Plastic heat bender Northeastern Makerspaces Person bending a flat clear sheet of plastic

Plastic Forming

Plastic benders take take straight pieces of plastic and heat them up just enough for a user to bend them into different shapes. The plastic will cool into whatever shape it was bent into. Acrylic benders are typically used to bend flat sheets of acrylic plastic, and PVC benders are used to bend plastic piping.

Models at EXP

Electric PVC Heater and CALCA ABM Pro: Temperature is electronically programmed and the PVC heater can be used on pipes 1/2″ – 4″ in diameter.

Safety Considerations

  • Wear heat-protective gloves: Plastic is formed by heating it up until it’s malleable enough to be bent. You will be bending plastic by hand, so make sure you are wearing gloves that are thick enough to protect you from the heat held inside the plastic.
  • Use ventilation: Melted plastic gives off noxious fumes. Use these pieces of equipment only in the open makerspace under a soldering snorkel, not in one of the smaller rooms. Remember to open the ventilation before use.