Vacuum forming is the simplest type of plastic thermoforming, that uses one mold and vacuum pressure to obtain the desired part geometry. It is ideal for parts that only need to be precisely formed on one side, such as contoured packaging for food or electronics.
What products use vacuum forming?
Typical industry examples besides product packaging include: fascias for outdoor kiosks and automated teller machines, enclosures for medical imaging and diagnostic equipment, engine covers in a truck cab or for construction equipment, and railcar interior trim and seat components.
Why is vacuum forming used for food packaging?
Manufacturing Sterile and Food-Grade Materials Manufacturers often use vacuum forming to produce food-grade containers and parts for the medical industry because it is compatible with plastics that can be sterilized or kept free of contaminants.
What kind of plastic can be vacuum formed?
Suitable materials for use in vacuum forming are conventionally thermoplastics. The most common and easiest to use thermoplastic is high impact polystyrene sheeting (HIPS). This is molded around a wood, structural foam or cast or machined aluminium mold, and can form to almost any shape.
How does the vacuum forming work?
The vacuum forming process works by heating a plastic sheet, forming it into a shaped vacuum forming tool using vacuum, cooling the plastic sheet until it sets hard & then removing the part from the tool. Read on for vacuum forming tool notes, design tips and a video of the process in action.
How does vacuum forming mold work?
Vacuum forming is the simplest type of plastic thermoforming, that uses one mold and vacuum pressure to obtain the desired part geometry. In pressure forming, a heated sheet of plastic is pressed (hence the name) between two molds instead of being pulled into place around a single mold using suction.
What can vacuum molding be used for?
Vacuum forming is a manufacturing method used to shape plastic materials. Vacuum forming is used for a wide range of manufacturing applications, ranging from small custom parts produced on desktop devices to large parts manufactured on automated industrial machinery.
Is vacuum molding cheaper than injection molding?
While the vacuum forming process is a little more elaborate, the tooling is cheaper, the time to production is faster and the aesthetics achieved are relatively the same. However, the per-piece production costs on vacuum formed parts are higher than injection molded parts.
Why is thermoforming used?
Thermoforming is a plastic molding technique that results in a variety of highly usable products. During this manufacturing process, thin plastic sheets are heated in order to make them easy to manipulate. Once a sheet reaches a pliable temperature, it is formed over a male or female mold.
Which material is used for thermoforming process?
PET or polyethylene terephthalate is one of the most common plastics used for thermoforming. It is used to produce bottles and synthetic fibers. During thermoforming, PET is molded into a product shape and later dried to maximize its resistance.
Where is thermoforming used?
Thin-gauge thermoforming is primarily the manufacture of disposable cups, containers, lids, trays, blisters, clamshells, and other products for the food, medical, and general retail industries.
What plastic do you use for vacuum forming?
Materials for Vacuum Forming Some of the most commonly used plastics include: Acrylic (PMMA) Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) Polycarbonate (PC)
What is the best clear plastic for vacuum forming?
PETG
Is HDPE good for vacuum forming?
HDPE can easily be shaped using conventional methods, such as heat bending, pressure forming, and vacuum forming. HDPE heats and cools very quickly, which creates very fast cycle times leading to reduced labor.