Best Thermoforming Machine for Your Project

If you’re in the market for a thermoforming machine, you may be wondering which option is right for you. In this section of the guide, we will outline considerations that will ensure you get the best thermoforming machine for your business. These include questions to ask and the specifications or features to look for among other considerations. But first, why invest in a thermoformer?

Thermoforming Machine Advantages

Thermoforming plastic is a very versatile processing method that can be used on a number of different projects, and the thermoforming machine a useful piece of industrial equipment. The advantages of a thermoforming include the ability to make products with excellent finish, shape, and without parting lines.

A simple thermoforming machine is also a relatively low-cost device, which makes it a great option for startups looking to only create a few thermoformed products. Because thermoforming is a fast process that yields a lot of finished parts in a short amount of time, companies can benefit from using a thermoformer for their projects.

Another advantage of a thermoformer is that there are fewer control issues with the process when compared to others like injection molding. If the mold is properly calibrated, the finished parts will perfectly maintain the desired shape and size.

How to Find Best Thermoforming Machine

With such a large assortment of thermoforming machine design options available, start-ups and other companies may benefit from asking some key questions before making a final purchase.

• What do I intend to use the thermoforming machine for?
• What is my projected production output?
• What is my product going to look like?
• How easy is the thermoformer easy to use?
• What is my budget?

These questions are answered in the following 3 considerations: machine specifications, price, and sheet fed vs. roll fed machine choice.

Thermoforming Machine Specifications

Since many thermoformers are capable of producing a wide array of products, it’s important to understand exactly what you will need from your unit. For example, a company looking for a machine to produce large containers would require a different type of machine than one looking for lightweight packaging. The main thermoforming machine specifications to look out for include:

• Machine design
• Machine cycle time
• Product sizes
• Controls
• Usability

Thermoformer Design

When buying a thermoforming machine, design is an important consideration. Depending on where you plan to set up your new factory, it may be necessary to purchase a machine that is either modular or extremely portable. Consider the machine’s dimensions, too. Ensure that the type you pick will have enough space to accommodate it, especially if you intend to purchase more than one unit.

Thermoforming Cycle Time

The thermoforming cycle time refers to the amount of time it takes for a machine to produce one unit, and in some cases, this can be very important when evaluating different options. Establish exactly what your required production output will be. For example, if you are running a small output company, it would be unrealistic to purchase the same machine as a large company looking to make millions of containers per year.

Thermoformed Product Sizes

Along with determining the end use of your product, it’s important to consider the physical dimensions of your thermoformed products. Although a machine may be capable of producing a wide array of formats, it’s critical that you pick a unit that has been designed to produce your exact target sizes.

Once you have determined the physical dimensions of your end product, it’s time to start evaluating various technical specifications of potential thermoforming machinery. Of course, many of these variables will play a critical role in determining how feasible it is for your business to make an investment in this equipment.

For example, do you need multiple molds/cavities? What is the maximum size of plastics sheet that can be used? What are the dimensions of each cavity? These additional questions will help you find the best thermoforming machine based on your specific thermoforming or market needs.

Thermoformer Controls

What type of controls does the machine have? With the rapid development of new technologies in automation, many plastic thermoformers are now equipped with advanced controls that allow you to quickly and easily adjust various settings within the unit.

These features may not be critical for smaller businesses, but they can often prove to be very useful in large manufacturing environments. As a result, it’s important to make sure that your machine comes equipped with these advanced controls such as customizable PLC systems.

Usability of Thermoforming Machine

Make sure your workers can easily operate the new thermoforming machine in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Since many of these machines are extremely large, they require trained professionals in order to use them correctly.

In some cases, it may be necessary for thermoformer operators to receive specialized training from a professional before they are capable of running the equipment efficiently. Some thermoforming machine manufacturers provide training services to customers. This can reduce your costs greatly.

Thermoforming Machine Price

What is your budget? Set an initial budget for your purchase. This will help set constraints on both the type of machine you’re looking to buy, as well as how much time and effort you should put into researching various options.

The thermoforming machine cost varies based on the size and complexity and can range from a few to many thousand dollars. Based on your budget and business or thermoforming needs, choose a machine that meets the requirements of both.

Generally, large thermoformers will cost more but have more sections for the production line. Most high-cost machines also normally allow for integration with existing lines to ensure continuous production processes for your business.

Sheet Fed vs. Roll-Fed Thermoforming System

When it comes to selecting the best thermoforming machine for your business, you will generally need to choose between either a sheet-fed or roll-fed thermoforming machine. A lot will depend on your intended purpose or targeted product, of course. However, it’s important to understand what each machine is best suited for.

A sheet-fed system refers to a unit that is capable of producing thicker products. These are generally created on smaller, manual or semi-automatic machines. These types of thermoformers are best used for larger, rigid products or those that do not require high production volumes

A roll-fed unit, also called inline thermoforming machine when connected to an extruder, is mostly designed to use thin-gauge plastic. Inline thermoforming is often used in large volume manufacturing of disposable (or recyclable) products such as beverage cups.

Conclusion

When it comes to finding the best thermoforming machine for your project, there are many questions that you need to ask about the options that you’re considering. As a result, it’s important that you understand how these machines operate and determine what benefits they can provide for your specific business environment. Keeping the mentioned factors in mind will allow you to make an informed and efficient purchasing decision.