Plastic is a versatile and economical material that can be used for many applications. Helton Inc. offers thermoforming as the choice method for manufacturing affordable, durable, aesthetically-pleasing plastic parts.
Thermoforming: The thermoforming process involves preheating a flat sheet of plastic, and then bringing it into contact with a mold, which shape it takes. This “forming” is accomplished by vacuum, pressure and/or mechanical force. Thermoforming offers close tolerances, tight specifications, and sharp detail.
Injection molding: Injection molding, a more expensive alternative for manufacturing plastic parts, involves the use of pellets or granules that are melted, injected into a mold, and then allowed to cool into the desired shape.
What’s the difference? Thermoforming offers some significant advantages over injection molding, including:
- Faster, more cost-efficient production on quantities up to 10,000
- Shorter lead time
- Faster and less costly tooling
- Superior production of thin-walled components
- Greater selection of patterns, finishes, and textures
- Forming of components as large as 6’ x 12’
