Thermoforming/ Vacuum forming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a malleable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape using a mold. The negative created can be used as a mold itself, product…
Turn on the thermoforming machine and wait for it to heat up
Use the correct template, that corresponds with the mould size and lock the PVC sheet in between the 2 plates.
Once the thermoforming machine reaches its optimal temperature, pull the heater so that it covers the PVC sheet. Wait for few minutes until the PVC sheet surface is clear from distortions
Turn on the vacuum and use the lever to push the mould upwards. Depending on the mould, the air flow can be inverted to raise the PVC sheet (balloon shaped), to achieve higher quality details
Result #1
Result #2
Result #3
Reflection:
Difficulty encountered: Inverting the air flow to inflate the soft plastic outwards and achieving better details when the air is sucked back in.
The air flow needs to be inverted when the lever is pulled and the base plate raised halfway – 3/4 way towards the soft plastic.
Overall it is fast and accurate way to replicate and make negative impressions that can be used as moulds.
It is the process of reshaping synthetic fabric into new configurations by pleating, moulding or crushing, using heat to alter the molecular structure and subsequently stabilize itself when cooled.
Relevant materials
– Organza polyester
– Aluminum foil
– Elastic bands
– Small objects that can take heat; water resistant and no colour run
– Electric heater and pot
Process:
Wrap and tie the small objects onto the fabric
Use aluminum foil to protect the fabric from the intense heat
The object can be further secured using elastic bands
Place the objects inside a boiling pot of water and leave for 45min-1h15min
Leave to dry. Do not stretch the material after harvest
Result
Reflection:
Interesting technique to create form and to give texture to fabric.
From the results, i noticed that the technique is more suited for lateral dispersion of form/texture (purple) rather than longitudinal (grey). Skeptical point: How far can we create form and texture longitudinally?
It is the process of fusing unwanted plastic bags into new materials
Relevant materials
– Plastic bags
– Baking Paper
– Scissors
– Iron
Process
1.
Sandwich unwanted plastics between baking paper and apply heat using an iron. The order should be: Baking paper down, Plastics, Baking paper up. After few seconds, lift the iron and check if the fusion is complete
Repeat process
Result #1
Result #2
2.
Repeat above process
Result #3
3.
Repeat above process
Result #4
Reflection:
Above technique should be practiced in a well ventilated place: the plastic fumes gave me a headache.
Realised that fusing different thickness of plastic yields different strength to the fused plastics.
From result #1, #2, #3, the thinner plastic melts and contracts faster than the thicker plastic: creating a cupping effect.
Arranging plastic strips into grids and fusing them with a thinner plastic, give the latter better structural strength.
Using the original designs of the plastic to create new designs:
Framing of typographic elements.
Reusing and fusing the plastic handles.
From above observation, new techniques can be developed
It is the transference process of an image onto fabric or other materials via a substrate. The image is transferred via heat and pressure
This technique relies on the fact that dyes
sublime when heated which is sometimes also
known as sublimation printing
Relevant materials
– Fabric: 100% Polyester/Cotton
– Flat Surfaces: Wood, Metal
– Baking Paper
– Transprint Ink
– Wax Crayon
– Digital Print on TTC/CPM
– Hot Iron
– Heat Press Machine
Process
1. Apply the transprint ink onto the image (image can be from the texture of a leaf) 2. Sandwich between baking paper and apply heat using an iron The order should be: Baking paper down, Surface, Image print, Baking paper up. 3. After few seconds, lift the iron and check if the transference is complete
1.
Result #1 Wet Transfer/ Direct Printing
Result #2 Dry transfer
Result #3 Wet Transfer/ Indirect Printing
1. Laser print the desired design onto the TTC paper (for light coloured fabric) or CPM paper (for non fabric hard surface) 2. Sandwich between baking paper and apply heat using an iron The order should be: Baking paper down, Surface, Image print, Baking paper up. 3. Set the timer around 30 sec and temperature to 200 degree Celsius. 4. Press and lock the heat press machine and wait for the timer to go off. 5. Hot peel or cool peel depending on the material.Setup details for the heat press machine
2.
Result #1 Digital Transfer on MDF using CPM print
Result #2 DIgital Transfer on plywood using CPM print
3.
Result #1: Digital transfer on cotton (left) and polyester (right) fabric using TTC print
Result #2: Digital transfer on cotton (left) and polyester (right) fabric using TTC print
Reflection:
For Transprint
Lots of trial and error before getting satisfactory results.
Realised that wet transfer/ indirect printing is more suited for finer detailed objects like feathers.
For Digital print
Setup details for the heat press machine is accurate: varies slightly for time and temperature
Shorter time can be compensated by higher temperature, vice versa
The plywood print was unsatisfactory, possible reasons:
Should have been pressed for a longer time period.
Should have been prepared and sanded more.
Cushioning would have ensure proper datum surface for printing, baking paper and tissue paper were used instead. (Tip from Touch Print field trip)
Printing on fabric was successful, albeit the distortion caused by the peel off
Should consider the grain direction of the fabric. The paper is best peeled at a 45 degree angle. (Tip from Touch Print field trip)
