Thermoforming is a processing technique involving air pressure applied to heated plastic, and combines the earlier terminology of vacuum-formed and pressure-formed operations. A specialist in thermoforming, mechanical engineer Rosen describes the roll-fed process, properties of plastic materials, designing products, thermoforming machines, trim presses, knife-like trim dies, and off-line punch-and-die trimming. Chapters on molds cover mold design, system components, layout and base design, and cost estimating. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This handbook provides a framework for understanding how to characterize plastic manufacturing processes for use in troubleshooting problems. The 21 chapters are authored by well-known and experienced engineers who have specialized knowledge about the processes covered in this practical guide. From the Preface: “In every chapter, the process is described and the most common problems are discussed along with the root causes and potential technical solutions. Numerous case studies are provided that illustrate the troubleshooting process. Mark A. Spalding, The Dow Chemical Company

The process of heating and reshaping plastics sheet and film materials has been in use since the beginning of the plastics industry. This process is known as thermoforming. Today this process is used for industrial products including signage, housings, and hot tubs. It also produces much of the packaging in use today including blister packs, egg cartons, and food storage containers. This process has many advantages over other methods of producing these products, but it has some limitations. This book has a twofold purpose. It is designed to be used as a text book for a course on thermoforming. It is also intended to be an application guide for professionals in the field of thermoforming including manufacturing, process and quality engineers, and managers. This book is focused on process application rather than theory. It refers to real products and processes with the intent of understanding the real issues faced in this industry. In addition to materials and processes, part and tool design are covered. Quality control is critical to any operation and this is also covered in this text. Two areas of focus in today's industry include Lean operations and environmental issues. Both of these topics are also included. Table of Contents: Introduction / Plastics Materials / Thermoforming Process Overview / The Forming Process / Part Design Mold / Tool Design / Quality Control Issues / Lean Operations / Environmental Issues

This review provides a brief discussion of the thermoforming process, including its historical development and machinery and material requirements. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

Thermoforming of Single and Multilayer Laminates explains the fundamentals of lamination and plastics thermoforming technologies along with current and new developments. It focuses on properties and thermoforming mechanics of plastic films and in particular single and multilayered laminates, including barrier films. For environmental and economic reasons, laminates are becoming increasingly important as a replacement for solid sheets and paint finishes in many industries, including transportation, packaging, and construction. Yet the processes of film formability during the extensive deformation and elevated temperatures experienced in conventional processing technologies, such as thermoforming, are poorly understood by most engineers. This book covers production processes, such as extrusion, calendaring, and casting, as well as mechanical and impact testing methods. It also describes how testing protocols developed for metals can be leveraged for plastic films and laminates, and includes a thorough discussion on methods for performing optical strain analysis. Applications in transportation vehicles and packaging, including packaging for food, medical and electronics applications, sports equipment, and household appliances, are discussed. Safety, recycling and environmental aspects of thermoforming and its products complete the book. First comprehensive source of information and hands-on guide for the thermoforming of multilayered laminates Covers applications across such sectors as automotive, packaging, home goods, and construction Introduces new testing methods leveraging protocols used for metals

Insights and Innovations in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation comprises 360 papers that were presented at the Sixth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2016, Cape Town, South Africa, 5-7 September 2016). The papers reflect the broad scope of the SEMC conferences, and cover a wide range of engineering structures (buildings, bridges, towers, roofs, foundations, offshore structures, tunnels, dams, vessels, vehicles and machinery) and engineering materials (steel, aluminium, concrete, masonry, timber, glass, polymers, composites, laminates, smart materials). Some contributions present the latest insights and new understanding on (i) the mechanics of structures and systems (dynamics, vibration, seismic response, instability, buckling, soil-structure interaction), and (ii) the mechanics of materials and fluids (elasticity, plasticity, fluid-structure interaction, flow through porous media, biomechanics, fracture, fatigue, bond, creep, shrinkage). Other contributions report on (iii) recent advances in computational modelling and testing (numerical simulations, finite-element modeling, experimental testing), and (iv) developments and innovations in structural engineering (planning, analysis, design, construction, assembly, maintenance, repair and retrofitting of structures). Insights and Innovations in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation is particularly of interest to civil, structural, mechanical, marine and aerospace engineers. Researchers, developers, practitioners and academics in these disciplines will find the content useful. Short versions of the papers, intended to be concise but self-contained summaries of the full papers, are collected in the book, while the full versions of the papers are on the accompanying CD.