Thermo-formed Corian wall cap. Pics added

[Crazyraceguy]

I should have taken a pic of the actual machine, but this is the end result.
I get better pics tomorrow when it goes back onto the wall where it belongs.
We got the oven and vacuum press a few months ago, but covid and the supply shortages from it have kept it from being wired up and functional. I just got it working in time for this job.
I'm looking forward to experimenting with it.
The oven and vacuum press itself, with the first form I made for it and the first product from it.

 

[Peter_C]

Bending Corian is one of my favorite things about the material. I have a floating bathroom vanity built from off cuts that is curved like a Nike swoosh...well kinda, not so pronounced.

Cool project!

 

[kevin clifford]

I had no idea that any company made a specific oven for it. I worked at a shop that had an old pizza oven that was used specifically for heating and bending sheets.
Does this heat and vacuum down to forms you're building? Damn cool though.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Yeah Kevin C, there are actually a few companies who make specific ovens for Solid Surface material.
We had one in the old shop, before the fire, that was much larger, but it was oven only, no press.
The first replacement we ordered was similar to that, but slightly narrower. It was even made in the US, but it arrived damaged by the shipper and was quite a hassle to get returned, then covid shut down everything. In the mean time, this was discovered after some more searching. It's a far more comprehensive solution. The main oven is underneath the press, but it is also able to heat from above to. That is the purpose of that upper cover. It generates heat and holds it in. That is not needed in Corian forming though because it holds it shape after cooling. But the heat could be used for veneering. The vacuum does indeed draw the sheet down to the form and holds it there while it cools. It takes a while though, 300 degrees back to room temp is not a quick thing. It cools similar to wood drying, from the outside and edges. So the edges would try to curl up if you didn't have either an opposing form or the vacuum and cover sheet.