Most of us don't really think about the many industries involved in the production of all of the items we purchase and use. The thermoforming industry is one with which you might not be familiar, but it is a crucial industry for many different types of companies, from retail to agricultural to medical and much more. Here are some facts about thermoforming and why it is needed.
A basic explanation of the process of thermoforming would begin with a plastic sheet. This sheet will be heated up to a level where it can be shaped into a mold. Once it is in the mold, the excess plastic is trimmed off carefully and then the plastic is cooled. Sometimes thin-gauge plastic sheets are used and sometimes thick-gauge plastic will used, depending on the type of product or packaging that is being produced.
Thin-gauge sheets come in a range of thicknesses from about 0.25 mm to 1.55 mm, depending on how strong packaging needs to be. When the plastic is about 0.5 mm in thickness, it is used for a variety of plastic items, often those that are disposable, such as plastic cups or perhaps packaging for pencils, batteries, glue sticks or a myriad of other commonly purchased items. This includes a variety of types of packaging styles, such as clamshell packaging and blister packaging. Slightly thicker plastics are used for items that are a bit more permanent and this would be medium-gauge thermoforming. This process is used with plastic sheets 1.5 mm to 3 mm in thickness and is less common than either thin or thick thermoforming.
On the other hand, the heavy gauge type of thermoforming is used from products that you would never just toss into a trash can. This includes your computer tower shell, printers, monitor exteriors and other electronic items. When you go to the doctor for any kind of medical tests, the outside of most of the machines are made using heavy gauge plastic. Some vehicle and airplane parts also are created using heavy gauge plastics. Just as with thin gauge thermoforming, heavy gauge thermoforming begins with a sheet of plastic. It is then either formed using heat or with vacuum forming.
As a general rule, most thermoforming businesses don't create both thick gauge and thin gauge products, they do one or the other. A few will do both, but this is much less common. Thermoforming companies, however, not only produce packaging or products, they also can design the package or item itself, which is a huge help to their clients.
In addition, when you think about plastics, you might be worried about the impact plastic has on the environment. Some thermoforming companies also are worried about these issues and have taken concrete steps to limit environmental problems. This means they use post-consumer materials, as well as using types of plastics that are biodegradable or recyclable.
A basic explanation of the process of thermoforming would begin with a plastic sheet. This sheet will be heated up to a level where it can be shaped into a mold. Once it is in the mold, the excess plastic is trimmed off carefully and then the plastic is cooled. Sometimes thin-gauge plastic sheets are used and sometimes thick-gauge plastic will used, depending on the type of product or packaging that is being produced.
Thin-gauge sheets come in a range of thicknesses from about 0.25 mm to 1.55 mm, depending on how strong packaging needs to be. When the plastic is about 0.5 mm in thickness, it is used for a variety of plastic items, often those that are disposable, such as plastic cups or perhaps packaging for pencils, batteries, glue sticks or a myriad of other commonly purchased items. This includes a variety of types of packaging styles, such as clamshell packaging and blister packaging. Slightly thicker plastics are used for items that are a bit more permanent and this would be medium-gauge thermoforming. This process is used with plastic sheets 1.5 mm to 3 mm in thickness and is less common than either thin or thick thermoforming.
On the other hand, the heavy gauge type of thermoforming is used from products that you would never just toss into a trash can. This includes your computer tower shell, printers, monitor exteriors and other electronic items. When you go to the doctor for any kind of medical tests, the outside of most of the machines are made using heavy gauge plastic. Some vehicle and airplane parts also are created using heavy gauge plastics. Just as with thin gauge thermoforming, heavy gauge thermoforming begins with a sheet of plastic. It is then either formed using heat or with vacuum forming.
As a general rule, most thermoforming businesses don't create both thick gauge and thin gauge products, they do one or the other. A few will do both, but this is much less common. Thermoforming companies, however, not only produce packaging or products, they also can design the package or item itself, which is a huge help to their clients.
In addition, when you think about plastics, you might be worried about the impact plastic has on the environment. Some thermoforming companies also are worried about these issues and have taken concrete steps to limit environmental problems. This means they use post-consumer materials, as well as using types of plastics that are biodegradable or recyclable.
About the Author:
Constance Keesler loves writing about how stuff is made. For further details about custom thermoforming or to find out more about industrial thermoform, please check out the Indepak website today.
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