Thermoforming 2024
Thermoforming and injection molding are the
two of the most attractive manufacturing process in 2024 to create plastic parts.
Thermoforming is commonly used for large items and shorter production runs
ranging from 250 to 350 units per year. Injection molding is suitable for small
items and mass production runs.
Thermoforming is a single-sided plastic
fabrication process that forms the heated plastic sheet to the surface of male
or female mold. During this process, just one side the plastic sheet is controlled
by the mold. The most two popular thermoforming types are vacuum forming and
pressure forming. Vacuum forming uses heat and pressure to make plastic sheets
into final configuration. When the plastic sheet is placed over the mold, the
vacuum manipulate plastic sheet into need shapes. Pressure forming is similar
to vacuum forming. It has benefit of extra pressure. Great details and texture
can be achieved by this pressure. If aesthetics is the problem, it is a solid
choice.
Compared to injection molding, Thermoforming offer lower tooling cost. Product’s development and prototyping
process is faster than injection molding. It allows bright color and texture
options, as well as extreme adapt-ability and simple adjustments.
Thermoforming mold is usually made of
cheaper aluminum. Injection molds are made of steel, thick aluminum or strong
alloys to maintain large production runs. Thermoforming is using a single-singe
tool and injection molding is using a double-sided mold. The initial cost for
thermoforming is lower than injection molding. But thermoforming mold is not as
durable as injection molds so it can be used only for small volume and not
repeat production.
When in product development and prototypes
test stages, thermoforming is quicker than injection molding. Thermoforming
mold are much easier to be design, built, moldify. It is an ideal choice for
development and testing.
As thermoforming has low cost, versatility
and adaptability property, it is suitable for a vast range of applications like
bumpers, seat components, interior panels, galley equipment, tool cases,
furniture components, dashboards, light fixtures, printer, computer and more.
Thermoforming has several disadvantages.
Thermoforming process is limited to parts with thin wall and complex shapes.
And each piece needs trim which cost time to the process. Expect for this
disadvantage, thermoforming provides a flexible and cost effective method for
creating a huge variety of products.
Thermoforming and its related products play an important role in everyday lift. If you want to learn about how thermoforming benefits life and society. Want to know more? Contact our team of experts at TEAM Rapid.
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