What is Thermoforming?
Thermoforming is the process of vacuuming a heated plastic sheet or film around a mold to create a custom 3-dimensional shape. The resulting plastic shape can be used in many industries for a number of different purposes but mostly for packaging or storage.
The Design and Development Process
Developing a custom thermoformed packaging product relies on a careful process that takes a concept “from art to part.” Designers use CAD/CAM software to create a three-dimensional electronic drawing. These precise designs help customers to collaborate with designers on the packaging that will suit their needs perfectly. From this design, a model is produced, and vacuum formed shapes are made with it for the customer to review and approve. Once the model is approved an aluminum tool can be made using CNC machines and other precision instruments. The completed tool parts are then set up on a production thermoformer for manufacturing your custom thermoformed packaging.
The Benefits of Thermoformed Packaging
Thermoformed packaging helps to protect products with minimal material. Packages can be shipped more securely and without excess weight. Thermoformed plastic can help protect delicate electronic parts from rubbing and bumping against one another and being damaged by scratches, moisture, fractures and breaks. Products and equipment used for medical purposes can be packed in sterile packaging. The custom tools and thermoformer can manufacture a high quality, end product out of a variety of plastic and film materials including eco-friendly materials and recycled plastics to meet new standards of sustainability.