D print the object for the leather to be molded. Hope this helps and let us know if it works.
Thx. I like the idea of the vacuum bag. I was going to print the 2 parts of the mold, but even with PETG, it would warp with heat. I was thinking of making it water cooled
Good stuff!!
Nice work. I wonder how a resin 3D print might have turned out.
I have a small Elgoo Resin Printer. I've printed "clear" resin with it. It comes out transparent
Vacuforming? Can use much thinner plastic sheet then :)
Have you thought about trying to duplicate Lego elements? There are some that are very hard to find and many that only came in 1 ot 2 colors.
Do you have a photo of one of them? LEGO blocks have a really tight tolerance.
@@SerendipitySue I didn't have a specific piece in mind. Yes the tolerances are very tight. That is what to this day separates the Lego brand from the many imitators. I know there are a couple of websites that sell 3d printed Lego train tracks. I wish I could have some ball and socket joints in purple but they have never been made in that color.
What about resin printing?
I have a small Elgoo Resin printer. When I print Clear resin it still comes out translucent