Thin Gauge Thermoforming

Tooling, Molds, and Materials

Thin gauge thermoforming is plastic manufacturing of disposable cups, containers, lids, trays, blisters, clamshells, and other products for the food, medical, and general retail industries.

THERMOFORMING CLIENTS: GIGI’S CUPCAKES | SCOTTS MIRACLE GRO | GOO GOO CLUSTERS

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Speed

We build our own thermoforming tools, thermoforming machines and extrude our own material, which means we can design and develop faster, fix production problems faster, and ensure you meet your deadlines.

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Customization

We provide a broad array of plastic manufacturing capabilities. Whether your part calls for design, post-production machining, finishing, tooling manufacture, assembly or thermoformed packaging, we can handle all your needs on-site. We’ll make all the components!

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Quality

Quality is the most important attribute of our vacuum forming company. We take great pride in delivering the best quality in the thermoforming industry. We are constantly striving to improve.

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Customer Experience

Once your product is delivered, we will be by your side until it is fully integrated with your manufacturing processes. If complications occur, we are available within 24 hours to get it right and have your systems up and running.

Thin Gauge Sencorp thermoforming machine

THIN GAUGE THERMOFORMING

Thin Gauge Thermoforming Custom Products and Molds

Global Thermoforming’s thin gauge thermoforming expertise has been applied across a variety of industries, including retail, medical and food.

Examples of the custom products we make are as follows:

  • Clamshell Packaging
  • Food Clamshell Packaging
  • Medical Clamshell Packaging
  • Retail Tri-Fold Packaging
  • Packaging Blisters
  • Point of Purchase Displays
  • Food Packaging
  • Retail Packaging
  • Pick and Place Trays
  • Drip Trays
  • Shipping Trays
  • Material Handling Trays and Covers
  • Packaging Inserts

FINISHED PRODUCT

Thin Gauge Thermoforming

THIN GAUGE THERMOFORMING

Goo Goo Clusters Plastic Insert

THIN GAUGE THERMOFORMING

Clear Plastic Clamshell

THIN GAUGE THERMOFORMING

Automotive Handling Tray

THIN GAUGE THERMOFORMING

Clear Plastic Blister Pack

Plastic Insert

THIN

Goo Goo Clusters Plastic Insert

Clam Shell

THIN

Clear Plastic Clamshell​

Automotive Handling Tray

THIN

Automotive Handling Tray

Blister Pack

THIN

Clear Plastic Blister Pack

Aluminum Mold for Thermoforming

BEST IN CLASS

High Quality, Consistent Thin Gauge Thermoforming Molds

Of the many elements that contribute to a successful thermoforming operation, perhaps the most important is mold design. Well-designed molds made of the correct materials will promote consistent quality in the finished parts.

Conversely, the wrong materials employed in poorly designed molds are likely to compromise the work of even the most experienced processor.

The thermoforming process makes use of many types of molds. In fact, the low cost of thermoforming molds and the short lead times required for tooling can give this method great competitive advantages over other processing options.

Generally, only one side of the mold is needed to form parts from a heated sheet or film. This can be a male mold or a female mold, depending on the shape of the finished part, how the part will look (aesthetics), and the specific forming process used. The deeper the part being formed, the more critical the choice between male and female molds.

For shallow, low-profile parts, the reduction in wall thickness is typically minimal. Mold selection thus depends more on part appearance. If intricate mold details must be duplicated, the side of the sheet that touches the mold should be the one that becomes visible.

WE OFFER A VARIETY OF TOOLING SOLUTIONS

Types of Thin Gauge Thermoforming Molds

Male vs Female Molds

A male mold is characterized by one or more raised elements (projections). The heated sheet is drawn over the projection(s) to form the part.

Male and female molds produce different wall thicknesses. Male molds typically produce parts formed with more thickness at the top. Parts formed using female molds show greater wall thickness around the edges.

Where deep draws are needed (up to 3:1 depth/diameter draw ratio), male molds are generally employed. A 3:1 depth/diameter ratio means that the thickness of an area of the part is just one-third of the original sheet thickness.

The depth/diameter draw ratio in female molds is typically limited to 2:1, unless the sheet is prestretched.

For irregularly or oddly shaped parts, the draw ratio is difficult to establish. Usually, it is calculated as the ratio of the maximum cavity depth to the minimum span across the edges of the unformed sheet.

Breakaways, Undercuts, and Inserts

Many thermoformed parts are produced with undercut sections. A popular method of forming a part with an undercut edge is to use a hinged undercut section.

Removable sections are often used. The operator removes the section from the formed part and returns it to the mold before the next part is formed. The undercut section can also be mechanically activated. When a slight undercut or reverse draft is necessary, stripper plates are often used. They are either spring loaded or mechanically operated.

When a design calls for an undercut to reinforce the part, an insert is often used. Inserts, which are typically made from metal, are positioned on the mold. During the forming process, the hot sheet wraps tightly around the insert.

Male and female molds produce different wall thicknesses. Male molds typically produce parts formed with more thickness at the top. Parts formed using female molds show greater wall thickness around the edges.

Where deep draws are needed (up to 3:1 depth/diameter draw ratio), male molds are generally employed. A 3:1 depth/diameter ratio means that the thickness of an area of the part is just one-third of the original sheet thickness.

The depth/diameter draw ratio in female molds is typically limited to 2:1, unless the sheet is prestretched.

For irregularly or oddly shaped parts, the draw ratio is difficult to establish. Usually, it is calculated as the ratio of the maximum cavity depth to the minimum span across the edges of the unformed sheet.

Matched Molds

A male mold is characterized by one or more raised elements (projections). The heated sheet is drawn over the projection(s) to form the part.

Male and female molds produce different wall thicknesses. Male molds typically produce parts formed with more thickness at the top. Parts formed using female molds show greater wall thickness around the edges.

Where deep draws are needed (up to 3:1 depth/diameter draw ratio), male molds are generally employed. A 3:1 depth/diameter ratio means that the thickness of an area of the part is just one-third of the original sheet thickness.

The depth/diameter draw ratio in female molds is typically limited to 2:1, unless the sheet is prestretched.

For irregularly or oddly shaped parts, the draw ratio is difficult to establish. Usually, it is calculated as the ratio of the maximum cavity depth to the minimum span across the edges of the unformed sheet.

Multiple Molds

Multiple molds form several parts in the same cycle.

A multiple-mold configuration generally has two decided advantages:
Greater output, and reduced trim scrap.

COMMONLY USED MATERIALS

In-House Mold Materials

Thermoforming uses relatively low temperatures and pressures. Because of this, a variety of materials can be used for making thermoforming molds. Molds can be made out of wood, plaster, plastic, aluminum, steel, sprayed metal, or layered metal. The choice of material depends on the number of production parts required and their quality.

Wood Mold Thermoforming

Wood Molds

Molds made of well-dried hardwood are often used for low-production parts. Wood has a low thermal conductivity, and it won’t “chill” the sheet as it makes first contact with the mold. Wood molds, which must be preheated, are most commonly used for small production runs and are not advised for fast, repetitive forming in large volumes because of the inadequate heat rejection.

3D mold thermoforming for Thermoforming client

3D Printed Molds

Mold making with 3D printers has come a long way! We use 3D printing for functional prototypes, complex designs, & production components. Being able to print prototypes out of the same material as the final production part is invaluable.

Plaster Mold Thermoforming

Epoxy / Polyurethane Prototype Molds

Epoxy and Polyurethane molds are used when speed, cost, and efficiency is of high importance. This is a much faster and relatively inexpensive way to create prototype molds in comparison to machined molds for production tooling. New epoxy products offer a much higher compression strength and heat resistance.

Sprayed Metal Molds inside of thermoforming machine

Aluminum Molds

For long production runs, cast or machined aluminum molds are usually chosen. They are prepared by casting or by layering and their surfaces can be textured or polished to a high gloss. Hard metallic coatings or applying polytetrafluoroethylene can improve the durability of the mold and the draping of the sheet. Coatings can also help maintain consistent sheet thickness. Aluminum conducts heat well. Heating and cooling are quickly done versus less conductive materials, allowing faster cycle time.

TYPES OF THERMOFORMING MACHINES

In-house Equipment and Machinery

In-house capabilities feature multiple of the following thermoforming machines.

Rotary Thermoforming Machine

MAAC | FORMS UP TO 4'X5' - 11'X7'

Rotary Thermoforming Machine

Rotary thermoforming equipment can introduce even greater productivity in forming operations by arranging three or four workstations around a central area. Rotary machines with five stations are sometimes used but are far less common than three- and four-station machines. Only one mold and one forming station are needed on a rotary machine.

In-line, Roll-fed Thermoforming Machine

SENCORP 2500 | SENCORP 2500 ULTRA

In-line, Roll-fed Thermoforming Machine

A continuous web of material is fed from a roll and then clamped into a chain conveyor. The web moves through a bank of heaters, gets formed, and is moved out. The part is trimmed during cooling.

5 Axis CNC Routers

THERMWOOD | CUTTING UP TO 10’ X 5’

5 Axis CNC Routers

Our Thermwood 5-axis CNC Routers are specifically developed for three-dimensional machining and holding tight tolerances. A computer numerical control (CNC) router is a computer-controlled machine that can hold much tighter and more consistent tolerances than held by hand routers.

Shuttle Thermoforming Machine

BROWN | SIZES RANGING FROM 1’X1’ - 11’X7’

Shuttle Thermoforming Machine

Here, the sheet is clamped into a moveable frame. The frame is located to the side of the stationary heaters. The sheet is then moved into the heater; when it reaches forming temperature, the sheet is moved back to the loading station and pressed into contact with the mold. The part is formed and cooled. The part is ejected after the mold is retracted.

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Global Thermoforming, Inc is a leading thermoforming company that provides quality thermoforming, vacuum forming, clamshell, clamshell packaging, thin gauge thermoforming, thick gauge thermoforming, and a variety of other services to the entire United States. We have local thermoforming facilities in Tempe, AZ and Nashville, TN. Contact us today for all of your thermoforming needs.

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Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Thermoforming

Product design flexibility, cost-effective production, and automation are just a few of this method’s many benefits. In fact, virtually any industry can see positive results with thermoforming’s versatile production capabilities and a wide variety of applications. Read on for more about the top 10 things you didn’t know about thermoforming.