McCLARIN Composites thermoforming is capable in both thermoplastic and thermoplastic composite parts. We are differentiated in capabilities for large-scale parts.
Our vacuum forming and thermoforming capability are a reliable solution for medium to heavy gauge parts with complex shapes.
During the vacuum forming process, thermoplastic sheets or reinforced thermoplastic composite (TPC) organosheets are heated until formable around a mold. It is a simple process that produces resilient, lightweight, and seamless parts quickly and efficiently.
Vacuum formed parts are individual components that leave the process as the intended product, or occasionally as a substantial part of the intended product; these parts are good substitutes for metal materials due to enhanced durability and higher strength-to-weight ratios.
The vacuum forming process is one-sided; meaning the finished part shape and detail are both on one side. Advantages of vacuum forming include less expensive tooling, fast turnaround, lower maintenance and modification compared to injection molding processes.
Thermoforming can be used to form thermoplastic sheets or TPC organosheets into three-dimensional shapes. Thermoforming requires a relatively low level of forming pressure, so tooling can be constructed rapidly and less expensively compared to other molding processes. Fast cycle times, combined with automated sheet-feeding equipment, allows rapid turnaround of components with dimensions up to 16-foot Length by 8-foot Width by 4-foot Depth.
We utilize a combination of automated, manual, and digitally controlled equipment to form parts of acrylic (primarily Kydex), polycarbonate (PC), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and ABS/PC blends and other specialty sheet as needed.