01How the process works
Sheet is clamped, heated by radiant heaters, formed over a male or into a female mould and cooled, then trimmed by CNC router or press. Plug assist helps distribute material in deep draws.
The sheet stretches unevenly, so corners and deep areas thin out. Wall thickness mapping, trim accuracy and surface quality on the show side are the main checks.
- Sheet. Material and thickness verified.
- Heating. Sheet heated evenly.
- Forming. Vacuum or pressure forming.
- Cooling. Part cools on the mould.
- Trimming. CNC trimming and inspection.
02What typically goes wrong
| Defect | Typical cause | How it is found |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive thinning | Draw ratio, heating | Wall thickness gauge |
| Webbing | Excess material, mould design | Visual |
| Incomplete detail | Low vacuum, low temperature | Visual |
| Trim errors | Fixture, program | Gauges, CMM |
| Surface marks | Mould condition, dust | Visual |
| Warpage | Cooling | Fixture check |
03Where an inspector should look
01
Before production
- Sheet certificate
- Mould and trim fixture approval
02
During production
- Heater profile
- Wall thickness sampling
03
After production
- Trim dimensions
- Surface inspection
- Packing protection
04Standards and references
Customer drawings and surface class definitions.
Standards are named for orientation. The applicable edition and acceptance criteria are those in your contract and specification.
05How we support buyers of thermoforming parts
Independent Quality ControlIncoming, in-process and final quality control performed independently at the supplier, with measured results and clear acceptance decisions.
First Article InspectionComplete verification of the first production part against every drawing and specification requirement before series release.