Vacuum Molding Machine

The working principle of vacuum laminator

The working process of vacuum laminator generally includes the following steps:

• Heating the film: the film (usually PVC, PET, ABS and other plastic films) is heated to a soft state. The heating process is usually done by heating plate or heating tube.

• Film stretching and molding: When the film reaches the proper temperature, the film is stretched to the surface of the mold. At this point, the diaphragm is fixed to the equipment's clamping device by mechanical or pneumatic means.

• Vacuum Adsorption: The vacuum pump is activated to remove the air between the mold and the film, forming a strong vacuum suction. At this point, the film is tightly adhered to the surface of the mold. As the temperature gradually decreases, the film is cooled and molded.

• Cooling and demolding: After the molding is completed, the film cools down, the vacuum pump stops working, and the demolding device removes the molded film pieces from the mold.

The main equipment composition of vacuum laminating machine

Vacuum laminating machine usually consists of the following key parts:

• Heating system: The heating system is used to heat the film to the appropriate softening temperature. Infrared heating tubes, electric heating wires or hot air circulation systems are usually used to heat the film.

• Vacuum System: The vacuum system is the heart of the entire machine. A powerful vacuum pump is used to extract the air between the film and the mold, creating a vacuum environment that keeps the film close to the mold surface. The efficiency of the vacuum system directly affects the quality of the molding.

• Forming Die: The die is the key part used to determine the shape of the film to be formed. Molds are usually made of metal (e.g. aluminum or steel) and have good thermal conductivity to ensure uniform temperature distribution during the forming process.

• Pneumatic or mechanical devices: are used to hold the film in place, stretch the film, clamp the film sheet and operate the opening and closing of the mold. Pneumatic devices usually have high operating precision and are suitable for complex production requirements.

• Cooling system: The cooling system usually consists of both air and water cooling to reduce the temperature of the molded film to ensure that it can be cured and demolded quickly.

Control system: Modern vacuum laminators are usually equipped with digital control panels that can adjust parameters such as heating temperature, vacuum pressure, molding time, etc. to ensure precise control of the production process.