In the vacuum forming process, the plastic sheet is first heated to near the softening point, and then placed above the mold. The surface of the mold has grooves or protrusions corresponding to the desired tray shape. Next, the air between the mold and the sheet is extracted by a vacuum pump to make the sheet tightly adhere to the surface of the mold. Under the action of vacuum, the sheet is stretched and bent according to the shape of the mold, forming the desired tray shape. Finally, after cooling and shaping, the sheet solidifies into tray products.
2、 Characteristics
Vacuum formed trays have various significant characteristics that make them competitive in the market:
Lightweight and durable: Vacuum formed trays are made of lightweight plastic materials, which have excellent durability and load-bearing capacity. This enables the pallet to easily carry heavy objects during transportation and storage, while reducing the burden on the environment.
Easy to process and shape: Through vacuum thermoforming technology, it is possible to easily produce trays of various complex shapes and sizes. This enables the tray to meet the needs of different industries and applications, such as packaging, logistics, medical, etc.
Low cost: Compared to other molding processes, the production cost of vacuum formed trays is lower. This is mainly due to the low cost of plastic materials and the high efficiency of vacuum thermoforming technology. In addition, the production cycle of pallets is short and can quickly respond to market demand.
Environmentally friendly and recyclable: The plastic materials used are mostly recyclable and meet environmental requirements. The tray can be recycled after use, reducing environmental pollution.
High transparency: Some trays made of plastic materials have high transparency, which can clearly display the appearance and condition of the items inside the tray. This is beneficial for consumers to make wise choices when making purchases.
3、 Application
Vacuum formed trays are widely used in various fields due to their unique performance characteristics
Packaging industry: commonly used for inner packaging of electronic components, precision instruments, food and other products. The tray can protect products from damage while providing stable support and fixing functions. In addition, trays can also serve as display and showcase tools for products, enhancing their attractiveness and market competitiveness.
Logistics warehousing: Used as a pallet, it can carry heavier items and improve logistics efficiency. Pallets can be conveniently stacked and transported, reducing damage and loss of goods during transportation. In addition, pallets can also serve as classification and identification tools for goods, facilitating management and tracking.
Medical industry: trays or containers used for making medical equipment. Trays can meet the special needs of the medical industry, such as sterility and contamination prevention. In addition, trays can also serve as collection and storage tools for medical waste, ensuring safe disposal of medical waste.
Advertising display: Vacuum formed trays can also be used in the field of advertising display. The tray can be customized into various shapes and sizes for displaying products, posters, or other promotional materials. Its unique design and color can attract consumers' attention and improve advertising effectiveness.
Home and Office: Vacuum formed trays are commonly used for storing and organizing items in both home and office settings. A tray can be placed on a desktop, floor, or wall for storing books, stationery, miscellaneous items, and other items. Its lightweight and easy to clean characteristics make the tray an ideal choice for both home and office spaces.
4、 Maintenance and upkeep
In order to ensure the performance and extend the service life of vacuum formed trays, regular maintenance and upkeep are required:
Cleaning and maintenance: Regularly clean the surface of the tray to remove dust, stains, and other pollutants. You can use a soft damp cloth to wipe the surface of the tray, avoiding the use of hard objects or corrosive cleaning agents. For areas that are difficult to clean, professional cleaning agents or high-pressure water guns can be used for cleaning. After cleaning, the tray should be dried and placed in a well ventilated environment.
Avoid heavy pressure: During use, avoid placing heavy objects directly on the edge or corner of the tray. Heavy objects may cause deformation or damage to the tray. If heavy objects need to be carried, ensure that the pallet has sufficient load-bearing capacity and evenly distributes the weight.
Storage management: Store the tray in a dry and well ventilated environment, avoiding direct sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, and other adverse conditions. Long term unused trays should be properly packaged and stored in a cool place. In addition, the tray should be avoided from being exposed to harmful substances or corrosive environments.
Regular inspection: Regularly check the integrity of the tray, and if there are any problems such as damage or deformation, they should be repaired or replaced in a timely manner. For frequently used trays, more attention should be paid to their usage and wear and tear.
5、 Development Trends
With the advancement of technology and changes in market demand, vacuum formed trays are developing in the following directions:
Environmental Protection: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, more and more tray manufacturers are using recyclable materials and environmentally friendly production processes. In the future, vacuum formed trays will be more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Intelligence: With the development of IoT technology, trays can integrate intelligent elements such as sensors and RFID to achieve tracking, management, and automated operation of items. This will improve logistics efficiency and supply chain transparency.
Multifunctionality: In order to meet the needs of different industries and applications, tray manufacturers will develop more tray products with special functions. For example, anti-static trays, high-temperature resistant trays, etc. These trays will have a wider range of applications and higher added value.
Customization: As consumers' demand for personalized products increases, tray manufacturers will provide more customized services. Consumers can customize the shape, size, color, etc. of the tray according to their own needs and preferences. This will improve the applicability and market competitiveness of the pallet.
