Mechanical thermoforming
From Plastics Wiki, free encyclopedia
Mechanical Thermoforming - The process involves shaping a preheated thermoplastic sheet by means of a direct mechanical force. In the pure mechanical forming method, air pressure (positive or negative) is not used at all.
Advantages
Its advantages are better dimensional control and the opportunity for surface detailing on both sides of the part.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is that two mold halves are required; the molds for the other two methods are therefore less costly.
Process: Vacuum forming, Plug assist forming, Vacuum snapback, Billow forming, Free forming, Pressure forming, Drape forming, Stretch forming, Matched die forming, Inline thermoforming, Twin sheet forming, Mechanical thermoforming
Equipment: Thermoforming machine, Thermoforming mold
See also: Injection molding • Blow molding • Plastic welding • Plastic extrusion • Rotational molding
