At Custom Prototypes we have carried out various interesting projects with cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, but seldom we get an opportunity to swirl around traditional yet effective technologies like Vacuum-forming. This is recently, when a customer came up with an idea to produce shades for light fixtures for an exquisite Bistro in Toronto. Initially it seemed quite arduous to produce the shades just from a napkin sketch. After thorough discussions, considering the geometry, material and the functionality we deduced to opt for Vacuum-forming. The goal was to form shades that match and compliment the ambience and atmosphere of the Bistro.
![Vacuum-forming-light-shades](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6684a8_309020bf1bd3413fafc6817400c4e629~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png)
![Acrylic-shade](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6684a8_f4c7a73bf031456887004cd7c0f3104e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_970,al_c,q_80/file.png)
Contemplation and action work hand in hand, we were able to produce some elegant shades of sign-white Acrylic. The process was initiated by generating a tailored 3D design to produce a mould for vac-forming.
Simply, the process entails heating a plastic sheet until it is soft. The soft sheet is then draped around a mould to which vacuum is applied. The sheet then takes the shape of the mould.
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The Different Types of 3D Printing Technologies
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