How to use Custom Mode on the Mayku Multiplier

For a video breakdown of how to use Custom Mode, go ahead and watch this video:

Using Custom Mode, the Multiplier can learn any new type of thermoformable sheet in a matter of minutes. Hundreds of profiles can be saved directly to the machine for future use, making it simple to use materials from any supplier.

By using custom mode, you are able to create, save and edit the forming parameters of the Mayku Multiplier, setting the temperature, pressure, and cooling time yourself and then save them for future use.

Different materials have different melting points. We recommend contacting the material manufacturer or seller prior to using third party materials to confirm the melting temperature and material settings.

Once you have this information, you can go ahead and tweak the settings of your profile to match your needs.

• Keep a Custom Mode Log Book with profiles and settings
• Add a R to the name label in the custom menu for Reducer Plate settings to differentiate from other profiles
• Update to the latest firmware by connecting to wifi before using custom mode
• You can adjust/edit custom mode profiles at any time
• Re-calibrate / adjust the sheet leveling each time you edit material settings in custom mode
• Continuously press the up or down button during calibration to keep the sheet level. Proper calibration is crucial to prevent issues like uneven forms or challenges when shutting the machine
• After calibration, save the sheet profile. Providing you don't edit the settings, calibration won't be needed again for that profile.
   

The Multiplier also comes with Mayku profiles set as standard on the machine. These are available from resellers and our website. The current standard Mayku materials are:

• 1mm PETG
• 1mm HIPS
• 1.5mm EVA
• 3mm PMMA
• 3mm UHMW
• 4mm ABS

We recommend contacting the Manufacturer for 3rd Party Materials as different materials have unique forming temperatures and pressures. 

1. Temperature

Temperature is material specific, check TDS (Technical Data Sheet) for 3rd party materials temperature settings or contact the manufacturer.

Loss of detail towards the outside edges of a pressure formed mold is a byproduct of temperature. Increasing the temperature might help or add soak time in custom mode.

By increasing temperature you can achieve better detail although higher temperature makes the material more unstable and susceptible to webbing if calibration is not done perfectly.

Only increase the temperature by 5 degree increments at the time and re-calibrate the sheet each time you increase the temperature.

2. Pressure

Pressure depends on the thickness of the material and the template design.

Generally, thicker sheets demand higher pressure for effective forming. For instance, a 1 mm HIPS sheet may be optimal at 160 °C and 45 PSI, but a 3 mm HIPS sheet might need 160 °C and 60 PSI. It’s best to experiment with these settings based on your particular application and design.

3. Forming

Forming time is the duration the sheet is under pressure and is material and thickness specific, different materials have different heat capacities - check with the manufacturer.

4. Cooling

Cooling time is the duration the sheet cools after the pressure is released and is material and thickness specific.

Materials with higher heat capacities need a longer cooling cycle to avoid warping and deformation.

For example: UHMW holds heat longer and needs an extended cooling cycle to avoid warping and deformation. 

5. Heater Power

Heater power is material specific. The heater power is the power the heaters are set to, and for most materials this is at 100%.

Some materials prefer lower heater power as they can’t handle the excess temperature caused by max power.

Black ABS is an example, where the low thermal conductivity causes large temperature gradients from the top to the bottom of the sheet burning the top at 100% power.

Forming at the correct Heater Power can prevent sheet degradation causing the sheet to burst. 

As a general rule, thinner materials heat more evenly at 100% heater power while thicker materials take longer to heat through evenly to reach the correct thermoforming temperature.

6. Heater on pressure

Heater on pressure (increased heater delay), dictates when the heaters activate and is material and thickness specific.

You can modify materials such as HIPS that heat rapidly and stop your material reaching the right thermoforming temperature before the compressor tank is pressurized and ready to form and avoid excessive overheating and material deformation.

The thinner the material the faster it heats up - increased heater delay required. 

HIPS absorbs heat quicker than ABS and requires increased heater delay to avoid excessive overheating and material deformation.

1mm black HIPS absorbs heat quicker than 1mm white HIPS and requires increased heater delay to avoid excessive overheating and material deformation.

Yes, this can be done using the machine’s custom mode.

By using custom mode, you are able to create, save and edit the internal values of the Mayku Multiplier, setting the temperature, pressure, and cooling time yourself.

For a video breakdown of how to use Custom Mode, go ahead and watch this video:

Yes! You can dial back back pressure and lower the temperature in Custom Mode to reduce the detail on the form.

Sometimes less pressure makes it easier to remove templates from molds. By lowering the pressure and/or the temperature, the quality of the form might not be as good as if you are using the full pressure force or maximum temperature guidelines.

Customers can use third-party materials in Custom Mode without voiding the warranty. However, if the use of third-party materials causes damage to the product, the warranty will be invalidated. 

Mayku takes no responsibility for dangerous, hazardous, or incompatible materials that are used with the machine.

Users should thoroughly check the health and safety requirements of materials from third party suppliers. Mayku takes no responsibility for incompatible, hazardous or dangerous materials being used with the machine and custom mode.