Thermoforming

In thermoforming, plastic sheet is heated to a pliable temperature then shaped into a part by a male and female mold with the help of a vacuum. Categorized as thin-gauge or thick-gauge, the process is used to create products like clamshells, trays, and cups.

Making Gains in the Drain Game
Sheet Extrusion

Making Gains in the Drain Game

AWD blends extrusion and thermoforming technologies with plenty of home-brewed equipment and processes to keep water away from where it isn’t supposed to be.  

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ESSENTIAL READING

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Thermoforming

‘Back to Basics’ Fuels More Innovation at Thin-Gauge Former

Shift from private to capital ownership give Tray-Pak a boost.

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Thermoforming PLA: How to Do It Right

Polylactic acid (PLA) resins are made from 100% renewable resources such as corn, sugar beets, or sugarcane.

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Postprocessing

How to Thermoform Top-Quality IMD Inserts

Wider adoption of in-mold decorating (IMD) for demanding industries like automotive, appliances, and consumer electronics will require thermoformers to have the right know-how and equipment.

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TOMRA GAINnext PET Cleaner
Dover Clear
Guill - World Leader in Extrusion Tooling
Flow Meters display cooling water flow and temp
TD-Series Desiccant Dryers

Latest Thermoforming News And Updates

Packaging

Upgraded Former is Faster, More Precise

New features reportedly offer more efficient production of trays, containers, hinged boxes, pallets, blisters, lids and technical products.  

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Thermoforming

Winners Announced for SPE Thermoforming 2023 Parts Competition

More than 30 entries were considered, including 10 in the Sustainability category.  

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Thermoforming

Hagan Named SPE Thermoformer of the Year

Fifty year veteran of thermoforming industry to receive award during October’s conference.  

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Thermoforming

SPE Thermoforming Division Announces Biennial Parts Competition Call for Entries

This year’s parts competition includes two new categories with a focus in innovations in the use of sustainable thermoforming and in applications for electric vehicles and batteries.  

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Sheet Extrusion

OMV Technologies Gets New CEO

Kooper brings 33 years of experience in the industrial and consumer packaging industries to OMV--the closed-loop, turnkey, inline extrusion, thermoforming and tooling systems manufacturer.

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Thermoforming

Enhanced Digitization in Thermoforming

Illig’s Easy product family includes the newly developed Human Machine Interface, Illig Easy Touch.

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Masters of Blending
Shuttle Mold System
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Repair and Rectify
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Featured Posts

plant tour

US Merchants Makes its Mark in Injection Molding

In less than a decade in injection molding, US Merchants has acquired hundreds of machines spread across facilities in California, Texas, Virginia and Arizona, with even more growth coming.

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Thermoforming

Ingenuity Is Part of This Former’s Name, and in Its DNA

Plastic Ingenuity started in a garage in 1972 and through a commitment to developing best-in-class products stands today as one of the largest custom thermoformers in the world.

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Automation

Cobot Creates 'Cell Manufacturing Dream' for Thermoformer

Kal Plastics deploys Universal Robot trimming cobot for a fraction of the cost and lead time of a CNC machine, cuts trimming time nearly in half and reduces late shipments to under 1% — all while improving employee safety and growth opportunities.

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Thermoformer Maximizes Productivity with 3D Printing

Productive Plastics has created an extensive collection of 3D printed manufacturing aids that sharply reduce lead times.

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Thermoforming

Automation in Thermoforming on the Rise

Equipment suppliers’ latest innovations exemplify this trend driven by factors such as labor shortages, higher-speed thermoformers and tighter quality control.

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Everyday circularity
CM-17d
Conveying with Optimizer
New 2024 Twin Screw Report
biodegradable CFAs molding and extrusion

FAQ: Thermoforming

How to fix a thermoformer?

Some shot-to-shot misalignment may occur even if the above adjustments to the rail are made. When issues arise, especially today, when OEMs’ technicians can’t travel to service and maintain equipment in person, it can be helpful to have a checklist for troubleshooting.

Here are 10 of the most important steps for troubleshooting misalignment and other common issues in thermoforming.

Gardner Business Media, Inc.
Vector Extensometer
Shibaura Machine Industrial IoT machiNetCloud
Biodegradable chemical foaming agents extrusion
Flow Meters display cooling water flow and temp
New Tinius Olsen VectorExtensometer testing