Choosing a Keystone Vacuum Former: Pro-Form, Proline Air Vac and Machine III

The best Keystone vacuum former for most dental labs and practices is the Machine III, while the Pro-Form 1 suits budget-minded offices and the Proline Air Vac 2000 fits anyone who already has a lab or operatory air compressor. Chase Dental Supply carries all three Keystone Industries units, and this guide explains how to choose a vacuum former based on your appliances, space and workflow.

Key Takeaways

• The Keystone Machine III is the all-around choice for labs that form trays, guards, splints and ortho appliances every day.
• The Pro-Form 1 Single Chambered vacuum former is the economical entry point and still handles most thermoplastic appliances.
• The Proline Air Vac 2000 has no motor and uses your office or lab compressor, so it is compact and very quiet.
• All three use 5×5 resin sheets, have rust-free aluminum frames and symmetrical heating, and are made in the U.S.A.
• Pair any unit with a trimming tool and the right sheet material for clean, consistent results.

What Is a Dental Vacuum Former and Who Needs One?

A dental vacuum former is a thermoforming machine that heats a thermoplastic sheet and pulls it tightly over a stone model to create a custom appliance. Dental labs, orthodontic labs, general practices, dental schools and sports dentistry programs use them to make trays, guards, retainers and temporaries in house.

Owning a vacuum former shortens turnaround because simple appliances no longer leave the building. It also lets a practice offer custom bleaching trays and sports guards without sending every case to an outside lab.

Accuracy starts with the model. A dense, bubble-free cast gives the plastic a clean surface to adapt to, so it pays to review how to pour stronger, more accurate dental models before you invest in a new forming machine.

Which Keystone Vacuum Former Should I Choose?

Choose the Machine III if you need maximum forming power and versatility, the Pro-Form 1 if you want a reliable unit at the lowest entry cost, and the Proline Air Vac 2000 if you already run a compressor and want a quiet, compact footprint. Each one is built on the same rust-free aluminum frame and symmetrical heating design.

Keystone Machine III Vacuum Former

The Keystone Machine III Vacuum Former has been a staple of the Keystone line for years. Keystone describes it as having more power than any other dental vacuum former, which translates into more accurate and well-defined thermoplastic appliances.

It is used to process bleaching trays, sports mouthguards, implant stents, temporary splints, custom impression trays, denture bases, copings, temporary crowns and bridges, and orthodontic appliances. The machine weighs 22 lbs., uses 5×5 resin sheets and is available in 110V and 220V.

Keystone Pro-Form 1 Single Chambered Vacuum Former

The Keystone Pro-Form 1 Single Chambered Vacuum Former is Keystone’s economical answer for offices that want to form appliances in house without a large investment. It can still fabricate most thermoplastic appliances with excellent results.

Its all-aluminum construction eliminates rust, and the symmetrically engineered heating element spreads heat evenly. A hexagonal post keeps the frame from rotating or sliding during forming.

Keystone Proline Air Vac 2000

The Keystone Proline Air Vac 2000 is a pressure unit that uses the internal air compressor already in your laboratory or operatory. Because it has no motor, it is compact and very quiet.

Keystone notes that the vacuum pressure from an office compressor is usually greater than what smaller vacuum units generate, and greater pressure means better definition and adherence. The Air Vac 2000 can be used to layer appliances and accepts both 5×5 and round resin sheets.

Machine III vs Pro-Form 1 vs Proline Air Vac 2000: What’s the Difference?

The main differences are the power source and the range of work each unit is built for. The table below summarizes the specifications Keystone publishes for each model.

All three are offered in 110V and 220V, use a lightweight rust-free aluminum frame and symmetrical heating system, and are made in the U.S.A. Keystone lists a 5-year warranty on parts and labor for each.

What Can You Make with a Keystone Vacuum Former?

A Keystone vacuum former can produce nearly every thermoplastic appliance a lab or practice needs, as long as you choose the right sheet. The machine supplies the heat and pressure, while the material decides whether you end up with a bleaching tray, a mouthguard or a retainer.

• Sports mouthguards from Pro-Form Mouthguard Laminates, covered in our guide to custom mouthguards with Keystone laminates, EVA and Fun Guard materials.
• Night guards and bruxism splints from Keystone Pro-Form Niteguards, explained in night guards and splints with Keystone Pro-Form materials.
• Custom impression trays from Keystone Tray Material and clear retainers from Keystone Retainer Material, detailed in our Keystone tray, retainer and spacer sheet guide.
• Bleaching trays, temporary crowns and bridges, denture bases and implant stents.

How Do You Get Clean, Accurate Results from a Vacuum Former?

Consistent results come from a good model, even heating, a full sag before forming, and careful trimming and cooling. Follow Keystone’s instructions for use for each sheet material, since heat times vary by thickness and type.

Trim with a heated knife

The Pro-Form Electric Knife trims and cuts a wide range of thermoplastic dental materials. It has solid state circuitry, an interchangeable handpiece, two outlet stations so more than one person can work, all stainless steel construction and 10 amps of power for extra heat at the tip.

Chill the appliance to lock in the fit

Keystone Insta Cool is a 10 oz. can used to immediately chill dental appliances after forming. Keystone recommends it for better adaptation and faster production.

Shop the Products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Keystone Machine III and the Pro-Form 1?

Both are Keystone vacuum formers built with rust-free aluminum frames and symmetrical heating elements, and both use 5×5 resin sheets. The Machine III is the long-running workhorse that Keystone describes as its most powerful dental vacuum former, while the Pro-Form 1 Single Chambered unit is the economical option that still fabricates most thermoplastic appliances.

Does the Proline Air Vac 2000 need its own vacuum pump?

No. The Proline Air Vac 2000 is a pressure unit with no motor of its own, so it runs on the internal air compressor already in your lab or operatory. That makes it compact and very quiet, and Keystone notes that office compressor pressure is usually greater than what smaller vacuum units generate.

What appliances can I make with a Keystone vacuum former?

Keystone lists bleaching trays, sports mouthguards, implant stents, temporary splints, custom impression trays, denture bases, copings, temporary crowns and bridges, and orthodontic appliances for the Machine III. The right sheet material and thickness determine the appliance, so match the material to the case and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

Are Keystone vacuum formers available in 220V?

Yes. The Machine III, Pro-Form 1 and Proline Air Vac 2000 are each offered in 110 volt and 220 volt versions according to Keystone. The 220V models use an international plug, so confirm your voltage before ordering.

What warranty comes with a Keystone vacuum former?

Keystone lists a 5-year warranty on parts and labor for the Pro-Form 1 and the Proline Air Vac 2000, and a 5-year guarantee on parts and labor for the Machine III. All three are made in the U.S.A. Call Chase Dental Supply at 888-548-7582 if you have questions about a specific unit.

For a full overview of the lab and office brands we stock, visit our dental lab and office supply brands guide. When you are ready to choose, Chase Dental Supply carries the full Keystone Industries vacuum former line along with the sheet materials and trimming tools that go with it. You can also email our team at sales@chasedentalsupply.com.