Thermoforming Spotlight

High Performance 5-Axis CNC for Thermoforming

Thermwood Corporation’s Model 90, 5-Axis CNC Router brings high performance and reliability to a new level. This new high performance CNC router is built in the USA, at Thermwood’s Southern Indiana factory, utilizing an innovative new, highly efficient manufacturing approach which results in a superior structure coupled with enhanced use of materials.

The M90 features multiple table sizes ranging from a single 60” x 60” moving table to 72” x 144” dual tables for maximum production, continuous C-axis, their Patented Impact Resistant Head which eliminates the need to re-align the head after a crash and much more. The M90 offers high acceleration/high performance motions in both positioning and cutting. This high performance solution also includes Thermwood’s powerful QCore Super Control and superior features like fully stress relieved weldments, high-end Siemens drives throughout, THK rails, three-dimensional volumetric position compensation and many other quality features seldom, if ever, found at this price point.

The M90 is a robust, highly flexible production system capable of operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thermwood is a U.S. company with distributors worldwide and provides extensive and complete support, installation, training and ongoing service.

For more information, contact Jason Susnjara, Thermwood Corporation, 904 Buffaloville Rd., Dale, IN 47523, 800-533-6901/812-937-4476, Fax: 812-937- 2956, E-mail: info@thermwood.com, Web: www.thermwood.com.

Trimming Machines

GEISS, a worldwide leader in technology, quality and performance, manufactures trimming machines that can be exactly adapted to meet your specific requirements.

Depending on requirements, the GEISS trimming machines are available in any nominal size and different versions. The smallest machine size provides the same productivity and rigidity as the larger ones. The nominal size is equal to the block size trimmed with 5-axis in all machines. The machine size 2000 x 1000 mm is the most built standard size.

GEISS customers can be assured that all programs are interchangeable and compatible to enable transfer to newer control systems among all machine sizes.

Areas of application include: thermoplastics; glass and carbon fiber-reinforced composites; compression molded parts of GMT and SMC; molded parts of foam; honeycomb lightweight materials; pattern making foams in tool making and prototyping.

For more information, contact Michael J. Roche, Geiss LLC, 42 Ozick Drive, Unit 6, Durham, CT 06422, 203- 988-9426, E-mail: michael.roche@geissllc.com, Web: www.geiss-ttt.com.

Single-Station Thermoformer

MAAC Machinery’s Comet Model C64S is 100% plug-and-play. With a 72” x 48” maximum mold size, the single station thermoforming machine is equipped with variable speed programmable platens (32” stroke top/27” stroke bottom), quartz upper and quartz lower ovens and an electric sheet car index. Additional features include Allen Bradley PLC controls, adjustable clamp frames, 46 independent oven zones (23 zones per oven half), infrared pyrometer in the upper oven, safety/sag eye in the lower oven, air and vacuum memory positioning valves, oversized vacuum tank, high velocity cooling fans and an air conditioned electrical enclosure.

MAAC Machinery is the world’s largest thermoforming machinery manufacturer focusing exclusively on cut-sheet thermoforming applications. They design and manufacture the highest quality shuttle and rotary thermoforming machines specializing in vacuum forming, pressure forming, twin sheet forming and a wide variety of automotive OEM and custom thermoforming applications.

MAAC also offer trade-in deals for your out of date equipment so you can benefit and enjoy the latest technological advancements a MAAC machine has to offer.

For more information, contact Paul Alongi, MAAC Machinery, 590 Tower Blvd., Carol Stream, IL 60188, 630-665-1700, Fax: 630-665-7799, E-mail: sales@maacsales.com, Web: www.maacmachinery.com.

Adjustable Clamp Frames

Thermoformer Parts Suppliers (TPS) has improved their highly popular 4-Way Adjustable Clamp Frame System for use in Cut Sheet Thermoformers. Their newest clamp frames are constructed with re-designed steel cylinders that are more than an inch shorter than their QC2010 cylinders with the same stroke. Their frames are adjustable from 6” on up to your maximum frame size with no loss of forming size on your current machine.

A simple turn of a handle allows the operator to unlock the clamping bars and slide them into position around the mold. Pull a pin and the short bars flip up, disconnect the quick connect air lines, turn a knob, and slide the short sections into position. Changing your clamp frames has never been quicker or easier.

The 2017 Quick Change system utilizes TPS’ original heavy-duty aluminum clamp frame extrusions connected to a readily available 1" x 3" 8020 profile system providing a smaller profile and an air manifold for supplying air to the long frames. Adjustable sections slide back and forth with a hardened steel T bracket on steel angle allowing infinite adjustability.

The clamp frames are available with optional high temperature cylinders rated up to 575°F. TPS offers over 20,000 parts for your thermoforming needs.

For more information, contact Brad Moore, TPS LLC, 3818 Terry Diane, Beaverton, MI 48612, 800-722-2997 /989-435-3800, Fax: 989-435-3825, E-mail: brad@thermoformerparts.com, Web: www.thermoformerparts.com.

New Sheet Supplier

MP3 S.R.L., a leading European extruder, made its debut in the US market as an exhibitor and sponsor at the SPE Thermo form - ing Division’s annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 9- 11, 2019. Its recently opened subsidiary, MP3 USA, wIll be marketing ABS and ABS/PMMA sheet, as well as HIPS roll stock produced at MP3 S.R.L.’s 900,000 sq. ft state-of the-art facility in Bazzano near Bologna, Italy.

MP3 S.R.L. has an overall capacity of 66 MM lbs. in sheet for heavy gauge thermoforming applications, and 100 MM lbs. in thing gauge roll-stock, and continues to invest in manufacturing technology and production capacity to serve its customers most demanding needs in over 40 countries.

Known worldwide for its high quality and responsiveness to customers requirements, MP3 S.R.L. seeks to position itself in the US market as a supplier of choice in the heavy gauge sheet business, with a particular focus on high aesthetic applications, where surface finish is critical. Thanks to its experienced and dedicated workforce, it’s advanced manufacturing technology and quality-control, and long-established relationships with the world’s best suppliers of PS, ABS, ASA and PMMA resins, MP3 S.R.L. can offer the highest quality sheet at competitive prices, worldwide.

For more information, contact Alex Perri, MP3 USA Inc., 825 Winsham Dr., Columbia, SC 29229, 803-477-3243, E-mail: mp3-usa@plastics-market.com, Web: www.ilpa-mp3.com/en.

New & Used Thermoformers & Routers

PlastiMach is a leading sales organization in the United States specializing in new and used thermoformers and CNC routers since 1975. Plastimach is an excellent source for buying and selling late model equipment nationwide. Their experience as a buyer and seller of used equipment provides us the ability to understand the used marketplace on a day- to-day basis.

They realize that a machine’s value is dependent upon many variables, which are critical to ensure that the equipment can be sold or purchased at the right price. Allow us the opportunity to provide the right machine for your application. if you’re looking to sell a machine they can assist you in selling that obsolete asset.

For more information, contact Jerry Hammerman, PlastiMach Corp., 704 Executive Blvd., Valley Cottage, NY 10989, 800-394-1128/845-267-2985, Fax: 800-394- 1128/845-267-2825, E-mail: jerryh@plastimach.com, Web: www.plastimach.com.

New Tooling for Softer Plastics

The new Series 9900 Double Edge “O” Flute Upcut Spiral tooling from Vortex Tool Company is ideal for increased finishes on softer plastics such as HDPE, ABS, UHMW, solid surface, polycarbonate and similar materials. With improved geometry including a slightly higher helix, the Series 9900 has better chip evacuation in thicker materials and the polished flute reduces drag allowing for a deeper depth per pass. Seven sizes are available to meet a wide range of routing applications.

American owned and operated, Vortex Tool Company, Inc., designs and manufactures a wide variety of standard and custom high-performance router and insert cutting tools for the woodworking and plastics industries, and provides re-tipping and sharpening services.

For more information, contact Mike Serwa, Vortex Tool Company, 5605 East Jelinek Ave., Schofield, WI 54476, 800-355-7708/715- 355-7707, Fax: 715-355-7353 E-mail: mike@vortextool.com, Web: www.vortextool.com.

Cutting & Milling Tools

Hufschmied offers a range of tooling specifically designed for milling plastics. With plastic materials it is crucial to keep the milling temperature as low as possible. This can be achieved with tools from their Universal-Line and Sharp- Line. Depending on your requirements and your machinery, the solution to your processing problem offers you a choice of one, two or three-flute cutters.

Hufschmied tools are designed to minimize burr formation and provide a quality edge finish at high feed rates minimizing secondary operations.

When it comes to cutting thermoset the avoidance of burr formation is critical to a high quality edge finish. Their Universal-Line and Proto-Line are well suited for this category of materials.

For the processing of PMMA, cast or extruded, the Frasen Per Plex product range of single-fluted milling cutters produce a mirror-like surface finish without the need for additional polishing tools or any other polishing action. When working acrylics, milling cutters and drills need to produce sharply defined cutting edges. For this approach, Hufschmied supplies the FPE tool system with a singlestep roughing and finishing cycle producing these very sharply defined edges. For polycarbonate and PET their Sharp-Line will provide a sooth finish with long tool life.

For more information, contact Erin Marciniak, Hufschmied USA, 42 Ozark Drive, Unit 6, Durham CT 06422. 239- 220-6602, E-mail: sales@hufschmiedusa.com, Web: www.hufschmied.net.

Coated CNC Router Bits

Coated CNC Router Bits Amana Tool, a producer of industrial quality carbide-tipped, solid carbide and replacement carbide cutting tools, recently introduced their Spektra™ extreme tool life coated CNC router bit line.

Their Spektra bits feature a nACo® nanocomposite coating with an extreme

Nano hardness and heat resistance. With a brilliant distinctively-tinted coloring, nACo provides additional improvements in four critical aspects of router tooling.

nACo coating is a micro-thin ceramic coating which enables the tool's cutting edge to retain crucial sharpness and lubricity. This provides longevity and produces cutting results of the highest quality. The coating also prevents high heat and oxidation, which is detrimental to cutting tool performance. The multi-colored hues, while attractive, will dissipate upon use and yet coating will remain fully effective.

nACo offers approximately 4,500 Vickers for impressive solid hardness on cutting areas of the tool, for an increase up to 2.5 times the life compared to uncoated bits.

The range of tools is aimed at use in the high production wood and plastics industries. Featured are solid carbide compression spirals for use on wood, wood veneer, plywood, MDF and laminates. Also offered are solid carbide “O’ flute tools for use on acrylic (Plexiglas® Lucite®) and many other plastic materials. The tools are available in a variety of sizes. The compression tools are also offered in a 5-piece set.

For more information, contact Frank Misiti, Amana Tool, 120 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735, 800-445-0077/631-752-1300, Fax: 631-752-1674, E-mail: frankm@amanatool.com, Web: www.amanatool.com.