The Trick to Optically Clear Parts with 3D Printed Molds

I design 3D printable RC car body shells, but making clear windshields and windows was a problem I couldn’t crack, every attempt at vac forming acrylic or polycarbonate either melted my 3D printed mold or bonded the part to it permanently.
In this video I break down why standard vac forming fails on 3D printed molds (it comes down to heat and draft angle), and the two-sided mold method I landed on instead: pressing the part into shape by hand at a much lower plastic temperature, so the mold never gets hot enough to fail. Result: optically clear parts, straight off a 3D printed mold.
Vac forming basics, why deep-draw molds need more heat, draft angle explained with an ice cube tray, the two-sided mold fix, PET forming temp and cycle time.
#3DPrinting #RCCars #Thermoforming #Maker #Prototyping

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