The thick film vacuum forming machine is a key processing equipment for producing vacuum formed plastic parts, utilizing plastic sheet materials as raw materials. It involves heating the thermoplastic plastic sheet to its softening temperature in an oven, followed by vacuum suction between the plastic sheet and the vacuum forming mold, which causes the plastic sheet in a thermoplastic state to adhere to the mold's working surface and then cool and solidify.
An Overview of the Working Principle of Thick Sheet Blowing Molding Machines
The principle of thick sheet vacuum forming machine is as follows: Similar to thin sheet vacuum forming, it involves heating the positioned sheet material to a softened state in an oven. Then, a vacuum mold is used to create an enclosed space around it, instantly removing the air inside the mold cavity. This tightly adheres the sheet material to the mold surface, followed by cooling and shaping.
The process of obtaining the finished product.
Blow molding is a cyclic process, with each cycle mainly including: feeding — heating and softening — reverse blowing pre-pulling — blowing — cooling and shaping — demolding and picking out the parts. After removing the molded parts, the plate is then placed back (either manually or automatically) to start the next cycle.
Today, a manager from a thick sheet blow molding factory approached us, seeking to purchase a car bumper blow molding machine. During the initial communication, the manager revealed that his factory already owns two large blow molding machines produced by a certain company in Guangdong. However, after less than 5 years of use, it has become apparent that the equipment has not delivered the anticipated results and is now showing signs of becoming obsolete. How long is the lifespan of a blow molding machine, anyway?
Industry insiders know that the lifespan of an auto bumper vacuum forming machine is determined by the machine's own configuration and assembly quality.
1) The electrical configurations generally opt for Japanese and European brands (e.g., Omron, Nippon Contol, Mitsubishi, Siemens).
2) The pneumatic configurations are typically European brands (such as: Norgren, Festo, etc.) with over 10 years of experience. It largely depends on the air source. For car bumper vacuum forming machines, they usually use reciprocating air compressors, not screw-type air compressors. It is recommended to use screw-type air compressors, which will extend the lifespan of solenoid valves, cylinders, and other components.
3) Heat bricks can be imported options (such as: from Germany), which typically have a lifespan of 15-20 years without issue.
4) Regarding the guide rails, aluminum alloy encased in stainless steel is indeed much more durable.
5) The hot furnace is also made of stainless steel, which is more durable, but the frame must be well-constructed, otherwise the stainless steel may still deform upon heating.
6) The vacuum pumps for automotive bumper vacuum forming machines, using Germany's top three brands (Pulsar, Ricela, Becker), generally last around 15 years with proper maintenance as per the manual, but it largely depends on the customer's willingness to invest in maintenance. Typically, ACF vacuum formers seen in the market have a lifespan of over a decade, but remember, good maintenance is crucial.
