Thermoforming plastic

Choose Thermoforming for Flexibility and Visually Appealing Aesthetics

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process that involves heating a plastic sheet until it becomes soft. This sheet is then draped over a mould, formed to a specific shape and trimmed to create usable products. Vacuum forming requires an additional process to make plastic conform to the mould during forming. Here are some benefits associated with thermoforming and vacuum forming.

Precision to design specifications

Vacuum thermoforming products are more precise when it comes to design specifications than any items which are simply created by a process of moulding together numerous parts. The products are made from one continuous sheet, allowing high accuracy of the design. This is especially important for parts which are designed to fit or support another object. Vacuum forming reduces the number of errors which may occur during the manufacturing process. As a result, this diminishes the probability of product recalls which, of course, has important cost implications.

Flexibility in design

By using moulds, vacuum thermoforming allows products to realise a company’s design aesthetics. It also meets many practical design requirements because the form can be freely modified as required during the production process. Additionally, you have the freedom to design precisely what you need. The flexibility of vacuum forming allows vacuum forming companies to produce products that can be used in various fields. These include:

• Indoor and outdoor advertising.
• Signage image products.
• Technical parts for equipment
• Exposition of goods and accessories.
• Decorative parts for cars and bicycles.
• Packaging inserts.
• Medical packaging.
• Pop displays and stands.

It offers a cost-effective way of production

Thermoforming vacuum forming companies can produce moulds from a variety of inexpensive materials such as polypropylene (PP), PMMA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS). The process uses low pressures and requires less intricate tools and materials, leading to low operating costs. The process also allows manufacturers to produce larger parts – up to 1000 by 2000 millimetres – from one continuous sheet of thermoforming plastic, which reduces quantity costs. For these reasons, thermoforming companies are able to offer more affordable products.

Thermoforming products are recyclable

Thermoforming plastic products have tolerance when it comes to repeated activation, meaning that you can reheat and reshape them several times. This characteristic makes thermoforming plastic products recyclable as you can later reuse them to make additional products.

Time-efficient

Vacuum forming allows for a swift production process: Less time is required from the design to the finished product. This liberates time to concentrate on more complex details and introduce products into the market faster. Some versions of vacuum thermoforming facilitate automated production, which helps to generate a larger quantity of items in less time.

Available in textured and paintable plastic

Coloured, paintable and textured plastics can be used in vacuum forming, allowing for a range of customisation to meet customers’ preferences and needs. There are multiple texture options available with a high level of detail and non-slip features. Vacuum forming can also help enhance product branding and design of your project through colour and gloss.

Produce durable products

Products produced through vacuum forming are strong, durable, don’t amplify noise and can withstand the effects of elements. Vacuum forming products are resistant to corrosion and do not experience galvanic effects like metal products. As such, vacuum forming products are suitable for storing all types of goods while providing protection to the contents inside.

For vacuum forming and thermoforming services, please contact MGM Baltic today. We offer strong, durable plastic products at competitive prices.