Strip heater safety
What is the purpose of a strip heater?
Strip heaters are also known as Acrylic line Benders, it is a machine with a strip of wire that heats the acrylic to such a heat that it becomes malleable without warping or bubbling the acrylic as that can happen with other more rapid means of heating the acrylic. It heats the acrylic up so that it is easy to bend and shape how ever you like.
Strip heaters are also known as Acrylic line Benders, it is a machine with a strip of wire that heats the acrylic to such a heat that it becomes malleable without warping or bubbling the acrylic as that can happen with other more rapid means of heating the acrylic. It heats the acrylic up so that it is easy to bend and shape how ever you like.
wood fast
Sandwich
What is the main differences between a sandwich and a wood fast strip heater?
The main difference between a wood fast strip heater and a sandwich strip heater is that in a sandwich one the acrylic goes straight onto the heat source but on the wood fast strip heater the acrylic sits above it. The acrylic heats up much faster on the sandwich heater but it is much easier to burn it and to discolour it. The wood fast is a more convenient and easier one to use and safer.
The main difference between a wood fast strip heater and a sandwich strip heater is that in a sandwich one the acrylic goes straight onto the heat source but on the wood fast strip heater the acrylic sits above it. The acrylic heats up much faster on the sandwich heater but it is much easier to burn it and to discolour it. The wood fast is a more convenient and easier one to use and safer.
Key safety principles of using a Strip Heater:
Are you wearing approved safety glasses and face shield ?
Are you wearing protective steel-toed work boots ?
Are appropriate gloves available for use when handling hot materials ?
If you have long or loose hair, is it tied back and contained ?
Are you wearing apron clothing protect your clothing?
Have you removed all your exposed rings and jewellery ?
Are you wearing approved safety glasses and face shield ?
Are you wearing protective steel-toed work boots ?
Are appropriate gloves available for use when handling hot materials ?
If you have long or loose hair, is it tied back and contained ?
Are you wearing apron clothing protect your clothing?
Have you removed all your exposed rings and jewellery ?
Pre-operational safety check:
1. Is your work area suitable, allowing for the safe use of this Strip Heater without interfering with other students or activities ?
2. Is the floor in your work area clear of trip and slip hazards ?
3. Have you inspected the condition of the strip heater & cord i.e. damage to electrical lead or casing of the strip heater ?
4. Is the plastic material to be heated suitable for use with this strip heater eg. acrylic ?
5. Are all supports in place & in good working order ?
6. Has the opening of the heating element been adjusted to suit the thickness of material to be bent?
1. Is your work area suitable, allowing for the safe use of this Strip Heater without interfering with other students or activities ?
2. Is the floor in your work area clear of trip and slip hazards ?
3. Have you inspected the condition of the strip heater & cord i.e. damage to electrical lead or casing of the strip heater ?
4. Is the plastic material to be heated suitable for use with this strip heater eg. acrylic ?
5. Are all supports in place & in good working order ?
6. Has the opening of the heating element been adjusted to suit the thickness of material to be bent?
Step-by-step procedure
1. Turn on the strip heater
2. Collect all you safety equipment and check everything
3. Once its hot place the part of your acrylic you want heated over the gap
4. Leave it there for two-three minutes (if you bend down and put your eyes level with your acrylic you should see it bending slightly)
5. Pick your acrylic up, don’t touch the hot part, and bend it how you like (if its not hot enough it will snap)
6. Hold it in the shape you want for about two minutes so it doesn’t move
7. If you need to bend another part re-do steps 1-5
1. Turn on the strip heater
2. Collect all you safety equipment and check everything
3. Once its hot place the part of your acrylic you want heated over the gap
4. Leave it there for two-three minutes (if you bend down and put your eyes level with your acrylic you should see it bending slightly)
5. Pick your acrylic up, don’t touch the hot part, and bend it how you like (if its not hot enough it will snap)
6. Hold it in the shape you want for about two minutes so it doesn’t move
7. If you need to bend another part re-do steps 1-5