Introducing Custom Mode:
How does Custom Mode work?
Watch this video for a detailed breakdown on using Custom Mode:
Custom mode enables you to use third-party materials
With Custom Mode, hundreds of material profiles can be created, edited and saved directly to the Multiplier for future use, making it simple to use materials from any supplier.
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 customize the settings of your profile to match your needs.
Users should 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 in custom mode
Custom Mode top tips
- Update to the latest firmware by connecting to Wi-Fi before using Custom Mode
- Contact the manufacturer for information on third-party materials as different materials have unique forming temperatures and pressures
- Recalibrate/adjust the sheet levelling each time you edit material settings in Custom Mode. Continuously press the "up" or "down" buttons 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. Provided you don't edit the settings, calibration won't be needed again for that profile
- Add an "R" to the profile name for settings created using the Reducer Plate to differentiate from other profiles
- Keep a Custom Mode log book with profiles and settings
Temperature, Pressure, Forming, Cooling, and Heater Power Manipulation
1. Temperature
- Loss of detail towards the outside edges of a pressure formed mold is a by-product 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.
- Temperature is material specific, check TDS (Technical Data Sheet) for third-party materials temperature settings or contact the manufacturer
2. Pressure
- Pressure required depends on the thickness of the material and the tool design.
- Generally, thicker sheets demand higher pressure for effective forming. For instance, a 1 mm HIPS sheet may be optimal at 160°C and 45PSI, but a 3mm HIPS sheet might need 160°C and 60PSI. It’s best to experiment with these settings based on your particular application and design.
3. Forming time
- 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 for details.
4. Cooling time
- Cooling time is material and thickness specific.
- Cooling time refers to the time it takes for the sheet to cool after pressure is released.
- 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 imbalances from the top to the bottom of the sheet. Using 100% power would result in burning on the top side of the sheet.
- Forming at the correct Heater Power can prevent sheet degradation which causes 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.
6. Heater on pressure
- "Heater on pressure" is material and thickness specific.
- "Heater on pressure" dictates when the heaters activate in relation to the air compressing.
- The thinner the material the faster it heats up - this is where increased heater delay is required.
- You can adjust rapidly-heating materials like HIPS to ensure they reach the proper thermoforming temperature after the compressor tank is pressurized and ready for forming, avoiding excessive overheating and material distortion.