Such production techniques allow for the creation of an extremely diverse range of products, though most are limited to a relatively shallow depth. Bottles, containers, shrink-wrap, baggies, caps, toys, computer housing panels and more are common examples of plastic components vacuum formed. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Valk Industries, Inc.
Greeneville, TN | 423-638-1284Valk’s policy is “to meet or exceed our customer’s requirements, working together as a team with honesty and integrity.” Valk’s success is due to their long standing focus on quality & customer service— that means you’re not going to find a better place to satisfy your vacuum formed plastic needs. As a registered ISO 9001:2008 company, Valk is committed to continually improving.
Profile Plastics, Inc.
Lake Bluff, IL | 847-604-5100Since 1960, Profile Plastics Inc. has been at the forefront of thermoforming technology. Utilizing the latest software and technology, our expert staff of engineers can design custom vacuum, pressure, and twin-sheet thermoformed solutions. Over the last 50 years, we have developed a process that allows us to deliver consistent, high volume, and precise products with superior quality. Our highly aesthetic products are manufactured with great attention to detail. ISO 9001:2008 certified.
Conlet Plastics, Inc.
New Milford, CT | 860-354-0885For over 40 years, Conlet Plastics has been a leader in vacuum forming. They serve a wide variety of industries including medical, airline, automotive and signage, with high-quality products that are reasonably priced & delivered on time. They are fully equipped for prototypes or production of many kinds of blister packs. They also offer in house tooling capabilities.
Engineered Plastic Products, Inc.
Stirling, NJ | 800-304-3774EPP, Inc. is a manufacturer of thermoplastic materials. They provide a full range of services to meet any part requirement, including quality & affordable vacuum forming services, as well as post-forming operations, which are subject to quality control. Their commitment to customer service is why they have the recognition as an outstanding source for a wide range of formed & fabricated products.
Robinson Industries
Coleman, MI | 877-465-4055Robinson Industries offers thermoformed and injection molded reusable, heavy duty plastic pallets, packaging and more. We are one of the largest suppliers of reusable pallets to many industries because of our expertise based on 65 years in business, our completely in-house process and our high quality certifications including ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004. Join the Robinson Family today!
Packateers, Inc.
West Chester, PA | 610-436-4750When it comes to vacuum forming we are the experts! Come see the difference when you work with true professionals as we astound you with our amazing levels of customer service. We have made it one of our primary goals that we provide our customers with products that will withstand the test of time to provide a lifetime of value. For more information on how to get started with us visit our website today!
Vacuum Formed Plastics - Engineered Plastic Products, Inc.Vacuum forming is a relatively low-cost process that allows for the inexpensive production of durable three dimensional plastic components with a high strength to weight ratio. Such properties make these items popular in automotive, medical, cosmetic, food and beverage, electronics, sporting goods, household products, packaging, shipping, retail and telecommunications industries. Application specific properties are easily achieved as a number of different thermoplastics are easily implemented in plastic forming operations.
Vacuum Formed Plastics - Engineered Plastic Products, Inc.Examples include polyester (PET), used for packaging, high density polyethylene (HDPE), which makes bottles and bags, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used for food wrap, vegetable oil bottles and blister packaging. Polypropylene (PP) is also popular for food containers and caps, while high grades of polystyrene (PS) are best for products like disposable plastic silverware, CD cases and cartons. Other materials that may be used in plastic forming services include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylics, polycarbonate and Kydex, which is a PVC-based thermoplastic.
There are different methods of plastic forming, the most popular of which is vacuum forming. Vacuum forming, also called thermoforming, is one of the oldest plastic forming techniques. The process begins when a plastic sheet of uniform thickness is fed into an extruder. Here the material is heated in an electric, infrared or natural gas heater until it reaches the desired level of softness and pliability. While still hot the sheet is transferred to a forming station where two mating molds made of aluminum enclose the sheet in chamber.
A vacuum pump removes all the air from this molding environment, forcing the sheet of plastic to adhere with the mold. After the newly formed part has dried and cured, it is ejected from the mold and trimmed if necessary. Pressure forming and twin sheet thermoforming are slightly different techniques.
Pressure forming uses the vacuum environment and additional air pressure to increase the tightness of the sheet to the mold to create more detailed products. Twin sheet thermoforming takes 2 separate sheets of plastic, forms mirror images of each other, and then welds them together, forming a hollow product with a small seam running down the middle. The process chosen depends largely on the intended use and essential properties of the finished product.