WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE?
In this lesson, thermoplastics and vacuum forming was taught in class. Examples were given by the teaching assistant. She also showed her work which which she made using the thermoplastic method.
WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE TECHNIQUE?
The relevant materials are 100% polyester, objects like marbles, acrylic pieces which you can tie into the polyester to make forms onto the polyester, with rubber bands. And lastly, objects which can be vacuum formed.
HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS TECHNIQUE?
In order to use the thermoplastic technique, start by tying objects like marbles etc into the polyester, and tie it with rubber band. Furthermore, you can manipulate the polyester by twisting, tying a knot, etc to create a texture too. After that, wrap it in a foil to keep it from opening up when boiling. Boil up to about 45 minutes to make sure the objects that are tied into the polyester makes an inprint on to the polyester, to prevent material wastage. For vacuum forming, materials are just placed into the vacuum form machine, with a piece of plastic over, to create the form by heat and vacuum.
WHAT ARE THE USES AND APPLICATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUE?
Uses and applications for the thermoplastic technique can create wearable art which is very interesting and useful. As usually most of these wearable art are very expensive. By doing it yourself, it is cheaper and customisable as to size and design.
For the vacuum form technique, the form can be made, and resin can be used to create things like jewellery, furnitures etc which is really useful and fun.
PROCESS OF VACUUM FORMING
PROCESS OF THERMOPLASTICS
OWN PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
Both techniques are really useful. The thermoplastic technique can be use to make lamp shade, curtains, which you can make together, and make it a set. It will look great in a home, around the house.