Meaning
Process of heating a plastic sheet to non-uniform temperatures across its surface allows for precise control over the flow and stretching of the material during the molding cycle. Applying temperature gradient thermoforming helps to optimize the wall thickness of deep-drawn parts by directing more material to the corners and edges. This technique is particularly useful when forming complex geometries from high-performance resins.
Sheet Heating
Multi-zone infrared heaters apply different levels of energy to specific areas of the polymer sheet. This selective heating creates regions of high and low viscosity across the sheet, with the hotter zones stretching more easily than the cooler zones.
Thickness Control
Material distribution is managed by ensuring that the regions of the sheet destined for the deepest parts of the mold are kept at a lower temperature, which prevents them from thinning excessively as they are drawn. This control improves the structural integrity of the final part.
Process Control
Continuous monitoring of the sheet temperature using infrared cameras is necessary to maintain the required temperature profile from cycle to cycle. Because ambient conditions and heater performance can vary, the system must adjust the power to individual heater zones in real time to prevent defects such as blowouts or localized thin spots.
