Vacuum forming is a popular thermoplastic molding technique that involves heating a thermoplastic sheet until it becomes malleable, then using vacuum pressure to mold it over a pre-designed mold.

Step-by-Step Vacuum Forming Process

To mold a vacuum-formed product, the plastic sheet is first mounted into a frame and heated until it becomes flexible. Once the material is ready, it is positioned over a mold, and a vacuum is applied to draw the material tightly over the mold, achieving the desired shape.

Once molded, the formed part is set aside to cool before refining the excess plastic. The final product is then trimmed to remove unwanted material and finished for use.

Industries Using Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming finds its applications in industries such as automotive for creating customized plastic parts. Some typical products made using vacuum forming include:

• Automotive parts


• Blister packs


• Medical device casings


• Retail displays

 

Advantages of Vacuum Forming

One of the biggest pros of vacuum forming is its cost-effectiveness. Other key benefits include:

• Rapid production


• Economical setup


• Flexibility in design


• Durability

 

Summary

Vacuum forming is a reliable process that facilitates the creation of high-quality plastic products at a budget-friendly rate.