You can read all about thermoforming, and someone can tell you everything there is to know about the thermoforming process, but you can’t fully grasp the concept of this popular manufacturing technique until you have watched the actual process.
This video shows how a plastic part is thermoformed from start to finish and breaks down each step in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
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Step 1: Insert Plastic Sheeting into Clamping Frames
First, the plastic sheeting is placed into the clamping frames to secure the material and prepare it for heating.
Step 2: Heat the Plastic Sheeting
The plastic sheeting is then loaded into the thermoforming machine and heated at increasing temperatures.
Step 3: Push the Sheeting into the Mold
Once the sheet becomes malleable, it is pressed into or around the mold.
Step 4: Vacuum Form Sheeting to the Mold
The plastic is then vacuum-formed to take the shape of the mold.
Step 5: Allow Part to Cool and Harden
After the material is vacuum formed, it is removed and allowed time to cool and harden.
Step 6: Quality Control and Trimming
Next, the newly formed object is thoroughly inspected and trimmed.
Step 7: Refine the Edges
And lastly, the the part’s edges are smoothed and refined.
