Vacuum Thermoforming is a manufacturing process in which a flat thermoplastic sheet is heated to a ‘forming optimal temperature’, softened according to its chemical composition then, using a combination of vacuum and pressure, is formed into a 3-dimensional part.

There are several advantages of thermoplastic vacuum forming, which include:

• Reduced tooling charges – the reduced complexity and lower loads make this a cheaper option than injection moulding
• Significantly reduced machine time and material costs – a production run can be set up with several moulds on the same machine bed, to form multiple impressions
• Wider material choice – depending on the time, budget and finish required, production tools or moulds can be made from epoxy or polyester resin, cast aluminium, milled aluminium or wood.
• Ideal for small, medium or large volume production runs
• Suitable for a wide range of products and components – the versatile nature of vacuum forming means it works well for a wide range of industries, from bespoke industrial design companies to those requiring more standardised components, such as in the gardening industry