Tooling The Vacform Group has recently invested in state of the art industry standard tool making technology and hardware. This, combined with our ongoing staff training programme, means that virtually any vacuum forming challenge problem can be overcome due to out technical competence and hands on experience. Tools can be manufactured from wood, resin, model board or aluminium depending on the type of moulding method to be used and the tool life required. Aluminium tools can be temperature controlled during the forming process to protect critical aspects. We can accept part design information as paper drawings, an existing part to be copied or as electronic data in 2D or 3D formats. Alternatively we can take a conceptual brief and turn this into a working prototype via the design process. We have a Bridgeport VMC which is used extensively in the tool making process. This allows us flexibility in fitting into our customers timescales. Our CAD/CAM package has extensive functionality for dealing with 2D and 3D Surface and Solid models. The tooling process is generally a technical and manufacturing challenge for our team. Our brief is originally taken based upon the function of the final product, however we also have to consider both the timescales involved in manufacture and naturally the production costs. The design process generally follows this critical design path - Concept and design brief Initial CAD Designs from working specifications 3D visualisation Assessment of 3d model Amends to 3d model Model approved Prototype tool formed Tooling approval Review of prototype Sign off and approval of production samples This process is a tried and tested method which helps us to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion to the majority of our forming challenges.