Most of us don't really think about the many industries involved in the production of all of the items we purchase and use. The thermoforming industry is one with which you might not be familiar, but it is a crucial industry for many different types of companies, from retail to agricultural to medical and much more. Here are some facts about thermoforming and why it is needed.
In a nutshell, thermoforming is a process in which a sheet of plastic is heated to a specific temperature. At this temperature, the material becomes pliable and then can be placed in a mold and trimmed and cooled to be used for some type of product. There are two main types of thermoforming, and these are called thin-gauge thermoforming and thick-gauge thermoforming. Each type of thermoforming has its own purpose and importance.
If a sheet of plastic measures in at around 0.5 mm in thickness, this size falls into the category of thin gauge thermoforming. It is used for billions of products, from a package containing batteries to a plastic package that contains toys. There are many categories of thin-gauge thermoforming, including the creation of blister packaging, clamshell packages and a variety of different types of trays. Trays hold everything from medical products to cookies and often fit inside other packaging. Slightly thicker plastic, ranging from 1.5 mm up to 3 mm is called medium gauge, and while this is less common, it is used and these items typically aren't considered to be as disposable as your thin gauge items.
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.
In most cases, a thermoforming company will produce products and packaging that is either created through thin-gauge thermoforming or thick-gauge. Some companies will do both thick or thin, but this is a bit more uncommon. These companies not only produce plastic packaging of all types, but also design them as well. Keep in mind, thermoforming companies produce more than just packaging, they create all sorts of plastic products as well as thermoform foam products.
These days, many people worry about the environmental impact of using too much plastic. While there are government packaging requirements as far as sustainability is concerned, some thermoforming companies are committed to going beyond these requirements. You can find thermoforming companies that use recyclable materials or post-consumer grade materials in the creation of the packaging or products.
In a nutshell, thermoforming is a process in which a sheet of plastic is heated to a specific temperature. At this temperature, the material becomes pliable and then can be placed in a mold and trimmed and cooled to be used for some type of product. There are two main types of thermoforming, and these are called thin-gauge thermoforming and thick-gauge thermoforming. Each type of thermoforming has its own purpose and importance.
If a sheet of plastic measures in at around 0.5 mm in thickness, this size falls into the category of thin gauge thermoforming. It is used for billions of products, from a package containing batteries to a plastic package that contains toys. There are many categories of thin-gauge thermoforming, including the creation of blister packaging, clamshell packages and a variety of different types of trays. Trays hold everything from medical products to cookies and often fit inside other packaging. Slightly thicker plastic, ranging from 1.5 mm up to 3 mm is called medium gauge, and while this is less common, it is used and these items typically aren't considered to be as disposable as your thin gauge items.
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.
In most cases, a thermoforming company will produce products and packaging that is either created through thin-gauge thermoforming or thick-gauge. Some companies will do both thick or thin, but this is a bit more uncommon. These companies not only produce plastic packaging of all types, but also design them as well. Keep in mind, thermoforming companies produce more than just packaging, they create all sorts of plastic products as well as thermoform foam products.
These days, many people worry about the environmental impact of using too much plastic. While there are government packaging requirements as far as sustainability is concerned, some thermoforming companies are committed to going beyond these requirements. You can find thermoforming companies that use recyclable materials or post-consumer grade materials in the creation of the packaging or products.
About the Author:
Constance Keesler enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further information about custom thermoforming or to find out more about industrial thermoform, please check out the Indepak website now.
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