Thermoforming is one of the most useful properties of thermoplastics because of its formability. Thermoplastics become soft and pliable when heated and can then be formed to almost any desired shape. Thermoforming, also called vacuum forming, is the heating of a thermoplastic sheet until it is pliable and stretchable, and them the hot sheet is forced against the contours of a mold by mechanical and/or vacuum pressure. Held to the shape of the mold and allowed to cool, the plastic sheet retains the mold's shape and detail. Molds are commonly constructed of wood, epoxy, or metal. Thermoforming involves several interconnected operations to produce a formed part:
Clamping , Heating , Forming, Cooling, & Trimming.
Thermoforming