At
Sonolite Plastics Corporation, we manufacture various thermoplastics
in sheets to our customer’s exacting specifications. From working
with your engineers and product development people to designing your
custom mold to manufacturing and finishing, we will support and guide
your efforts. In many cases, our people offer solutions that can lead
to other manufacturing processes or budget-aware design changes.
What is Thermoforming?
Thermoforming uses thermoplastic sheets or rolls. At its most basic
level, the thermoplastic is heated and then, using molds, the plastic
is shaped to the customer’s specifications. Plastic components
needing wall thicknesses of less than 1.5 mm (0.060 inches) typically
are pressed in roll-fed machines while components needing tolerances
of more than 3 mm (0.120 inches) are primarily sheet-fed. The machines,
or presses, hold the hot plastic sheet to the mold with extreme
amounts of vacuum suction or downward pressure in the case of multiple-piece
molds.
Materials Use In Thermoforming Plastics
- ABS
- Acrylic
- Celluloid
- EVA
- EXS
- Liquid Crystal Polymer
- Polymide
- PET
- Polyester
- Polyethylene
- Polystyrene
- PVC
Thermoforming Plastic Process
The process of creating your thermoformed plastic components may
include the following:
- Idea Generation
- Process Analysis
- Computer-Aided Design
- Proto-typing
- Budget Development
- Inventory Warehousing
- Design Adjustments
- Error Modeling and Redesign
- Bending
- Cutting
- Sonic Welding
- Gluing/Solvent Bonding
- Drilling
- Milling
- Stamping
- Embossing
- Polishing
- Application of Decals
- Printing
- Quality Assurance
- Assembly
- Packaging
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