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.