Introduction to Vacuum Forming

What Is Vacuum Forming?

Vacuum forming is a manufacturing method used to shape plastic materials. During the LED Advertising Light Vacuum Forming process, a sheet of plastic is heated and then pulled around a single mold using suction.

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a sheet of plastic is heated to become pliable, then shaped or contoured using a mold, and trimmed to create a final part or product. Vacuum forming and pressure forming are both different types of thermoforming processes. The main difference between pressure forming and vacuum forming is the number of molds that are used.

Plastic Trays Vacuum Forming is the simplest type of plastic thermoforming, that uses one mold and vacuum pressure to obtain the desired part geometry. It is ideal for parts that only need to be precisely formed on one side, such as contoured packaging for food or electronics.

How Does Vacuum Forming Work?

The step-by-step Automotive Plastic Parts Vacuum Forming process works as follows:

Affordability

Particularly for smaller production runs (250-300 units per year), Thermoforming Products are typically more affordable than other manufacturing methods, such as plastic injection molding. The affordability of vacuum forming is largely due to the lower cost for tooling and prototyping. Depending on the surface area of the parts being manufactured and the dimensions of the clamp frame, tooling for injection molding can cost two to three times more than the amount for tooling for plastic thermoforming or vacuum forming.

Industrial

Manufacturers also use Thermoforming Machine and Equipment Shell to produce many industrial crates and contoured containers for machinery. Vacuum forming is a great manufacturing process for parts primarily used outside or ones that may come in contact with a heat source because industrial manufacturers can use a variety of flame-retardant and UV-resistant materials. For example, fire-retardant UL 94 V-0 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and UV filtering acrylic (PMMA) can both be vacuum formed.

Medical

Medical Equipment Vacuum Forming Cases and components that need to be antimicrobial or have resistance to contaminants are often manufactured through vacuum forming. This includes medical packaging, the pharmaceutical trays pills are packaged in, components of hospital beds, and MRI and CT machine exterior pieces.