Thermoforming is a process that is key in the plastics industry, providing these materials with the desired shape. Understanding its principles is crucial for engineering and designers. This article discusses thermoforming stages, its impact on product properties and applications in different industries. Familiarizing with this process will allow to better harness its potential and develop innovative solutions.
Table of Contents
Types of thermoforming materials
Thermoforming employs a varied range of plastics, such as polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic polyester (PET). Each of the above comes with unique traits that determine selecting a raw material for a specific design. Polystyrene is lightweight and very workable, however, its resistance to high temperatures is limited. Whereas PVC exhibits greater durability and resistance to chemicals, which makes it popular in manufacturing of packaging and structural elements. Choosing the right material depends on the requirements in terms of strength, flexibility and resistance, which is crucial in obtaining the desired outcomes.
Material heating stage
Material heating is a key thermoforming stage, greatly impacting end-product quality. There are different methods of heating with thermoforming products, such as convection, radiant and contact-based. Selecting the right technique depends on a specific project. Monitoring temperature and heating duration is extremely important since a temperature that is too high may lead to raw material degradation, while preventing plasticity when it is too low. Precise heating parameter settings are essential for obtaining optimum results and high product quality.
Moulding techniques in thermoforming
Moulding is the last stage of the process. It can be implemented employing various methods and a wide range of machines offered by NOEX, a manufacturer of plastic products. Two popular techniques include vacuum and pressure moulding. Vacuum moulding involves sucking a material into a mould through a vacuum, thus allowing to achieve complex shapes, often used in packaging production. Pressure moulding, in turn, involves supplying gas inside the plastic, which enables obtaining uniform structures employed in the automotive or electronic industries. Understanding these methods leads to a process that is better tailored to specific manufacturing needs, thus translating to higher quality and efficiency.
Thermoforming is a complex process that combines various technical aspects. Understanding material types, heating methods and moulding techniques allows engineers and designers to effectively employ this technology.
