IN LINE THERMOFORMING MACHINE – TLI TYPE
The thermoforming machines of TLI type are suitable for the automatic in cycle processing of sheet thermoplastic materials for high produciotn rates, with thickness from 1 mm to 15 mm and breadth up to 1000 mm.
These machines are composed of the following statoins: one sheets loading, one pre-heating, one final heating, one forming and one moulded parts unloading. The translation of the material to the various working stations takes place through a transport unit made up by chains whose inner links are equipped with anchor bolts, which allow to reduce to the minimum the lateral scrap. These chains are driven by a brushless motor.
The presence of one heating station more, separated from the forming staion, make this tpype of machine particularly suitable for high productivity, because this station allows both to accelerate the working speed, especially with thick plastic materials, and to better heat the plastic material in the centre and therefore to obtain a better quality of the final product. Moreover these machines are equipped with empowered vacuum and proportional valves for the control of the pre-vacuum, the bubble and the detachment in the forming station, as well.
This type of machine is made only in one version, the electromechanic one.
The whole machine is controlled by a powerful PLC that manages all the automatisms and regulates the heating system of the machine, and by an high level operator panel by means of which it is possible to control and diagnose the whole machine and to set, display and store all the machine data, also while the machine is working. The control system can be connected via ethernet or modem to our office for the tele-assistance service.
These machines are equipped with an automatic sheets loader made of one or two carriage with horizontally pivoted base for the positioning of the sheet stack, of a pre-centring system, a double sheet separation system and a pick-up to lift each single sheet and to load it on the chain conveyor.
The heating of the plstic sheet is made by means of two heating panels for ecah heating station, placed like a sandwich, and made of electric heating elements, that are electronically controlled and diagnosticated one by one. Every heating elements is assembled inside a reflective parabola, which increases the irradiation on the plastic material and restricts the loss of heat. In case of emergency or in case of an eccessive deflection of the sheet, controlled by a safety photocell, the heating panels goes away from the sheet.
The up and down stroke of the moving plate system is compact type with powerful mandrel motors and drives: this technology allows both the elimination of the pit and a big range of regualtion.
The forming takes place through moulds, vacuum and an upper bell, provided with large breaking-prevent glass windows and with inner lightning, allows to effectuate the plastic material pre-stretching bubble through vacuum suction. Thanks to that, the lower caisson area results to be free so that the mould changing and all the maintenance operations become easier. It is also possible to adjust the bubble height and to activate the plug assit.
The mould changeover is executed from the bottom on the front side of the machine; for this operation it has been planned proper doors and a system (automatic upon request) to make the mould changing operations easier.
The moulded parts cooling takes place through electrofans and a low pressure compressed air system.
The basic machine can be completed with additional accessories, such as automatic loading and unloading devices for the mould changing or pressure forming with pre-nicking.
The application fields range from the household items (refrigerators liners and innerdoors) to the sanitary, automotive, suitcases, shaped panels, road signs, etc.
The advantages for the final user are many, the main ones are following:
- achievement of high productivity with use of one sole machine;
- saving in the manpower costs and reduced number of the people busy in controlling the whole line
- high quality of the final product;
- repeatability of the produced piece, assured by the efficient process control systems;
- short-time machine stoppage for tools changeover and start of new production;
- room saving, assured by the line compactness;
- energy saving;
- possibility to use materials of different colours and types;
- low-cost machine management;
- low maintenance impact: the maintenance is reduced to the minimum with short-time machine stoppage and low maintenance costs, the assembled components come from the major international brands and their dimensions are carefully considered so to assure the highest reliability;
- respect of the most severe safety standards: the safety requirements ot our machines are in compliance with the European rule EN12409 dated September 1999 concerning the thermoforming machinery
- simple and reliable operator/machine interfacing;
- possibility to expand the thermoforming machine by adding in-line cutting and punching stations.