Vacuum forming

Vacuforming technology GEISS DU2400x2400x1000 T8

In 2002, we installed the vacuforming machine for acrylate products, which is considered to be one of the most modern installations in Europe. Besides other factors the use of the machine guarantees that all our production is of first-grade quality in compliance with the ISO 9001:2000 series of standards.

This is the most modern forming installation used at the CARBONMAX plant. Machine model: DU 2400 x 2400 x 1000 T8. There, parts sized up to 2400 x 2400 mm and 960 mm depth can be formed in two forming window plates.

Forming window plates are adjustable as follows:

1) Smaller window plate: 2250 x 1250 mm max, 1250 x 750 mm min
2) Larger window plate: 2400 x 1700 mm max, 1400 x 1200 mm min

Machine features include an automatic positioning device of the forming window plates. Formed sheets are heated up using halogen "flash" elements mounted on the bottom and top heaters. The technology is composed of an automatic sheet loader and forming machine. The process begins by laying the sheets into the automatic loader (sheets are stacked aligned on the pallet), a relevant program is selected and initiated thereby. At this moment the loader moves above the pallet with stacked sheets. Using suction pads, one sheet is gripped and placed onto the forming window plate. Heaters move into the heating positions and once the sheet is heated up completely, it is formed, cooled down and taken away to the inspection area. Afterwards, the next forming cycle will be launched. All the process steps proceed automatically according to the preset program.

Process advantages:

1) Forming options for products featuring a more complex profile by the use of local halogen heating elements (only specific areas can be heated up)
2) Various types of materials can be processed (Acrilan, PS, ABS)
3) Lower wage costs
4) Optional forming from a box or mould
5) Individual programming for each type of product
6) Fully automated forming process
7) Forming options for large-sized parts
8) Quicker forming cycle

Process drawbacks:

1) High demands on the quality of formed sheets (purity, film, moisture)
2) Use of aluminium moulds only (laminate moulds only as an exception)

In all our production areas we put the accent on environmental protection to meet requirements of the ISO 14001 standard to which we were certified in 2004.