Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machine: revealing the cooling and shaping process of plastic products

1. Working principle of thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machine
Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machine is a device that uses the plasticity of thermoplastics after heating and softening to form them into the desired shape by vacuum adsorption. Its working principle mainly includes four steps: heating, molding, cooling and demolding.
Heating: In this stage, the thermoplastic plastic sheet is fed into the heating zone. The heating zone usually consists of a heating plate or a heating tunnel, and the sheet is heated by an electric heating wire or a heating element. The heating temperature and time need to be precisely controlled according to the type and thickness of the plastic and the required molding temperature. The purpose of heating is to make the plastic sheet reach the softening point so that it can be easily stretched and adsorbed in the subsequent molding process.
Molding: When the plastic sheet reaches the softening point, it will be fed into the molding zone. Here, the vacuum pump under the mold starts to work, extracting the air between the mold and the sheet to form a vacuum state. Under the action of the vacuum, the softened sheet will fit tightly on the mold surface and be molded according to the shape of the mold. In this process, the precision and surface finish of the mold are crucial, which directly affect the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the plastic products after molding.
Cooling and shaping: After molding, the plastic products need to be cooled and shaped in the mold. This process is a key link in the thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machine process. There are two purposes of cooling: one is to shape the plastic products in the mold and keep their shape stable; the other is to enhance the structural strength of the plastic products through cooling to make them more durable. Cooling can be achieved by natural cooling or forced cooling. Natural cooling means that the plastic products are allowed to dissipate heat naturally in the mold and gradually cool to room temperature. Forced cooling is to accelerate the cooling speed of the plastic products by spraying cooling water or cold air on the mold or the surrounding environment. Regardless of the cooling method used, it is necessary to ensure that the cooling process is uniform and sufficient to avoid quality problems such as deformation and cracking of the plastic products.
Demolding: When the plastic product is completely cooled and solidified, it can be demolded from the mold. Demolding is the last step in the thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machine process. During the demolding process, it is necessary to ensure that the separation between the plastic product and the mold is smooth and damage-free. This usually requires the use of professional demoulding tools or equipment, such as demoulding hooks, demoulding ejectors, etc. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to controlling the speed and strength of demoulding to avoid unnecessary damage to plastic products.
2. The importance of cooling and shaping process
Cooling and shaping processes play a vital role in thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines. They directly affect the quality, performance and service life of plastic products.
Ensure dimensional accuracy: During the cooling process, plastic products are gradually shaped in the mold. The precision and shape of the mold determine the dimensional accuracy of the plastic product. Through a reasonable cooling process, it can be ensured that the plastic product maintains the same shape and size as the mold during the cooling process, thereby improving its dimensional accuracy.
Enhance structural strength: During the cooling process, the molecular chains inside the plastic product gradually solidify to form a stable structure. In this process, the structural strength of the plastic product is enhanced. Through a reasonable cooling process, it can be ensured that the plastic product is fully solidified during the cooling process, thereby improving its structural strength and durability.
Avoid quality problems: During the cooling process, if the cooling speed is too fast or uneven, it may cause quality problems such as deformation and cracking of plastic products. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the cooling speed and method to ensure the stable and reliable quality of plastic products.
3. Application fields of thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines
Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines have been widely used in many fields with their efficient, precise and flexible molding process.
Automotive industry: In the automotive industry, thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines are used to produce various interior parts, dashboards, door panels and other parts. These parts not only need to have precise size and shape, but also need to have good structural strength and durability. Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines can meet these requirements and provide strong support for the automotive manufacturing industry.
Electronic industry: In the electronics industry, thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines are used to produce various electronic product housings, display frames and other parts. These parts need to have good appearance quality and structural strength to ensure the stability and durability of electronic products. Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines can easily achieve these requirements and contribute to the development of the electronics manufacturing industry.
Medical industry: In the medical industry, thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines are used to produce various medical device housings, surgical instruments and other parts. These parts need to have good biocompatibility and corrosion resistance to ensure the safety and reliability of medical processes. Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines can meet these special requirements and provide a reliable solution for the medical manufacturing industry.
Other fields: In addition to the above fields, thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines are also widely used in toys, daily necessities, packaging materials and other fields. These fields have different requirements for the shape, size, quality and other aspects of plastic products. Thick sheet vacuum thermoforming machines can flexibly respond to these requirements and provide high-quality plastic product solutions for all walks of life.