Vacuum forming is a popular thermoplastic molding process that involves heating a polymer sheet until it becomes malleable, then applying vacuum pressure to mold it over a custom mold.

How Vacuum Forming Works

To mold a vacuum-formed product, the plastic sheet is first mounted into a frame and heated until it becomes soft. Once the material is ready, it is positioned over a template, and a vacuum is applied to suction the material tightly over the mold, ensuring the required shape.

Once molded, the formed part is allowed to cool before cutting the excess plastic. The final product is then refined to remove unwanted material and prepared for use.

Industries Using Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming finds its applications in industries such as aerospace for creating lightweight plastic parts. Some typical products made using vacuum forming include:

• Automotive parts


• Clamshell containers


• Medical device casings


• Point-of-sale stands

 

Advantages of Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming is a fast method for producing reliable plastic parts with minimal initial investment. Other significant benefits include:

• Quick turnaround


• Affordable molds


• Flexibility in design


• Durability

 

Conclusion

Vacuum forming is a reliable process that enables the creation of custom plastic products at a budget-friendly rate.