One of the most common plastic fabrication methods, vacuum forming is used to manufacture numerous products by using heat and vacuum suction to shape thermoplastic materials over molds.

How Vacuum Forming Works

To create a vacuum-formed product, the plastic sheet is first mounted into a frame and heated until it becomes soft. Once the material is ready, it is positioned over a mold, and a vacuum is applied to draw the material tightly over the mold, achieving the desired shape.

After forming, the material is cooled to retain its shape. The final product is then cut to remove unwanted material and prepared for use.

Industries Using Vacuum Forming

This technique is widely used in numerous industries, including packaging, to produce custom components. Some typical products made using vacuum forming include:

• Car dashboards


• Clamshell containers


• Healthcare packaging


• Store signage

 

Advantages of Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming is a fast method for producing custom plastic parts with minimal initial investment. Other notable benefits include:

• Rapid production


• Low-cost tooling


• Versatile applications


• Lightweight materials

 

Conclusion

Vacuum forming is a reliable process that facilitates the creation of custom plastic products at a budget-friendly rate.