Plastic thermoforming equipment can be divided into the following main types according to its operation, feeding mode and structural characteristics. Each type of plastic thermoforming equipment has different process suitability and production efficiency:
I. Classification by operational method
Manual Thermoforming Machine
Features: All operations (e.g. clamping, heating, vacuuming, cooling and disassembly) are manual.
Applicable Scenarios: Small batch production, trial production or laboratory research; low equipment cost but low efficiency.
For example, a simple fixed thermoforming machine for simple products such as magnetic gate labels for automobiles.
Semi-automatic Thermoforming Machine
Features: Tightening and removal require manual operation, while the remaining steps,such as heating and molding, are performed automatically.
Applicable Scenarios: Medium batch production, balancing labor costs and automation needs.
For example: Shuttle-type thermoforming machines, using a clamping frame between heating area and forming area to move back and forth to improve heating control precision.
Fully Automatic Thermoforming Machine
Features: All processes (including feeding, heating, molding, removal) are fully automated and equipped with PLC control system.
Applicable Scenarios: Mass production, such as food packaging, disposable tableware, etc. For example: single rolled hot molding machine has the characteristics of continuous feed, automatic cutting, automatic stacking, and so on, efficiency is extremely high.
ii. By breeding method
Batch-Fed Thermoforming Machine
Features: Plates are filled in batches and heated in fixed areas. Suitable for thick walls or large scale products.
Structure: Normal three-stage rotary machine with clamping frames 120° apart, rotates to complete loading, unloading, heating and molding.
Usage: Suitable for large-scale products, such as refrigerator liners and trunk.
Continuous-Fed Thermoforming Machine
Features: Continuous feeding of plate or roll, moving of forming part to match feeding speed. Suitable for thin-walled, small products.
Structure: Multi-station rotary or chain conveyor, such as four rotary machines. The plate dries and rotates to the molding station.
Uses: High-volume products such as cups, plates, lunch boxes, etc. III. By Structural Characteristics
Single-Station Shuttle Thermoformer
Features: Clipboard moving back and forth between heating area and molding area, flexible heating control, suitable for small batch production of multiple products.
Strengths: Adjustable heating time and molding pressure for different materials (e.g. PVC, ABS, PE).
Example: A basic single-station shuttle is equipped with automated sheet loading assistance (such as suction cups) to improve efficiency.
Multi-Station Rotary Thermoformer
Features: The sheet material rotates between several working stations, simultaneously completes heating, molding and cooling, the production cycle is short.
Uses: High-efficiency, large-scale production, such as beverage cups, drug packaging.
Fixed Heater Thermoformer
Features: Heater fixed, plate vertical into molding. Simple in structure, but inefficient.
Limitations: Only for temporary production of simple products or insufficient equipment.
IV. INTRODUCTION By Forming Process
Vacuum Forming Machine
Principle: vacuum pump removes air between the plate and die, making the plate suitable for die cavity. Features: Low mold cost cost, but uneven product wall thickness (thin corners, top thickness).
For example: Vacuum-shaped female molds used to produce bowls or domes.
Air Pressure Forming Machine
How it works: Compressed air is introduced into the top of the plate and quickly installed into the mold to form a rapid molding.
Features: High glossiness of product surface, suitable for complex shape.
For example: plunger auxiliary pressure molding, combining vacuum and air pressure to optimize product wall thickness uniformity.
Overmolding Machine
How it works: The hydraulic system pushes the male mold into the plate, seals it and vacuums it out.
Features: The product has the thickest top wall and the thinnest side and bottom interface.
Uses: instrument housings, medical device and other Semi-shell products.
V. Classification
General-Purpose Thermoforming Machine
Features: Interchangeable molds adapts to a variety of products, suitable for small batch, high variety production.
Examples: manual or semi-automatic shuttle machines for test production or customization of products. Specialized Thermoforming Machine
Features: Designed for special products such as bathtub and refrigerator liners, with integrated extrusion and thermoforming production lines.
Strengths: Energy efficient, direct recycling of waste products, reduction of material waste.
