Muovityhjiömuovaus

Muovityhjiömuovaus, also known as vacuum forming or thermoforming, is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, stretched or drawn into or over a mold, and held in place until the article is cooled. The process utilizes vacuum to draw the plastic sheet tightly against the mold surface, ensuring accurate replication of the mold's details.

The typical steps involved include heating a sheet of plastic to its softening point. Once heated, the sheet is positioned over a mold, which can be a male or female type. A vacuum is then applied, typically through small holes in the mold, to remove air from between the plastic sheet and the mold surface. This differential pressure pulls the softened plastic sheet into intimate contact with the mold, forming the desired shape. After cooling and solidifying, the formed part is ejected from the mold.

This method is versatile and cost-effective for producing a wide range of plastic products, from simple packaging and containers to complex automotive interior components and large industrial housings. The materials commonly used include thermoplastics such as polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The simplicity of the tooling and the relatively low cost of machinery make vacuum forming an attractive option for both prototyping and mass production.