Using the Mayku Multiplier

Before diving into any thermoforming project, it's important to understand the principles that govern effective template design. Our guide on key design principles of thermoforming provides you with the knowledge to design templates from scratch or modify existing 3D designs to suit your needs.

How to design for thermoforming

The quality of your thermoforming process depends on a suitable, well-designed template. Discover the best methods to manufacture thermoforming templates and achieve optimal results by following our guide to technologies and materials you can use to fabricate templates for the Mayku Multiplier.

Technologies and materials to use for thermoforming templates

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the process of creating a 3D object from a digital model. It’s done layer by layer – hence “additive” – typically with a material such as plastic, resin, or powder. There are several different 3D printing technologies to choose from.

Fused deposition modeling/Fused filament fabrication is a method of 3D printing that uses a continuous filament of thermoplastic material to produce 3D objects. The process involves melting and extruding the material layer by layer, building the object from the bottom up. It’s an affordable, clean, and fast method which can create a usable thermoforming template in a matter of hours.

Learn more how to create thermoforming templates with filament printing

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, or resin 3D printing, is an additive manufacturing technology in which a light source – typically a laser or projection – cures liquid resin into hardened plastic. SLA parts feature high resolution and outstanding surface finishes, especially when compared to other 3D printing technologies. SLA 3D printing is also compatible with a wide variety of materials, meaning an equally broad range of applications can be created with it.

Learn more how to create thermoforming templates with resin 3d printing

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a 3D printing technology that uses a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of plastic powder together. Unlike other 3D printing technologies, SLS does not require any support structures, as the powder acts as its own support. 

Nylon is a commonly used material for SLS 3D printing. This material offers excellent mechanical properties and temperature resistance, which are properties that are ideal for thermoforming templates.

Thermoforming templates often need airflow holes integrated into the design, as air pockets can cause the plastic sheet to bubble and deform during the thermoforming process. One of the main advantages of SLS 3D printing for thermoforming is that the resulting parts are porous. This means that there’s no need to add air holes to the template (or that the required amount may be significantly lower compared to other fabrication methods).

Learn more how to create thermoforming templates with SLS 3d printing