Vacuum Forming

Vacuum formed products such as sandwich boxes, toy cars, protective covers, automotive components play a big part in our day to day life.

Unlike other forming processes, where powder or resin are the starting point, vacuum forming uses extruded thermoplastic sheets made from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride etc. to form everyday products.

Process

Vacuum forming involves heating a thermoforming sheet until soft and then forcing it against the mould by applying vacuum in the range of 50-200 mbar. The part is cooled and then ejected from the mould. More sophisticated machines and moulds are used for continuous automated production of high-volume items like yoghurt pots, disposable cups and packaging trays. Once the moulding process is complete, the moulded sheets are trimmed and cut which are re-ground and recycled.

Vacuum Forming