Inline thermoforming
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The in-line thermoforming process is designed to take advantage of the
hot sheet coming off the extruder- The sheet is mechanically conveyed
directly from the extruder through the oven to maintain the sheet at a
forming temperature and then to the forming station. The forming step
must be synchronized with the extruder take-off speed. This type of
thermoforming is usually limited to sheet 0 125" or thinner and
applications that do not require critical thermoforming. i.e.. optimum
material distribution and close tolerances· This process Is more
difficult to control than other thermoforming processes· The major
disadvantage is that with the extruder and former being tied directly
together an upset In one causes a shutdown in both. The majority of
roll-fed machines or in-line machines are commonly used for the
production of thin-walled products such as cups, trays, lids. internal
packaging, and other finished products with a finished wall of 0.003 to
0.060+ in· in thickness. Because of the speed of these machines,
secondary operations are incorporated within the unit. These may consist
of printing, filling, sealing, die cutting, scrap cutting, or automated
removal and stacking of finished product. The normal roll-fed machines
consist of the roll station, upper and lower heating banks. form
Station, cooling station, and trim station. |
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