Vacuum Forming, also know as thermoforming , enables complex plastic shapes to be cost-effectively and accuratley produced. It is ideal for a whole host of housing solutions such as boxes and enclosures or intricate detail within custom made component handling trays for example. The stages of the process are illustrated left. In operation, a plastic sheet is clamped in the vacumm forming press and pre-heated. A short blast of air is then directed underneath the sheet before it is subsequently drawn down under vacuum on to the mould. The simplicity of vacuum forming has major advantages including significantly lower cost tooling compared to injection moulding notably, complex shapes do not necessarily mean a more expensive and product. Vacuum forming is ideal for prototypes and inexspensively tooled prototypes can usually be produced within a few days, enabling your design team to quickly and efficiently evaluate the component and test materials. Any alterations or modifications are easily accomodated, ensuring the design is perfectly suited to your needs before comitting to final production tooling. The moulding process is extremely flexible and enables intricate features to be easily integrated that other wise would be difficult and thus expensive by alternative fabrication methods. once tooled, these features can be reproduced accuratley time after time after time. If you have a component that is cost sensitive and could be vacuum formed, call Perancea now. Wemay be able to break down the traditional mould.
