Deep drawing is not one of the best-known production techniques in the maker sector, although it offers a wide range of possible applications. Particularly interesting is the combination with 3D printing, where not only the shape but also the material to be formed comes from the printer. A current project by Pisces Printing shows how this process can be implemented with 3D printing itself.
In thermoforming, a heated plastic film is stretched over a mold and adapted to its contour using negative pressure. Normally, these molds are made of wood, metal or CNC-milled plastic. However, 3D printing offers a cost-effective and flexible alternative. It is important that the design is precise so that the workpiece can be easily removed from the mold after forming.
In the current test, a protective cover for a bench lathe was manufactured from PETG. This showed that although 3D-printed deep-drawing molds are practical, they do not always deliver perfect results. For example, layer separation occurred in some areas, which indicates that the stability of the mould could be further optimized.
Details of the project can be found in this video:
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