read and follow the below safety instructions before attempting
A
...
Only
use
the machine
•
Read
and understand all
• This
•
II"
•
•
II"
...
...
.,..
...
...
...
.,..
.,..
is
a 'single person operating' machine.
Do
not operate the machine until you have been trained
Users
of
this machine should complete regular competence tests.
Check
your supply voltage
machine's electrical specification
You
must ensure
If your machine
The
earth wire
The
live wire
The
neutral wire
Only suitably qualified personnel should make electrical connections
Turn
off
the machine and disconnect the power supply when the machine
The heater
This
enter the vacuum system. Ensure
vacuum circuit. Severe damage may
Note the safety warning labels situated on
labels from the machine.
Never remove any panels unless
Ensure
any scrap .
Daily repetitive
possible strains. Operators should
minimise these effects.
and
machine
that
is
the area surrounding the machine
for
vacuum forming plastic.
of
this user manual.
and
frequency. Make sure
is
on the plate on
that
the machine
is
not
equipped with a moulded mains connector then note
is
GREEN
is
BROWN
is
pump on this model are
fitted with a dry running vacuum pump.
use
of
this or any other machine may lead
is
with a YELLOW
BLUE
that
the
electrical supply
be
properly earthed
not
moulds are properly sealed
be
caused
the
trained in
It
is
not intended
and
it
is
compatible with your machine. Your
the
Left hand side.
and
stripe .
===
intended
to
be
Do
if
the above
front
and rear panels. Never remove any warning
has
been isolated .
is
clean and frequently cleared
the
use
of
to
install
or
operate your machine.
for
any other purpose.
are fully conversant with it.
fused.
that
:
is
not
in
use
.
left running indefinitely.
not
lubricate.
is
not
to
a)
fatigue and
correct lifting techniques in order
Do
not
to
prevent ingress
observed.
loss
allow any liquid
of
dust into
of
finished product and
of
concentration
to
the
b)
to
Page
3
Safety
Hazards specific
It
is
vital
that
aware
of
the
1. Electric shock.
This machine
NEVER
WHEN
ONLY A QUALIFIED
AND
ALLOWING
ATIEMPT
ALL
SHOULD
A 2. Burning.
Parts
of
this machine reach temperatures in excess
LABELLING
SPECIAL
OPERATING
USE
HANDLING
TOUCHING
ON
PRECAUTIONS
PERSONAL
to
this machine.
any person using this machine and
potential hazards
uses
Voltages up
ANY
COVERS
SERVICES
AREA
HOT
HOT
HAVE
ELECTRICAL
BE
RESPONSIBLE
TO
THE
HEATER
DURING
PROTECTIVE
VACUUM
SURFACES
that
REPAIR
BEEN
BE
RESTORED.
& H
MUST
USE.
FORMED
.
could arise
to
240Vac.
UNLESS
FOR
EATER
BE
EQUIPMENT
THE
REPLACED.
TECHNICIAN
ENSURING
GUARD
TAKEN
PARTS,
the
person(s) responsible
from
the
ELECTRICAL
MAY
THATTHE MACHINE
.
TO
ENSURE
SUCH
AS
MANUALLY
use and misuse.
SUPPLY
WORK
ON
of
300°C.
THAT
GLOVES
ASSISTING
ANY
ONLY
WHEN
for
the
health & safety is made fully
DISCONNECTED.
PARTS
NOTE
THE
CARRYING
IS
IN A SAFE
THE
'
HOT
MACHI
TESTING
THE
FORMING
THE
ONLY
MAINS
CONDITION
SURFACES'
NE
OPERATOR
HEATED
PROCESSS
SWITCH
VOLTAGE
BEFORE
SAFETY
IS
IN
PLAST
AND
ON
THE
IC,
INFRARED
TYPE
WAIT UNTIL
RADIATION
OF
RADIATION
THE
IS
EMITIED
IS
SHORT
MACHINE
3. Toxic Fume Inhalation.
When plastic sheet
ENSURE
RESPONSIBILITY
TO
ANY
4.
CARE
ARE
KEEP
THATTHE MACHINE
ASSESS
Injury
THE
NECESSARY
from
IS
REQUIRED
NOT
TRAPPED
HANDS
is
heated fumes will be given
OF
THE
RISKS
ASSOCIATED
PRECAUTIONS
Trapping.
WHEN
.
CLEAR
OF
THE
OWNER
5. Fire.
RISK
OF
FIRE
FIRE
SAFETY
IT
IS
ESSENTIAL
DRY
POWDER
AS A RESULT
TRAINING
TO
HAVE
(BLUE)
OF
IS
PERFORMED & CONTROLLED
FIREFIGHTING
OR
CARBON
BY
THE
OR
COMPLETELY
HAS
COOLED
IS
POSITIONED
OR
DESIGNATED
WITH
REQUIRED
OPERATING
HEATER
HEAT
RAILS
AND
DIOXIDE
QUARTZ
DOWN
ANY
SUCH
THE
CLAMPING
WHEN
PLASTICS
EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
(BLACK)
HEATERS, ENSURE
AVOIDED
BEFORE
off
.
IN
AN
ADEQUATELY
RESPONSIBLE
DANGEROUS
AS
FUME
FRAME
PULLING
PRESENTS
.
FIRE
.
SERVICE
FUMES
EXTRACTION
THE
EXTINGUISHERS.
WORK
VENTILATED
PERSON
GIVEN
TO
ENSURE
HEATER
AN
EMERGENCY
AT
OR
THAT
ANY
COMMENCES
PLACE.
FOR
HEALTH
OFF
AND
PRIOR
TO
THAT
FORWARDS
SITUATION.
NEAR
THE
EXPOSURE
.
IT
IS
THE
AND
TO
DETERMINE
USE
.
FINGERS
MACHINE.
OR
.
ENSURE
TO THIS
SAFETY
HANDS
USE
-
Page
4
-
-
-
-
Safety
6. Prohibited Uses
DO
NOT
USE
THIS
MACHINE
MOULDING
DO
NOT
OF
THE
POWDER,
MATERIALS.
DO
NOT
UNDER
DO
NOT
OTHER
DO
NOT
OTHER
DO
NOT
DO
NOT
OTHER
OF
PLASTICS
USE
THE
HEATER
VACUUM
DUST,
ALL
USE
THE
TABLE
ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES.
USE
THE
CLAMPING
THAN
THE
CLAMPING
USE
THE
MATERIALS
USE
THE
MACHINE
USE
ANY
OTHER
THAN
THE
HEATER
SHEET
FORMING
TYPES
MECHANISM
TOP
OF
.
PART
FOR
ANY
.
TO
APPLY
PROCESS
OF
LIQUID, WOOD,
FRAME
OF
SHEET
THE
HEATER
TO
STACK
OF
THE
HANDLE
.
PURPOSES
HEAT
TO
SUCH AS:
TO
CLAMP, COMPRESS,
TO
CLAMP
PLASTICS
OR
OR
LEAN
HEATER
OTHER
ANY
PAPER,
COMPRESS,
AS
TOP
OF
ITEMS
TO
MOVE
THAN
MATERIAL
FOOD
PART
METALS
OF
THE
HEATER
AG
INST
THE
PRODUCTS,
THE
OTHER
AND
FOLD
FOLD
THE
VACUUM
THE
SIDES
HEATER
VACUUM
THAN
ALL
ANY
FORMS
OR
APPLY
OR
APPLY
FORMING
GUARD
.
FORWARDS
FORMING
PLASTIC
TYPES
OF
FORCE
FORCE
TO
STACK
AND
AND
BLOW
SHEET
OF
COMBUSTABLE
AS
PART
PARTICLES,
TO
ANY
ITEM
TO
ANY
ITEM
PROCESS
PLASTICS
BACKWARDS
.
OR
-
-
-
-
DO
NOT
USE
OR
MODIFY
DEVICE
THIS
THE
RESPONSIBLE
THIS
Transportation / Positioning
The
bench,
sufficient for the
300XQ
Noise emissions
Noise emissions on
Machine storage
The Formech 300XQ must
OR
TO
IS
NOT
USE
OF
MACHINE.
300XQ
will
table or
trolley,
APPLY
AN
EXHAUSTIVE
THIS
MACHINE MUST
FOR
be
supplied strapped to a Pallet or
300XQ
machine
ensure
THE
MODIFICATIONS
LIST
THE
HEALTH
trolley.
that the 2
the
Ensure
weight. A minimum
machine
Formech 300XQ are
be
stored in a
ELECTRICAL
TO
THE
OF
THE
POSSIBLE
BE
ASSESSED,
AND
SAFTEY
that the structure,
retaining
dry
POWER
of 2 persons
less
IN
MACHINE
MISSUSE
MONITORED
IN
THE
in
a crate.
size
screws
than 70dB(A).
environment.
THE
INTERNAL
OR
ITS
FUNCTIONS.
OF
THIS
AND
ORGANISATION
The
machine
and
load
bearing
are
required to lift the
are
fitted to the
WIRING
MACHINERY.
CONTROLLED
THAT
under side
TO
OWNS
may
unpacked
capacity
machine.
of the trolley I Machine.
SUPPLY
BY
AND
of
the
In
ANY
THE
OPERATES
and
placed
bench
the
case
OTHER
PERSON
on
or table
of
the
a
is
Page
5
lntrodudion and initial assembly
The
Formech 300XQ
definition mouldings in up
components and
Your Formech machine
lx
Electrical cable
is
a highly versatile, manually operated Vacuum Forming Machine
to
6mm thick material.
for
the blow moulding
is
supplied with
of
lx
Installation/Operations/Repair
It
is
intended
heated plastics.
Manual
for
use
only
that
for
the Vacuum forming
lx
EC
Certificate
will produce high
of
plastics
of
conformity
(•)The 300XQ machine
ENSURE
HANDSIDE
THE
THAT
OF
HANDLE.
THE
THE
TABLE
MACHINE.
is
fully assembled except
LEVER
IS
TIGHTLY
IF
OPERATED
lx
Table lever (a)
for
the table lever.
SCREWED
WITH
THE
INTO
LEVER
THE
CRANK
LOOSENED
MECHANISM
YOU
MAY
DAMAGE
lx
Table mesh
ON
THE
RIGHT
THE
CRANK
._
......
OR
--
Page
6
_
..
-
Optional
The following items
1. Machine trolley with castors
extras
can
be purchased
for
your 300XQ vacuum forming machine
2.
Reducing windows
3. Blow mould
window
-
-
-
-
4.
Service kit
1. The Formech machine trolley allows you
the trolley remains in position all the time. Underneath there
moulds.
2.
Formech have available a standard
254mm x 228mm . Formech
sales
contact our
3.
You
can
window
please contact our
4.
maintenance information contained in this manual; however the table and clamp
to
contains
year on year.
to
It
is
unlikely
be
consumable items, will need
the
department.
use
your vacuum forming machine
your machine. The maximum diameter you will get on the 300XQ
sales
that
you will need
essential consumables
can
also produce special
department.
to
to
to
easily move your 300XQ machine. The 2 locking castors assure
sizes
of
reducing plates.
size
to
do blow moulding by fitting a special circular reducing
service
(seals
or
repair your machine
be
replaced depending on the
and
pump filter)
is
also
space
to
store plastic material
This
reducing plate allows
reducing windows . For more information please
is
for
many years provided you
usage
of
the machine. Therefore this kit
to
ensure a good performance
the
use
300mm.
seals
For
more information
, which are considered
of
your machine
and
of
plastic
follow
size
the
Page
7
General Arrangement
ELECTRICAL
Standard Voltage: 220-240
Standard
Standard
1. Specification Plate. This states
2.
Power Inlet receptacle . The machine
SPECIFIC
fr
eq
uency: 50/60!-lz
Max Power: 2.3Kw
ATIO
the
and then into a suitable power socket.
supplied
Note
with
a lead
the
safety labelling.
not
terminated
into
Spech:a
1.
2. Power inlet receptade
3. Power switch
4. Clamp frame
5. Matera! damps
6. Heater
7. Vacuum\pressure valve
8. Table lev
9. Control
10. Pump switch
1
1.
MECHANICAL SPEO
N
Standard material size 450mm x 300mm (18'' x 12'')
Maximum forming area
Maximum depth
3.
Before commencing any repair work always remove
4.
Clamp Frame.
5.
Material
frame
the
This
holds
Clamps. These clamps fix
material clamps are adjusted by tightening
until they are fully over-centre. Adjustment may only be carried
clamp frame
6.
Heater Box. This carries
is
self adjusting.
is
the main switch. When in
the
the
plastic material in position during
the
Clamp Frame firmly down. After placing
or
the
heating elements and
is
the
OFF
position power
mains lead
from
the
Power Inlet Receptacle.
the forming and release processes.
loosening
the
orange nutlets.
out
while
not
under pressure. The rear
drawn forward by pulling
is
cut
to
all functions .
the
plastic under
The
levers are pulled up
the
centrally mounted
handle.
7.
Vacuum/Pressure Valve. When
the
vacuum pump
is
running this val
ve
switches between removing air
from between the mould and moulding during forming (vacuum) and introducing air between
for
moulding
finished part release (pressure).
the
mould and
the
clamp
of
the
Page
-
8
-
General Arrangement
<cont.)
-
-
-
-
8. Table Lever. When pulled towards you the table will rise
pressure will lock the table in this position. During forming
plastic and locked in place
lower position by pushing the handle back and away.
NOTE
: A mechanical interlock designed
table being raised unless the heater box
9. Control Panel.
10. Vacuum Pump ON/OFF switch .
air between
the
mould.
11.
Air
pressure outlet. When the vacuum pump
used
to
supply or run other equipment when not being
attempt
to
See
the
plastic sheet and the mould. It also provides pressure
connect
to
ensure a good vacuum
to
prevent a mould being raised into the heating elements stops the
is
fully back.
below control panel layout.
This
turns the vacuum pump on and
air
supply. This machine
- 4''
is
running, the pressure
DOES
NOT require air supply.
,
,
~
_
seal.
used
...
the
At the end
for
l
llll
• •
to
the upper
table complete
of
to
vacuum forming. Do
0
limit
with
the cycle the table
off
. The vacuum pump evacuates the
release the finished moulding
is
diverted
l
0
. A
further
mould
is
lifted into the
is
to
this outlet. This
not
block this
application
returned
outlet
to
from
can
of
hot
the
be
or
-
-
15
12. Heater Zone layout
13. Heater standby level contr
14. Zone power level controls
12. Heater Zone layout. Pictogram showing the corresponding zone layout
13. Heater Standby Level (Power Saving Feature). The 300XQ
This means
is
moved
For this feature
continuous usage the standby level may
level
plastic may take a
Safety
14. Heater Zone Controls.
control panel. This
moulds
the other zones surrounding it. The back zone 3 also tends
rear
that
when
the
heater
from
the rear position the elements begin
to
work effectively the power level at rest
to
be
set higher. For non-time critical
few
extra seconds
Notice: It
or
difficult plastics.
of
the machine
is
advisable
Never leave
The 300XQ heater
is
to
allow the user maximum flexibility especially when producing mouldings from difficult
It
is
heated
is
not
actually heating plastic
be
to
heat, the overall power saving will
to
monitor
the
machine unattended when actively heating plastic.
is
usual
to
by
the heater when
ol
to
heat up
set lower. For infrequent usage
uses
the standby level
the
heating stage
is
divided into 4 zones
turn
the centre zone 1 down slightly because
it
is
not heating plastic. A key feature
15. Hea
16. Vacuum Gauge
is
supplied with fast acting heating elements.
the
power
to
the set power level.
or
standby must be set
can
by
making
as
to
stay
hotter
ter timer
of
the quartz heater zones.
can
be
turned down.
to
it
may be required
be
set at about
be
substantial
frequent
shown by the diagram (12)
than
observations.
it
gains extra heat from
the
front
As
approx.
for
10%.
Although the
zone 4 because the
of
quartz heating
the heater
30%.
the standby
on
For
the
is
Page
9
the response time
the element power level
accustomed
15.
Digital
Timer
will be nearly constant
moulding then set
forward
then pushed back. The set
zero.
The
completed
standby posi
16.
achieved
such levels are
the
timer
has
the
Vacuum Gauge. This
at
for
changing
within
to
setting
the
. When producing a quantity
for
the
timer
timer
counts down from
built in safety features .
set
time
the
tion
after a
further
the
table mould area during moulding. It
not
achieved check your mould I table configuration & clamp I plastic
to
different power levels. The zone controllers are highly accurate and keep
1%
of
the
zone controls
each one. In this
(in seconds) using
time
is
heater will switch
2 minutes then
is
situated on
for
the
stored until
If
the
requested setting. Beginners
best results.
of
mouldings using
case
the
the
set time
it
is
the
heater
to
the
top
RHS
timer
UP/
DOWN
and
sounds a buzzer when zero
altered .
is
forward for more than 2 minutes
the standby setting.
heater will
of
the
is
usual
the
can
be used. Record
buttons
If
you don't
turn
off
front
panel and gives indicat ion
to
expect approx 22"Hg I -750mbar
to
vacuum forming will quickly become
same mould and plastic
the
heating
the
buttons. When
is
want
to
use the timer, set
If
the
heater
all power
to
the
seal
the
heating time
time
for
the
heater
reached. The heater is
the
after
the
is
not
returned
heating elements.
of
the
vacuum level
of
ing.
the first
is
pulled
time to
timer
has
to
the
vacuum. If
-
Reducing Windows
Reducing windows allow
better
sheet utilisation.
To
fit
the
reducing wi
1. Lift
2.
3.
the
Place
screws are
Place
on
the
frame bar. The
fitted
below
ndow
clamp frame.
the lower reducing
al
igned.
the
top
reducing window plate on
front
and rear.
through
of
the
side view
Rear of clamp frame
the
use
of
smaller sheet material
.
window
The
front
fold
is
clamp frame bar and reducing plate and secured using
of
the
top
plate on to
the
rear edge
smaller and returns against
plate
has
the larger return and wraps completely around
fitting
.
Si
ide vtew
for
the top
underside
smaller mouldings. Reducing windows all
frame aperture
of
the
clamp frame. There are folded sections
the
front
ow
so
that
the corn
clamp frame bar. The fixing bolt
the
fixing n
er
locating
ut
..
the
See
clamp
diagram
Front
-
for
-
-
is
-
-
4.
Close
the clamp frame.
the
sealed lower reducing plate. The material toggle clamps will need adjusting so
frame
can
be
locked
Check
to
achieve
alignment
the
oftop
and
necessary clamping pressur
bottom
plate. Fit
e.
the
requ ired plastic
that
material
the
clamp
Page
on
10
-
......
Operating procedures
BASIC
OPERATION
-
Turn the power switch
timer
digital
illuminate. - Zones 2, 3 & 4 at about 75% (l l
Set
the timer
button .
in the
to
12
l
to
ON.
The
front
panel will - Zone 1 at
zero using 'DOWN'
Set
the zone controls
60%,
With the heater fully back and
mould table in the up position
place your mould
as
below:
onto it. !
3
l
the
Set
the heater standby level
about
30%
Place
the table into the lower
position
away from you
by
pushing the table lever
to
-
Open the material clamps and
raise the clamp frame
(ll
Each
line in the heating zone corresponds
12
l When set
3
!
lA
wire mesh
to
zero the
is
timer
supplied with your machine
of
Position a sheet
aperture. The plastic should close
completely cover the white
around
will count up. This will help you establish
the
aperture.
to
10% power.
to
be
plastic over the
seals
placed under the mould
Pull
the clamp frame down and
the
material clamps
the
time
for
the heating cycle.
to
assist with vacuum airflow.
Page
11
-
Operating
BASIC
OPERATION
Depending on
I.
th
ickness you
to
screws on
clamps
the
use
the
plastic.
(Cont.)
to
procedures
the
plastic
may
need
adjusting
the
material
properly gr
ip
II.
Pull
the
heater
over
the
plastic.
plastic heats
begin
to
rise slightly.
will
then
soften and begin
to
drop
back.
forward
As
up
it
the
will
It
Ill.
Push
the
slightly
softness
Continue
soft
to
enough
heater back
test
the
of
the
plasti
to
heat
until it is
to
form.
-
c.
-
At
IV.
the
back
If
the
Let
cool
pulling
downwards
plastic is still
VII.
3
(
l Remember
4
(
l
this point, push back
heater
the
all
the
way
finished moulding VIII.
down a little
the
that
the
before
release valve
4
(
l
heater
must
too
soft
when you
be
v.
fully
back before
try
to
the
Turn on
pump and raise
until
into
place. (
Finally,
and release
clamps
finished moulding
release it, some
vacuum
you can feel
3
l
lower
the
the
to
remove
the
table
the
table
it
lock
table
material
the
can be raised
distortion
VI.
may occur.
The plastic
around
You may need
this process.
will
the
mould tool.
form
to
assist
Page
12
-
F.A.Q.
How
long
does
it
take
to
heat the
plastic
sheet?
-
-
How
do
Why
is
the
Why
can't I achieve
This depends on which material and thickness
I
know
when
the
plastic
is
ready
to
form?
Generally speaking
is
ready
to
form when
known
as
glass
timer
for
accurate and repeated heating cycles
plastic
webbing
Material
Insufficient vacuum.
Excess
Poor mould design.
is
too
of
material.
good
Material
Mould
Insufficient vacuum.
Insufficient vacuum holes
too
too
cold.
it
is
necessary with any new material
it
becomes soft and pliable especially nearer
transition temperature
on
the
mould?
hot
.
Use
reducing windows.
definition
cold
on
the
in
the mould
(Tg).
finished
Once you have established the time you
part?
is
specified.
to
establish the correct heating cycle. Plastic
to
the clamping frame. This
can
set
the
is
heater
....,
Why
Is
the
plastic
thinning
Sheet cooled whilst forming.
Mould design with insufficient
2 Quartz Heating Element, Zone 2
3 Quartz Heating Element, Zone 1,3
1
Quartz heating Element, Zone 4
1 Heater Cablinq (m)
Heater Cablinq (m)
1
1 Heater Cabling (m)
1 Sleeving HT
5 Ceramic Terminal Block
1 Cable chain
1
Cable chain end Bracket set Brkt 20012
1 Heater handle
2
Toaale Clamps Toaale Clamp 300XQ
2 T oaale Clamp Nu
2 Clamp Frame Grip 300XQ Clamp frame grip
1 Crank Handle Knob, 32dia M8 ball M8 ball knob
Sprinq, Interlock Std Interlock sprinq
1
1 5M Seal kit, 5M Top seal, 3m table seal, sealant Seal kit A 300XQ
1 10M Seal kit, 10M Top seal, 3m table seal, sealant Seal Kit B 300XQ
1 Sea lant 85ml
4 Foot
Vacuum Valve, 5/3, 1/4"
1
1 Vacuum Pump
1/4" bore PVC tube (m) Pipe 63/115
1
1 3/8" bore PVC tube (m)
1 /4" to 6mm Hoseta il, Straiqht
4
1/4" to 10mm Hosetail, Elbow
1
Pipe Clip for 1/4" pipe
8
Pipe Clip for 3/8" pipe Clip F
2
Vacuum Gauge
1
1 Pump Filter
300XQ Heat Controller
1
5 Knob
Paddle Switch
1
Mains Inlet
1
In
1
1
1
1 Mains lead, 16A. UK to C19
1
3
1 Mesh
line fuse Holder
Fuse 12.5A
Limit Switch
Mains lead, 16A, Schuko to C19
Label 'Hot Surfaces'