Thermo Forming

February 18th, 2008 · No Comments

Thermoforming is one of the oldest and most common methods of processing plastic materials. Thermoformed products are all around us and play a major part in our daily lives.Generally, the manufacturing process for thermoplastic sheet or film is actually Thermoforming. The reasonable alternative, where in uses of dies becomes cumbersome, inadequate, costly and time consuming. Thermoforming is a process that uses energy as a thermal source for permanently deforming an object without any hard tooling.

Materials Used in Thermoforming

The raw materials used in thermoforming are PVC rigid and flexible, polyester laminates, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and polyester compounds. Thermoformed products have better mechanical properties, chemical resistance, impact strength, gas and water barrier properties give higher shelf life.

Kinds of Thermoforming

There are various categories of thermoforming, including vacuum forming, pressure forming, twin-sheet forming, and thin and thick gauge thermoforming.

Vacuum Thermoforming:
Vacuum processing uses extruded plastic sheets and sophisticated machines are in use for continuous automated production of high volume items like yoghurt pots, disposable cups, and sandwich packs.

Vacuum thermoforming technology includes clamping, heating, pre-stretching, vacuum, plug- assisting, cooling, releasing, and finishing.

The vacuum thermoforming process utilizes sophisticated pneumatic, hydraulic and heat controls enabling higher production speeds and more vacuum formed applications.

Laser Thermoforming:

In general, laser thermal forming technique can also be applicable to treat or form a variety of materials, including metals, silicon, and ceramics.

The primary method and technology involved in heating sheet is the infrared radiation in laser thermoforming.

PP Thermoforming:

PP Thermoforming is a popular processing method that is internationally accepted for disposable and packaging materials.

The PP Thermoforming process includes extrusion and forming process that needs highly sophisticated machinery.

The process of making PP Thermoforming sheet works at a temperature of approximately 150 degree to 165 degrees, depending upon the type and grade of the material.

The Thermoforming machine should have precise and accurate heat control, suitably designed heat tunnel, two station gradual heating, pressure forming with plug & vacuum assist.

A rare combination of innovation and technology in latest trend setting is the automating thermoforming machines.

The other machineries and equipments include in thermoforming are pet blow machine, Extrusion machine, and Injection blow molding machine to mention a few.

Applications of Thermoforming
Applications of thermoforming techniques involve several sectors like dairy containers, drinking cups, plates, and trays. Many new areas are taking a bigger share of Thermoforming along with tea and coffee cups. Thermoformed flowerpots, microwave wares, and trays are few more innovative applications.