As explained by Mechanical Engineering Blog in their article, “All About Pressure Thermoforming,” pressure forming is an advanced thermoforming process that delivers injection-mold-quality plastic components at a fraction of the cost. By applying positive air pressure, ranging from 20 to 150 psi, heated plastic sheets are pressed into molds with vent holes, allowing for the production of highly defined plastic parts with sharp contours and intricate details.
Pressure thermoforming offers several advantages over traditional thermoforming, especially in small and medium-sized production runs. The process is cost-effective, particularly for lower-quantity precision jobs, as it uses less expensive aluminum molds. This method can produce aesthetically detailed parts such as ribs, louvers, logos, and recessed areas, making it a popular choice for industries requiring components like food trays, electronics housings, biomedical instruments, and business machine parts.
One of the key benefits of pressure forming is its ability to handle a range of plastic gauges between .020″ and .500″. Compared to injection molding, pressure forming offers up to 90% savings on tooling costs and reduces lead time by about 25%, making it a practical solution for many industries.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of mechanicalengineeringblog.com
