Thermoforming Spotlight

Trimming Machines
GEISS AG, a worldwide leader in technology, quality and performance, manufactures trimming and vacuumforming machines that can be configured exactly to meet the customer’s specific requirements.

Depending on the customer’s specific application, the GEISS machine can be produced in any nominal size and delivered with and in any combination of the more than 100 options to meet any need in terms of the materials to be processed as well as the capacity requirement They are able to deliver a full range of features to result in equipment best suited for any need starting at basic manually loaded, semi-automation all the way up to fully-automatic operations The idea is to be able to deliver the most cost-effective solution for meeting a full range of requirements regardless of product size or the material type being processed, at any production capacity within a wide range of their clients and budget.

Geiss has now introduced the market to a fully integrated forming and trimming solution. Thye now offer to configure their forming and trimming machines together with an integrated six-axis robot that allows for a full-automatic solution. The user can start with palletized sheet material and without human intervention, get out the finished parts because all the handling between forming, trimming is done automatically. Addition further operations such as management of the scrap and dust and chip mitigation, or part inspection with vision systems can be integrated. Geiss already offered automatic exchange of sheet material and molds.

Despite the possibility to run in a fully automated configuration both the vacuum forming and trimming machines can be run independently of each other without the use of the robot.

Cycle times can be balanced between the thermoforming and the trimming processes by using multiples of the machines of either type together with robotic integration to reach an ideal configuration.

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.

High-Performance Adhesive Tapes
For over 40 years, Alamotape® has pioneered high-performing adhesive tapes and laminates for use in durable goods applications. They recently released a new cutting-edge adhesive technology, which is a breakthrough for use with heavy gauge thermoforming plastics. This development addresses many common challenges in thermoforming by adhering similar and dissimilar substrates in-house. The new adhesive technology is an economical alternative to prototype capped parts and costly custom set-up costs.

Alamotape currently offers two tacky thermosetting adhesive tapes that can be used for thermoforming: Alamotape 5105 Tacky Thermoset performs like an acrylic PSA at room temperature, then cures like an epoxy when heat and pressure are applied. It can withstand up to about 400°F for prolonged periods of time once fully cured. It comes standard as a transfer tape but can be supplied with most available substrates to add functionality.

Alamotape 5202 Tacky Thermoset has excellent initial tack and peel strength at room temperature – outperforming most PSA tapes. With added heat and pressure, the adhesive then cures to even higher bond strength. This adhesive tape is designed for low surface energy substrates including most plastics. 5202 Tacky Thermoset is ideally suited for thermoforming applications where dissimilar substrates can be fused together during the forming process.

For more information, contact Mick Grant, Alamotape®, 6110 Rittiman Rd., San Antonio, TX 78218, 800-549-9860/570-902-9066, E-mail: mgrant@alamotape.com, Web: www.alamotape.com.

Heating Solutions
Schultz Forming Products provides heating and forming solutions for the Plastic Sheet Industry. Their Ovens provide fabricators of PVC trim, Expanded PVC, Acrylic, and plastic sheets with a durable, reliable, and affordable heating solution. The Ovens provide quick and uniform heating of plastic sheets with infrared heating technology and natural occurring convection for a penetrating and fast heating time. The standard PS48 Oven supports plastic sheets sizes up to 48" x 96", and Schultz builds custom ovens for specific material dimensions and specific heating needs.

Schultz Forming Products has a long history of building thermoforming products geared toward the cabinet and furniture manufacturing industries and those who need to thermoform plastics of all types. Purchasing a quality product made in the USA from Schultzform can open a world of creative possibilities to increase your business results. In addition to heating solutions, Schultz also provides Vacuum Forming options. For those interested in thermoforming, Schultz is your one-stop shop for thermoforming products.

For more information, contact Stephen Johnstone, Schultz Forming Products, 2796 Loker Ave. West, Ste 105, Carlsbad, CA 92010, 928-345-8717, E-mail: info@schultzform.com, Web: www.schultzform.com.

Waste Grinder
Castaly Industries offers a large selection of waste grinders specially designed with push ram, powerful crusher for different materials such as plastic, rubber, wood, MDF, particle board, corn cob, etc. Excellent wearing ability and impact-resistant for time and labor savings.

Large busting capacity and easy feed system. The shaft rest for the cutterhead is constructed by round hollow with special angle to keep cooling for long hours of usage. Cutterhead angle cutting design allows for aggressive cutting rates & high-speed shredding of waste with maximum durability. Movable screen for changing the size of chips and easy cleanup.

For more information, contact Jeff Ou, Castaly Industries Corp., 637 Vineland Ave., La Puente, CA 91746, 626-968-6330, Fax: 626-336-2890, E-mail: jeff@castalymachine.com, Canada Branch: 956 Rue André-Liné, Granby, QC J2J 1E2 CANADA, 450-372-3876, Web: www.castalymachine.com.

Heavy Duty CNC
The Thermwood 5 Axis Model 90 is a heavy duty, high-speed five axis CNC router specifically developed for three dimensional applications. It is used for production trimming of thermoformed, composite and fiberglass parts as well as being utilized for machine patterns and molds directly from CAD data. This robust system offers a variety of options and features to tackle a multitude of different applications. The Model 90 comes with either single (5’x 5’, 5’x 10, 10’x 5’) or dual moving aluminum tables (5’x 5, 5’x 10’ and 5’x 12’) as well as a 12 HP router and a 4-position automatic tool changing system as standard. Bigger routers and additional automatic tool changers are available.

Other options are an automatic tool length sensor, automatic lubrication system, gantry lighting, machine enclosure, continuous C axis, accu-lube mist coolant system, 6-position bar style automatic tool changer and ten-position rotary automatic tool changer. Three-dimensional laser compensated axis alignment, installation and five-day machine training are included as standard.

Thermwood is a US based, multinational, diversified CNC machinery manufacturer that markets its products and services through offices in 11 countries. Thermwood is the oldest manufacturer of highly flexible, 3- and 5-axis high-speed machining centers. They primarily market to the plastics, aerospace, composites and woodworking industries but have found applications in almost every major industry from medical to entertainment.

For more information, contact Duane Marrett, Thermwood Corporation, 904 Buffaloville Rd., Dale, IN 47523, 800-533-6901, E-mail: duane.marrett@thermwood.com. Web: www.thermwood.com.

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

We 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, 1 Rockland Park Ave., Tappan, New York, 10983, 800-394-1128/845-267-2985, Fax: 845-875-9401, E-mail: jerryh@plastimach.com, Web: www.plastimach.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.