Thermoforming is a versatile manufacturing process that uses heat and pressure to shape plastic into parts. Sheets of plastic are heated so they can be manipulated into whatever shape is needed. Once the sheet reaches the proper temperature, it is formed to create the desired product. After cooling, the plastic is trimmed to eliminate any artifacts from the manufacturing process and to make it ready for use.
Thermoforming parts are used in all kinds of industries, from industrial to consumer. The affordability of thermoforming, especially as compared to injection molding, makes it desirable for producing things like pallets, shipping containers, storage containers, and many other components.
In this article, we identify just some of the industries that can benefit and parts that can be made using thermoforming. Manufacturers across nearly all industries can or should be using thermoforming. For example, nearly all doors and liners for refrigerators and freezers are made by thermoforming, as are doors and panels for dishwashers and clothes dryers, window air conditioners, humidifiers, and other household appliances.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it identifies some common applications of thermoforming manufacturing.
Thermoforming has distinct advantages over other commonly used plastic molding processes. One major advantage is, compared to injection molding, thermoforming is generally less expensive. Thermoforming is also faster for prototyping and allows you to make larger parts more affordably.
At Vantage Plastics, we design and manufacture many types of thermoformed products. Protecting products in transit and in storage is extremely vital and is what we do best.
Our history of thermoformed products includes commercial and consumer products, such as:
At Vantage, we have manufactured packaging and dunnage for items as tiny as solenoids to as large as axle assemblies and engine blocks, from cheese trays to egg pallets, from seat cushions to entire automotive seat frames. As automotive moves to Electric Vehicles (EV), we can make containers for a wide range of the associated batteries. Anything needed for shipping or storage, we can create a package for it.
We have many solutions to meet your unique requirements. Contact us or call 989-846-1029 to discover how we can serve you!