Chapter 40Mold Making for Thermoforming in Packaging
Written in cooperation with Hubert Kittelmann, Marbach Werkzeugbau GmbH, Germany, and Jeroen Berns, Dexter Mould Technology BV, The Netherlands
The two most prominent mold technologies for thermoforming in packaging are match metal technology and the steel‐rule technology. Forming and cutting can be executed in one step or in two. These technologies can fulfil most requirements regarding thermoformed packaging (Figure 40.1).1
In today’s production molds, two requirements are very much important. Reduction of weight and extending service life. Weight reduction is accomplished by solid aluminum structures, which reduce weight up to more than 30% compared to former structures. This significantly relieves the drive of production machines. The temperature transfer speed of aluminum is seven times faster than steel. This considerably reduces the cooling time of product’s critical areas, and causes an increase in cycles and leads to more output.
Longer service life is provided with special powder metallurgical (PM) steel. Cutting parts made from metallurgical steel are equipped with outstandingly high durability. The use of metallurgical (PM) steel leads to extremely fast adaptation to temperature fluctuations and to a minimal wear of cutting edges. Even if abrasive material combinations can be processed, fewer revisions of the mold are required.2
Improved mold cooling is a key factor for reducing the cycle times. Especially the ...
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