We are delighted to announce we are now an authorised Mayku reseller. Our partnership with Mayku comes as we continue our commitment to offering the best and most innovative products in our online store.
Mayku was founded in 2015 by Alex Smilansky and Benjamin Redford. The brand’s first product started out on Kickstarter, the crowdfunding platform. There, Alex and Benjamin pitched a project for a desktop vacuum former called the FormBox. 1,745 backers (including our Managing Director, Joanna Young) collectively pledged over $500,000 to make it a reality. The rest is history.
Mayku FormBox
The FormBox is unique. It’s a desktop vacuum former that uses any household vacuum cleaner to provide the suction. It works straight out of the box and is exceptionally easy to master. With it, you can replicate three-dimensional forms in a variety of materials and use virtually anything as a mould. It’s a complimentary technology to 3D printing, since you can use it to replicate intricate, detailed 3D printed models.
How does it work? You place your mould on the build plate, setup your thermoplastic sheet, pull it down over the mould and switch on the vacuum cleaner. This sucks the heated thermoplastic over the mould, creating a perfect replica.
The FormBox is a brilliant tool for hobbyists, businesses and education. Educational institutions are perhaps the biggest beneficiaries, particularly primary schools. The ability to make three-dimensional forms easily and safely in the classroom is a great curriculum activity and a real talking point with parents.
A variety of materials can be used to vacuum form. For forming, you can use PETG, HIPS, ABS, Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene and Acrylic PMMA. Use the right material, and forms become suitable for casting. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is a prime candidate. It’s non-stick, food safe, reusable and recyclable.
Mayku Cast Sheets and Mayku Form Sheets are OEM materials for the FormBox. They are pre-cut thermoplastic sheets 0.4mm thick. Cast Sheets are made from PETG, while Form Sheets are made from HIPS (high-impact polystyrene).
If you’ll be casting, you can use concrete, plaster of Paris, silicone, resin, foam, jesmonite, chocolate, jelly, cream cheese and much more. Anything that’s relatively cool and sets is a suitable material for casting. This makes the FormBox suitable for a wide range of applications, from craft projects to making delicious desserts.
Pricing and Availability
The Mayku Formbox is priced from £598.00 and is available to order now. You can also buy Mayku Cast Sheets and Mayku Form Sheets online with us.