What is thermoforming?
Thermoforming is a method of shaping plastic sheet to conform to the contours of a mold through the use of heat and pressure. Vacuum forming uses a negative pressure between the sheet and the mold. Pressure forming uses a positive pressure on the opposite side of the sheet and a negative pressure between the sheet and the mold.

With all thermoforming, dry sheet is heated to a controlled softening temperature, stretched to conform to the mold contours and cooled to the temperature at which the part becomes rigid and maintains the desired shape. The formed part is then trimmed to eliminate edges and fabricated into the final configuration.

Each step in the forming process is vital to the quality of the finished part. Sheet quality, heating processes, forming paramaters and cooling conditions must be monitored and controlled to obtain quality parts. Wall thickness variation, surface appearance and material physical properties are dependent on accurate process control to achieve the desired final product.




Packright Manufacturing Ltd Unit 119-1525 Broadway St. Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 6P6 Phone: 604.468.4305 Fax: 604.468.4365