Thermo Forming Plastic | P&M Plastics And Rubber

Plastic Thermoforming Services on the Gold Coast

Thermoforming services Australia-wide

Thermoforming is one of the oldest methods of shaping and fabricating plastics into different shapes and useful products. Similar to vacuum forming, our thermoforming process is performed by heating a thermoplastic material until it reaches a pre-set melt flow index at which point the material can be drape formed over a Tool / Mould and clamped into position, meaning we can form plastics to create our client’s chosen designs.

P&M Plastics is privately owned and operated since 1991, right here on the Gold Coast. Based in Burleigh, we’ve been providing thermoforming for almost all plastics and services for individuals and businesses Australia-wide.

For reliable results and plastic projects, consider P&M Plastic’s thermoforming services and contact us.

Thermoforming Services

Materials

Thermoformed shapes and plastics must be made out of materials that can be heated to a pre-set melt flow index. These include materials such as:

Acrylic
Perspex
High Impact Acrylic
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ASA (Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile)

TOOLING: All 2D vacuumed plastic components are made from a tool. During the prototype stages, the tool is made from wood or MDF and made in-house on our 3D routers or made in our Tooling Department.

After trials have been run, adjustments made and samples approved the tool is then manufactured from either fibreglass or an Aluminium Epoxy material.

Designs

P&M Plastics and Rubber can fabricate plastics and other materials using thermoforming to shape acrylic and mould according to your specifications. Depending on your requirements, our fabricators can construct moulds or use pre-supplied moulds that we have prepared.

With this same process, we are also able to "blow" half spheres to diameters from 50mm up to 2000mm Diameter.

Thin-gauge thermoforming:

Plastic or disposable cups and food packagings like containers and lids
Scoops for laundries or powders
Seedling tubes
General purpose tubs
Trays
Blisters

Thick-gauge thermoforming:

Panels for various applications
Liners
Plastic pallets

Sizes

We have several specialised Thermoforming ovens that can be used for a variety of applications, utilising different jig & plate sizes.

Thermoforming is performed by skilled tradespersons who can accurately adjust the individual heaters, the time, to ensure that the thermoformed part is consistent every time. We can create both large and small components up to 3x2.5 metres.

Price for thermoforming and quote

For an accurate estimate of your thermoforming job, we may ask about the desired material, size, thickness, and quantity for your project.

To start your quoting process, reach out to our Gold Coast-based team by contacting us online, or using the button below.

Request a quote

Thermoforming plastic letters on the Gold Coast

P&M Plastics team using thermoforming machine

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Thermoforming FAQs

Q: How does thermoforming work?

Thermoforming works similarly as the name suggests. By heating certain materials to malleable temperatures, we can form specific shapes and trim them to create usable products. While similar to vacuum forming, it is slightly more simple and suited to a wider range of clients.

Q: How is thermoforming different to other plastic forming processes?

Thermoforming is different to most plastic processing processes like injection, blow moulding, and rotational moulding. The way it differs from others is that it involves heating thermoforming plastic sheets and moulding them to a surface, instead of injecting liquid polymers into moulds like with injection.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermoforming?

Thermoforming is fast, cost-effective and very versatile compared to other plastic fabrication methods.

The only disadvantage of thermoforming is that it’s often restricted to thinner plastic designs. Despite this, thermoforming allows for larger quantities of products to be made, making it perfect for creating large quantities of products like containers, packaging, liners, and more.

Q: Are thermoformed plastics recyclable?

Yes, depending on the use of the material once thermoformed, the plastic can, and is encouraged to, be recycled.

Q: At what temperature can thermoforming occur?

Thermoforming can require temperatures up to double as hot as other thermoplastics, sometimes only starting at temperatures over 3,500°C and occasionally requiring temperatures as high as 4000°C, depending on the type of material being fabricated.

Q: Can PVC be thermoformed?

PVC can and commonly is thermoformed to create products for commercial use, like pipes, cables, liners, and floorings.

Similar Services

Related links:

See all Plastic Fabrication

Plastic Thermoforming Services on the Gold Coast

Thermoforming services Australia-wide

Thermoforming Services

Materials

Designs

Thin-gauge thermoforming:

Thick-gauge thermoforming:

Sizes

Price for thermoforming and quote

Thermoforming FAQs

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