Thermoformálás

Thermoformálás, also known as heat forming, is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, stretched onto or into a mold, and bonded with the mold in order to create a product. The plastic is then cooled to a finished product that has the shape of the mold.

The process typically begins with a sheet of thermoplastic material. This sheet is fed into a thermoforming machine, where it is heated evenly by radiant heaters. Once the plastic reaches its specific forming temperature, it becomes soft and pliable. At this point, the sheet is moved over a mold. The mold can be either male or female. In a vacuum forming process, a vacuum is applied to draw the plastic sheet tightly against the mold surface, forcing it to conform to the mold's shape. Pressure forming uses compressed air to push the plastic into the mold. In plug-assist forming, a mechanical plug is used to help stretch the material evenly into the mold cavity.

After the plastic has cooled and solidified in the mold, the excess material is trimmed away. The resulting part is then ejected from the mold. Thermoforming is a versatile process used to create a wide variety of products, including packaging (like blister packs and food trays), automotive parts, consumer goods, and medical devices. It is generally cost-effective for producing parts in moderate to high volumes, especially for items with relatively thin walls. Common materials used in thermoforming include PET, PVC, HIPS, and ABS.