www.TK560.com

[vacunoob]

Crazyfool inspired me to rise up! Uh, well I mean raise the platen to the frame and oven.

My area is a little tight so I'm unsure if I can squeeze in another pulley system (frame has a pulley system) so I was investigating rising up the platen via threaded rod, like a vice works. 1" - 8 threaded rods is reasonably priced and I can get my head around it... unlike pneumatics.

I know nothing about pneumatics or hydraulics so I don't even know where to begin.

Anybody have any experience with these types of raising systems?
_________________
Failure is only possible if you set a time limit.

Flickr: Vacuum Former Pics
Product I vacuum form- Laser Speed Grids

[speedofsound]

I'm using a pair of (electric) linear actuators to raise my frame to my overhead oven my improvised DIY design. I think they would work quite well for raising your platen.

Here's a video of a kitchen spice rack, although you don't have to use much imagination to envision your platen concept. Much easier two wire (low voltage) connection as opposed to dealing with air fittings/tubing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l88cbbNMjEY

Hope this helps,

Alan

[trapperdale]

vacunoob,

the threaded rod system is the way i was going to go.
my plan is to part out a chain drive garage door opener.
chain drives are the cheap ones always on sale around 90.00 bucks.
you get ...motor, chain, limit switches, and some gears.
you even get a remote to raise and lower your machine from a chair...

dale

[CrazyFool]

vacunoob,

Thanks for the props. Good luck in your search for the perfect design! I'm sure you can build a better raisable platen than mine. I got the initial pulley system idea from COD. (His pulley system is superior to mine.) I was in a serious rush to get my machine done and just slapped it together. You can see pictures of COD's machine here..

http://cjod.net/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=2

I don't know anything about pneumatics/hydraulics unfortunately. Sounds awesome though. I think these guys are using pneumatics but not with a raisable platen. I do like their machine though, especially their heating elements. If I ever build another machine I am planning to incorporate some of their ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgvLjkLTet4
http://www.steltercreative.com/STELTER1/Vacuum_Forminx.html

[vacunoob]

@CrazyFool Nice job with the website design. What are you up to these days?
_________________
Failure is only possible if you set a time limit.

Flickr: Vacuum Former Pics
Product I vacuum form- Laser Speed Grids