FW: Heating thick plastic in oven ALL RESPONSES

FW: Heating thick plastic in oven ALL RESPONSES

Randy McFarland

4/24/2003

Original Question:
Hi List members-
  After first doing a search on ovens on OandP.com, I have this
question:
   With our convection Endolite and our Dri Clime infrared ovens, we
have to rotate our thicker plastics to assure even heating for an even
thickness pull. Is this necessary for all ovens, for instance, on
blister-forming 5/8 plastic? Thanks, Randy McFarland, CPO Sunny Hills
Orthopedic Services

RESPONSES- thanks to those who contributed- each is separated by a blank
line

We blister form about 300 pieces a month and we have to rotate all our
thicker plastics. We use a convection Grieve(sp) oven. Bob

There is a good chance that the plastic you are using is not pure. We
have had experiences with recycled or contaminated plastic that heats
unevenly. Try a different distributor and make them comp you a piece of
each type. Tell them you are shopping around and they are more than
willing to help. Believe me, good plastic translates into more uniform
pulls. As far as ovens are concerned, we use an old bakery convection
for our blister forming and don't rotate plastic at all.
   Hope this helps, Michael Pack, C.P.Artificial Limb Specialists
Phoenix

We have gas and infrared (PDQ) When we blister mold we have to rotate
the plastic with both types. When plastic is placed on a sheet for drape
molding we do not have to rotate.
Mike Martin C.O.

No it is not necassary to rotate plastic in all ovens. I have no problem
with my BT-2 PDQ oven even the 1/2 to 5/8 plastic heats evenly. I am
using a relatively new BT2 infrared oven. I have been using this type of
oven for 8 to 9 years now (though not the same specific oven) and have
had good results. The ovens elements are the key.... If they are not
functioning optimally then you do have to rotate. Sean


When pulling 1/2 polypro in a blister we flip twice.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O. A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics Jackson, MI,
www.amputee.com

 I use a Blodgett convection oven. Its intended use was for baking but
the more i researched things at the time, the more i found i was paying
through the nose if I purchased an O&P type oven. I use it mostly for
bubble forming 1/2 plastic and found by using a deflection shield I no
longer had to rotate the plastic. I formed a thin gauge piece of sheet
metal to route the air flow to the sides of the oven instead of directly
onto the heating plastic. Currently I'm using vivek and proflex
w/silicon. Luke Richards BOC OP

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