Thick Sheet Thermoforming - Lesson 2 Properties of Extruded Sheet

About this Video

• Video Title: Thick Sheet Thermoforming - Lesson 2 Properties of Extruded Sheet
• Channel: PaulsonTraining
• Speakers: None specified in transcript.
• Duration: 00:02:11

Introduction

This video details the thermoforming process, focusing on the initial steps involved in shaping a sheet of plastic. It explains the importance of consistent sheet orientation to maintain part properties and describes the heating process, including monitoring the sheet's sag as an indicator of even heating.

Key Takeaways

• Consistent Sheet Orientation: Maintaining the same direction of highest molecular orientation throughout the process is crucial for consistent part properties (shrinkage and strength).
• Six Processing Steps: All thermoforming methods involve six steps: load, heat, form, cool, part removal, and trim.
• Heating Process: The sheet is heated to its forming temperature (typically 200-375°F, depending on the plastic type) using heaters above and below.
• Sag as an Indicator: The amount and shape of the sag in the heated sheet indicates the evenness of heating and the formability of the plastic.
• Uneven Heating (Optional): For certain part designs, uneven heating might be intentionally used to optimize plastic distribution in the finished part.