Thermoforming.

Like many other NPE exhibitors, thermoforming equipment suppliers are taking less machinery to this year's Chicago event. However, most major machine makers will be there, and despite less abundant hardware, there will be plenty of news in equipment and process technology.

Most of the action is focused on continuous roll-fed machines for packaging. Here, suppliers are touting new productivity enhancements such as bigger machines, faster cycles, quicker changeover, and greater automation.

Largest continuous machine

Thermoforming Systems LLC is introducing the Low Flex 6.0, claimed to be the largest continuous thermoformer in the industry, with a 65 x 65 in. forming area, 10-in. draw depth, and throughput of 10,000 lb/hr.

New "third-generation" thermoformers from Illig claim several productivity benefits for roll-fed or in-line extrusion/forming operation. The new RDM 70K operates at 40 cycles/min. for a 25% improvement over current technology. The machine boasts novel trim-in-place technology and tooling features such as improved water cooling and reduced forming-air consumption. In addition, material reductions of 10% to 30% are claimed. Illig will run 3-in. diam. PP cups in a 24-cavity mold.

Kiefel Technologies Inc. is introducing the Thermorunner KTR 6 high-speed cup former with forming area increased to 750 x 450 mm. This largest Thermorunner model accommodates up to 51 cavities and speeds up to 45 dry cycles/min. Also new is a three-axis pick-and-place stacker for the KMD 85 Speedformer, suitable for blister packs, lids, and hinged packaging.

Other developments in thin-gauge packaging include the new GN4532 roll-fed thermoformer from Canada's GN Plastics. The machine has a forming area of 45 x 32 in. and 5-in. draw depth. It runs 20 dry cycles/min for production of large food containers such as bakery trays, cake domes, and hinged containers. A unique pivoting preheater swings away and exposes the tool and heater platen for easy removal. GN Plastics has also upgraded its novel GN 1914DM dual-mold former with two robotic stackers and multi-zone heating.

Automation supplier Hekuma will add a new twist to the in-mold labeling (IML) system it introduced at the K 2004 show in Dusseldorf. At NPE, the system will be adapted to RFID "tags" with embedded electronic chips.

Lyle Industries is showcasing several new enhancements to its servo-driven Model 152 FM roll-fed former, including a new platen guidance system, new leaf-style toggles, and advanced process controls.

Zed Industries Inc. is showing its new Model SC high-speed, in-line thermoformer with trim-in-mold capability, a new self-compensating seal system, and automated down-stacking with part counting and unloading. The machine will run deep-draw PP and PE containers with active plug assists.

Gabler of Germany (represented here by Lyle Industries) will introduce the 50-in. 4 Play PP preheater. It consists of four 550-mm-diam. rollers for contact heating.

Industrial cut-sheet machines

Geiss' new All-in-One cut-sheet machine incorporates a trimmer inline with the thermoformer. After forming, a sheet loader takes the finished part to the trim station using locating lugs formed into the sheet. The company is also introducing the industry's first roll-fed, twin-sheet machine utilizing "zero-gravity" forming, Geiss' special system that uses air pressure under the hot sheet to prevent sagging.

MAAC Machinery will feature a fully adjustable clamp frame that slashes changeover time from 30 min to 5 min per station. Also on display will be new options for MAAC machines including quick tool change, direct-drive platen positioning, articulating/stretchable clamp frames, and computerized valve proportioning.

Exhibitor Listings

Includes forming and trimming machinery, auxiliaries, components, and controls. New developments appear in boldface.

ADVANCED VENTURES IN TECHNOLOGY

Booth 9404

Thermoforming machinery supplier is introducing auxiliary systems for sheet and finished-part handling, destacking, and conveying.

BROWN MACHINE LLC

Booth 1409

Supplies continuous in-line and cut-sheet thermoformers, trim presses, lip rollers, tooling, kits, and parts and service.

CMT MATERIALS INC.

Booth 3140

Supplies polymer, syntactic foam, and composite tooling materials, including Hytac plug-assist products, Renshape prototype and modeling boards, and Metapor air-permeable tooling.

COMMODORE MACHINE CO. INC.

Booth 3120

Introducing urethane-punch steel-rule trim tool for production of PS foam meat trays.

DEKKER VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Booth 9326

Supplies vacuum pumps. Showing VMax oil-sealed liquid-ring systems, Titan single-stage liquid-ring pump, and DuraVane rotary-vane vacuum pump.

EMERSON & CUMING COMPOSITE MATERIALS INC.

Booth 7816

Showing new Eccolite Ultra PBT plug-assist material. Highly heat-resistant, dust-free material is 33% lighter than syntactic foam and machines faster.

EPCO LLC

Booth 1409

Offers rebuilding and modification services for thermoforming machines.

EPSOL MACHINERY SDN BHD 

Booth 4776

Malaysian manufacturer of heavy-gauge thermoforming machines.

FANUC ROBOTICS AMERICA INC.

Booth 9620

Will host automation integrator Robotic Production Technology demonstrating trimming/routing.

FORMECH INC.

Booth 10444

Supplies compact, economical vacuum forming machines.

GABLER THERMOFORM GMBH & CO. KG

Booth 9901

U.S. launch of 4 Play preheating system for PP products. The 50-in., four-roll contact-heating system offers more uniform heating and faster cycles.

GARDNER DENVER BLOWER DIV.

Booth 11307

Supplies vacuum and pressure pumps and systems. Highlighting its Zephyr contact-less, maintenance-free technology.

GEISS THERMOFORMING USA LLC

Booth 9833

Introducing industry's first roll-fed twin-sheet machine utilizing "zero-gravity" forming. Air pressure under the hot sheet prevents sagging. Also introducing All-in-One machine, which incorporates a trimmer in line with the thermoformer. The unit integrates forming, loading, and trimming in one machine with one controller.

G.N. PLASTICS CO. LTD.

Booth 9920

Launching GN4532 roll-fed thermoformer for high-volume production of large food containers. Also upgrading its GN1914DM dual-mold machine with two robotic stacking systems and multi-zone heating for higher productivity.

HEKUMA GMBH

Booth 577

German firm is introducing in-mold labeling with RFID tags. Will run 4-cavity yogurt cups at 15 cycles/min with IML RFID tags.

ILLIG

Booth 9810

Introducing "third-generation" thermoformers with faster cycles and improved quality. New RDM 70K operates at 40 cycles/min, a 25% improvement over current technology. The machine will run 3-in.-diam. PP cups in a 24-cavity mold.

IMG PLASTEC CO., LTD.

Booth 8228

German/Polish firm supplies Chinese-built continuous in-line vacuum and pressure-forming machines for cups, trays, bowls, and packaging. Systems with separate trim press or form/trim/count/stack and scrap rewind in one machine. Also offers double-ender thick-sheet former and integrated sheet extrusion/forming lines.

IRWIN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Booth 9801

Showing Model 30 roll-fed thermoformer with high-speed trim press.

KIEFEL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Booth 1415

Introducing Thermorunner KTR 6 high-speed cup former with increased forming area (750 x 450 mm) to accommodate up to 51 cavities. Also introducing 3-axis pick-and-place stacker for the KMD 86 Speedformer for high-volume production of blister packs, lids, and hinged packaging.

LORCO

Booth 7309

Minority-owned custom thermoforming application development center provides product design, project management, tool construction, custom machining and manufacturing, and low-volume production.

LYLE INDUSTRIES INC.

Booth 9905

Discussing new enhancements to its servo-driven Model 152 FM roll-fed former, including a new platen guiding system, new leaf-style toggles, and advanced controls.

MAAC MACHINERY CORP.

Booth 4216

Launching fully adjustable, quick--setup clamp frame, which reduces changeovers from 30 min to 5 min. Also showing Model R55T5A Royce router jointly developed by Maac and Stopol.

MARBACH TOOL & EQUIPMENT INC.

Booth 9716

German supplier of thermoforming tools for manufacturing food containers, lids, and trays.

MONARK EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES

Booth 10619

Introducing quick-change extruded aluminum clamp frames, quick-change mold clamps for cut sheets, and economical single-station thermoformers.

MULTIBA/HETRONIK

Booth 9533 (Exhibiting with Weco International)

German firms are showing infrared control systems, ceramic and quartz heaters, and quartz/tungsten reflectors.

NESCCO INC.

Booth 9404 (Exhibiting with Advanced Ventures in Technology)

Showing new line of universally adaptable clamp frames.

OMV-USA INC.

Booth 9910

Discussing Italian-built F87 integrated in-line extrusion/forming system with forming area of 850 x 650 mm and built-in rim roller for PP drinking cups. The machine processes 1600 lb/hr and permits quick mold changes.

RAJOO ENGINEERS LTD.

Booth 4980

Indian company will discuss its Dispocon thermoforming machines.

ROBOTIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Booth 9620 (Exhibiting with Fanuc Robotics)

Introducing RoboTrim RT-500 robotic trimming/routing system with increased part-height capability (36 in.).

SENCORP INC.

Booth 7516

Announcing new technology sharing agreement with Asano Laboratories Co., Ltd., a Japanese thermoforming equipment manufacturer. Sencorp plans to build Asano machines for the North American market and integrate Asano components, including its quick-response heaters, into its own machines.

SPI THERMOFORMING INSTITUTE

SPI Pavilion

Organization of custom thermoformers within Society of the Plastics Industry.

SUNWELL GLOBAL LTD.

Booth 9840 (Exhibiting with Thermoforming Systems)

Korean maker of thermoformers (continuous in-line types, some with contact heating) and sheet extrusion systems has alliance with Thermoforming Systems LLC.

THERMOFORMER PARTS SUPPLIERS (TPS)

Booth 9455

Showing new quick-change clamp frame and pin bars. Also featuring the first stacker hinge made of acetal.

THERMOFORMING CONNECTION LLC

Booth 9455 (Exhibiting with Thermoformer Parts Suppliers)

Introducing TCAL cylinders and knobs, an align-and-lock system for quick tool changes. New TC2 Small-Fry cylinder has tapered receptacle and tapered male knob, aligns to within 0.0005 in. with static holding force of 1200 lb.

THERMOFORMING SYSTEMS LLC

Booth 9840

Introducing Low Flex 6.0, claimed to be the largest continuous thermoformer in the industry with a 65 x 65 in. forming area and throughput of 10,000 lb/hr.

TONG SHIN PACK CO. LTD.

Booth 10731

Korean supplier is introducing Model TS-AP3 servo-driven continuous inline thermoformer with forming area of 630 x 250 mm. A six-cavity machine will run a PP margarine container at 15 cycles/min.

VFK HEAD CORP.

Booth 10727

Korean supplier of thermoforming molds and machines.

WECO INTERNATIONAL

BOOTH 9533

Supplies infrared heating equipment. Introducing advanced heat profiling systems for roll-fed thermoformers.

ZED INDUSTRIES INC.

Booth 4730

Introducing Zed Model SC in-line thermoformer with trim-in-mold capabilities. It will produce deep-draw PP and PE parts with active plug assists. Also showing new Model SF high-speed in-line thermoformer that operates at 55 cycles/min.

ZMD INTERNATIONAL INC.

Booth 745

Supplies thermoforming machines, heaters, and turnkey systems.