a. ACCESSIBILITY: To utilize the Vacuum Forming Equipment Safely and Successfully; Users require experience, extensive training, and constant monitoring/attention. Students are approved to use equipment, after attending a dFAB Certified Course and/or Training Session. Approved Users must abide by Reservation, Facility & Equipment Policy and Procedure to ensure a safe, and successful working environment.
b. SAFETY: Improper Equipment use, posing a threat to the User, or others; will be grounds for Equipment and/or Facility Suspension. Users must remain AWAKE and ATTENTIVE in the Vacuum Forming Area during Equipment Use and Reservation Time. Instances involving Equipment Fires should be reported to a dFAB Staff Member within (20) Seconds.
c. PROCEDURE: The Vacuum Forming Equipment involves several Procedural Steps that should be completed before, and after all operations. dFAB Staff is available for assistance. Should a User destroy, ruin, or damage any equipment accessories, due to improper completion or in-completion of correct Equipment Procedure; the User and Employee on duty will be fined 25% of the Full Cost to fix the Equipment.
d. CLEANING: You are required to clean up any leftover dust, debris and scrap left in the Vacuum Forming Area. Plan on 5-10 minutes to complete all clean-up tasks at the end of each job. If the room and/or equipment is not sufficiently cleaned, the student is subject to a Cleaning Fee.
e. FASTENING: All Fastening Methods are considered unnecessary and unacceptable: Duct-Tape, Double-Sided Tape, Glue and/or Screws etc. Fastening Methods that directly relate to the damage, destruction, or impairment of Equipment will result in FULL reimbursement from the User.
f. MATERIALS: Nearly ALL Plastics are approved for use with the Vacuum Forming Equipment. PVC or PVC Based materials (Any materials containing Chlorine) are banned from Equipment Processing. All other Materials are considered N/A. Recommended Materials include Low-Temperature Thermo-Plastics such as: Acrylic, Lexan Plastics, P.E.T.G., Styrene, PolyCarbonate and other Thin Sheet, Non-Toxic Plastics. If you have a question about any material that you would like to Form, please ASK!
g. MOLDS: Molds can be made from multiple materials. Recommended Material Substrates include, but are not limited to: MDF, Plywood, Foam, Aluminum, Machinable Wax etc. Foam Molds should be sealed BEFORE Vacuum Forming. All Molds must be free of dust, debris, and all Glue/Sealants must be COMPLETELY DRY before Vacuum Forming. Undercuts are not recommended.
h. APPROVAL: Equipment is for Research and Learning Purposes ONLY. File Preparation & Equipment Use MUST be Course Related. Instances involving, but not limited to: Crafts, Gifts, ‘Buggy’ Builds, Non/Minimal Design Related Competitions, Carnival Projects etc.; are NOT approved and will immediately be removed from the Work-Area.