Just about everything we buy, from batteries to cookies to aspirin, is in some sort of secure packaging and most are created out of plastics. While you might not have given this a second thought before, the creation of packaging is a huge industry and important to virtually all manufacturers. Thermoforming is the process by which many types of packaging are created, and here are some facts about it.
A basic explanation of the process of thermoforming would begin with a plastic sheet. This sheet will be heated up to a level where it can be shaped into a mold. Once it is in the mold, the excess plastic is trimmed off carefully and then the plastic is cooled. Sometimes thin-gauge plastic sheets are used and sometimes thick-gauge plastic will used, depending on the type of product or packaging that is being produced.
Thin-gauge sheets come in a range of thicknesses from about 0.25 mm to 1.55 mm, depending on how strong packaging needs to be. When the plastic is about 0.5 mm in thickness, it is used for a variety of plastic items, often those that are disposable, such as plastic cups or perhaps packaging for pencils, batteries, glue sticks or a myriad of other commonly purchased items. This includes a variety of types of packaging styles, such as clamshell packaging and blister packaging. Slightly thicker plastics are used for items that are a bit more permanent and this would be medium-gauge thermoforming. This process is used with plastic sheets 1.5 mm to 3 mm in thickness and is less common than either thin or thick thermoforming.
On the other hand, the heavy gauge type of thermoforming is used from products that you would never just toss into a trash can. This includes your computer tower shell, printers, monitor exteriors and other electronic items. When you go to the doctor for any kind of medical tests, the outside of most of the machines are made using heavy gauge plastic. Some vehicle and airplane parts also are created using heavy gauge plastics. Just as with thin gauge thermoforming, heavy gauge thermoforming begins with a sheet of plastic. It is then either formed using heat or with vacuum forming.
Some thermoforming companies produce only thin-gauge products while others will produce only thick-gauge products. A few companies will create both types for their various clients. Generally a thermoforming company can help you create the perfect design for your packaging or plastic product and then produce the item as well.
Many people are concerned with the sustainability of plastics, but many thermoforming companies are worried about environmental impact as well and have taken steps to make their plastics as sustainable as possible. This means that they create items using post-consumer materials and also use different levels of recyclable materials in production.
A basic explanation of the process of thermoforming would begin with a plastic sheet. This sheet will be heated up to a level where it can be shaped into a mold. Once it is in the mold, the excess plastic is trimmed off carefully and then the plastic is cooled. Sometimes thin-gauge plastic sheets are used and sometimes thick-gauge plastic will used, depending on the type of product or packaging that is being produced.
Thin-gauge sheets come in a range of thicknesses from about 0.25 mm to 1.55 mm, depending on how strong packaging needs to be. When the plastic is about 0.5 mm in thickness, it is used for a variety of plastic items, often those that are disposable, such as plastic cups or perhaps packaging for pencils, batteries, glue sticks or a myriad of other commonly purchased items. This includes a variety of types of packaging styles, such as clamshell packaging and blister packaging. Slightly thicker plastics are used for items that are a bit more permanent and this would be medium-gauge thermoforming. This process is used with plastic sheets 1.5 mm to 3 mm in thickness and is less common than either thin or thick thermoforming.
On the other hand, the heavy gauge type of thermoforming is used from products that you would never just toss into a trash can. This includes your computer tower shell, printers, monitor exteriors and other electronic items. When you go to the doctor for any kind of medical tests, the outside of most of the machines are made using heavy gauge plastic. Some vehicle and airplane parts also are created using heavy gauge plastics. Just as with thin gauge thermoforming, heavy gauge thermoforming begins with a sheet of plastic. It is then either formed using heat or with vacuum forming.
Some thermoforming companies produce only thin-gauge products while others will produce only thick-gauge products. A few companies will create both types for their various clients. Generally a thermoforming company can help you create the perfect design for your packaging or plastic product and then produce the item as well.
Many people are concerned with the sustainability of plastics, but many thermoforming companies are worried about environmental impact as well and have taken steps to make their plastics as sustainable as possible. This means that they create items using post-consumer materials and also use different levels of recyclable materials in production.
About the Author:
Constance Keesler loves blogging about how stuff is made. To get further details about custom thermoforming or to figure out more about industrial thermoform, please visit the Indepak.com website today.
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