Do you know what thermoforming is
exactly? Well, it is the great process of heating the thermoplastic sheet or
components to get the desired shape. The process involves clamping the
thermoplastic sheet into a holding device, heating through radiant heat, pressure,
vacuum and other such heat techniques.
The thermoplastics are widely used in many
applications such as bus, airplane, train, kiosks, POP displays, interior
design, construction works and much more. Once the thermoplastic sheet is
heated, it changed to the desired shape. If there is any excess material, it
will be trimmed to get the shape of the mold.
Later, the excess material can be mixed with fallow plastic
materials to get the right shape. The thermoforming method is widely used in
major applications from aircraft windscreens to plastic toys to cafeteria
trays. It uses disposable packaging that takes 0.060 inches sheets. This sheet
is used for shower enclosures, scratch card, automobiles, electronic equipment
and much more.
Thermoforming is the
technical process of a heating variety of chemicals such as cellulose Acetate,
Polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, High-Density Polyethylene,
Low-Density polyethylene, Acrylonitrile Butadiene-styrene. When it comes to
molding the thermoplastic sheet, there are several techniques available.
However, Custom thermoforming use pressure, vacuum and mechanical force techniques to mold
the sheet.
- Pressure Forming: A little pressure is applied to the thermoplastic sheet that makes it forced into the mold. Mostly, the pressure of 50psi to 100psi will be applicable. An additional force is exerted on the back side of the sheet to create textures, undercuts, sharp corners and finer details. Prototype machining technique is used to provide manifold, complex linkages, and high-end equipment parts.
- Vacuum forming: The thermoplastic method can be forced using Plastic vacuum formed components through vacuum forming method. Here, a slight vacuum is applied on the sheet at a certain temperature to get it mold. A vacuum pressure of 14 psi is applied on the front edge of the sheet to make the desired changes.
- Mechanical method: In the mechanical forming method, a thermoplastic sheet will be molded gradually. Generally, a core plug can be used to push the thermoplastic sheet into the mold cavity, where it is forced to get the desired changes. Depending upon the size, shape, and requirement of equipment, the thermoplastic sheet will be molded. This method is also applicable for some type of Prototype cnc machining including milling, turning, grinding, EDM and much more.
