Overview of advanced technologies in thermoforming including forming, filling, and sealing processes, and practical applications in various industries
Advanced Thermoforming offers an overview of and new insights into thermoforming by comparing current and new standards for forming and mold technologies, presenting concepts from the practitioner’s perspective in a case-study format showing the possibilities of automated processes, reviewing the forming, filling, sealing processes, and applications of technical parts and packaging.
The reader is guided along the path of design and development for machine and mold technologies and production processes. Along with updated content, this revised Second Edition adds new coverage of sustainability in packaging, circular economy principles, mold technology, electromotive applications, and developments in new polymeric materials. The text opens thermoforming to new applications and demands on plastic parts by covering advances in thermoforming machines, molds, and automation.
Advanced Thermoforming covers topics such as: - Basics of thermoforming and thermoplastics, production of semifinished products, extrusion, and coextrusion - Introduction to both heavy and thin gauge thermoforming - New approaches for more sustainable rigid packaging through thermoforming - Fuel tank production on sheet machines, automotive body and commercial vehicle applications, and production of refrigerator liners - Sustainability and circular economy principles in thermoforming
Presenting an impressive variety of advanced thermoforming technologies in a very readable form, Advanced Thermoforming is an essential reference for polymer and plastics engineers as well asprocessors, technical engineers, R & D managers, new product development managers, automotive engineers, technicians, and equipment designers.
Table of Contents
Foreword xi
Preface to Second Edition xvii
Preface to First Edition xix
Introduction to Second Edition xxi
1. Introduction 1
2. Basics of Thermoforming and Thermoplastics 5
3. Production of Semifinished Products, Extrusion, and Coextrusion 12
4. Introduction to Technical Parts 28
5. Antenna Radome Manufacturing 29
6. Fuel Tank Production on Sheet Machines 33
7. Automotive Body and Commercial Vehicle Applications 41
8. Production of Refrigerator Liners 48
9. Paint Replacement in Automotive Applications 61
10. Motor Air Intake Made from PA 6 GF 15 70
11. Sanitary Equipment (Sheet Machine) 72
12. Thermoforming and Milling of Large-Scale Formed Parts (Sheet Machine) 76
13. Changeover of Sheet Machines 84
14. Chromed Parts 92
15. Applications in Aircraft and Mass Transportation 94
16. High-Quality and Fully Transparent Products (Sheet Machines) 103
17. Deco Molding and Multi-deco Molding 106
18. Smart Manufacturing 119
19. Automotive Body Parts Made of PA + ABS 125
20. Softfeel Made from ABS/TPU Material 127
21. Introduction to Packaging 130
22. Optimizing a Thermoforming Process for Packaging 131
23. Analysis of Thermoforming Films 143
24. Advanced Analysis of Thermoforming Films 150
25. Analysis of Thermoformed Products 157
26. Analysis of Completely Formed, Filled, and Sealed Containers 166
27. Automated Packaging 173
28. Production of Flowerpots 185
29. Perforated Fruit and Vegetable Trays Made Easy 203
30. Steel Rule Die Punching 207
31. Production of Meat Trays 210
32. Multilayer Films for Thermoforming Applications 218
33. PET in Thermoforming Applications 221
34. Thermoformed Packaging Made of PLA 237
35. Peel and Reseal 242
36. Foam Packaging with PP and PS 260
37. Blister Packaging of Syringes 267
38. The Production of Drinking Cups 274
39. Approaches for More Sustainable Rigid Packaging Through Thermoforming 297
40. Mold Making for Thermoforming in Packaging 301
41. Ultrasonic Sealing and Cutting in Thermoforming 308
42. Understanding the Brittle Behavior of Polystyrene Cups 314
43. Preprinted Film for Lid Thermoforming 329
44. Flexible Films 332
45. Simulation 337
46. Sustainability and Circular Economy 345
Glossary 395
Index 397
