Here is a quick tutorial in vacuforming a clear canopy:
Have the blank ready and place on the vacuform machine top to decide how to place it. For small blank it makes no difference
Tools:
- oven gloves ( to protect your hands while removing the frame from the hot oven.
- a shop vac or a vacuum cleaner with good suction
- two bricks to place in the oven. These are platforms for the frame while in the oven.
Canopy material:
- I use clear PETG plastic sheets of 0.010" or 0.015" inches thick.
This is best used for small to medium size canopies. You can go to 0.020" thick sheets for larger canopies.
- depending on your vacuform frame, you need to cut the sheet to match the frame.
Process:
- Heat the oven to 350 deg F ( or approx 180 deg C )
- place the pre cut plastic sheet/ frame on the bricks in the oven and close the door.
- put on the oven gloves
-wait 30 seconds
- turn on the vacuum
- remove the hot frame from oven quickly
- place flat against the vacuform machine and canopy blank and hold the frame in place ( do not touch the hot plastic, let the vacuum work for you ).
Canopy is now ready for framing
I made 3 canopies for each of my Yak 19, 25 and 30 models.
Isaac