Touch Screen Operator Interface: Provides easy set-up and access to all machine functions.

Roll Support/Unwinding System: Auto lifting and auto unwinding roll system is capable of lifting 1,200 lbs and holding a film roll up to 40" in diameter. Roll holder chucks are available in 3" and 6". The unwinding system provides free flow material for the index advance process.

Pre-Heating Pliers system: A pre-heat device is applied on the edge of the film. This enables the spike chain to perforate heavy gauge material.

Index System: The index system is driven by a Brushless Servomotor, which ensures high speed and maximum precision using a high resistance double chain. The chain is water cooled to maintain the required temperatures. The chain guides are adjustable allowing the guides to be opened further apart for pre-stretching (this also reduces "bellying" during heating). Index is also adjustable. All adjustments are easily accessed through the operator interface touch screen.

Heating System: The heating system uses infrared rays (type HTS from Elstein), which provides quick heat-up and energy savings. The heater is 3 times larger than the forming area. During the operating cycle, the radiant panels maintain the advanced position that provides efficient heating from both top and bottom heaters. Temperature stability is maintained by an automatic tuning system, which uses thermocouple electronic sheets to provide high-precision temperature control. Also, to further maximize quality, warnings will appear on the interface screen when one or more elements are not functioning. When using a smaller forming area, the heaters can be adjusted in index direction to achive maximum quality, as when using the full mold size. This information can be stored within the PLC's memory to facilitate set up for similar products. The top and bottom heaters are independently retractable for easy maintenance and set up accessibility.

Forming Station: This station is made up of two mobile platforms moved by a re-circulating ball screw system activated by Brushless Servomotors for closure of upper and lower molds, assembled on a column. The plus-assist is located in the upper mold platform that it is also moved by a servomotor and re-circulating ball screw. The column rotates 180 (degrees). This provides easy change over for the mold and plug assist, which can be done outside of the machine with a quick and simple operation. The numerical check and the speed ramps will optimize the material distribution of the thermoformed pieces. In order to obtain the die cut on the mold, a strength intensifier operated by a servomotor, without using any hydraulic gear case, will provide the proper tonnage required. Others features include:

• Thermoforming with vacuum only program
• Combined vacuum and pressure thermoforming program
• Thermoforming system with negative on upper or lower platform program
• Independant plug-assists on upper platforms driven by motor program
• Mold-holder platforms with security mechanical lock program

Trim Press: The machine is equipped with a 4-Column Press. Two independent mobile platforms are activated by a re-circulating ball screw system, and a Brushless Servomotor with power intensifiers that enable high closing power. This system permits the use of regular Steel Rule Dies or forget Dies. The working pressure of the press is regulated by using an electronic checking system of the Brushless Servomotors providing maximum precision. This permits the control of the desired penetration of the cutting knife. The cutting press platform's return stroke can be regulated and recorded depending on the height of the thermoformed pieces. The press is easily synchronized with the thermoforming station as it is motorized using a re-circulating ball actuator. The cutting device heating plate is equipped with a motorized system that enables the cutting device to be regulated in transversal (Y) and rotational (X) directions without stopping the production cycle. This system can be controlled through the Touch Screen Operator interface.

Stacking System: The up/down stacking device is a standard feature: The down stacking device can be programmed to count the formed parts and extract them onto an adjoining conveyor. The up stacking device pushes the blisters into the platform. This is easily regulated and can be aligned with the trim press index through a re-circulating ball screw actuator "X" positioning. This mechanism is operated by 3 Brushless Servomotors. This system allows for better control of strokes and speed, which can also be stored in the PLC.

Scrap Winder: The automatic scrap winder is driven by an electronic motor with tension control. The scrap reel can be unloaded through the pneumatic extraction system.

Cooling System: The cooling system is divided into 3 zones: the chain rails, upper/lower molds and the cutting press. This feature will ensure that the entire press does not heat up when using a heated die.

Vacuum/Pneumatic System: Controls for vacuum and pneumatic functions are located and protected in one frontal area for easy access. All tubing and air eject are piped to tooling.

Structure: Equipment structure is of heavy gauge steel tube construction. Safety doors can opened to provide easy access for machine maintenance and control operations.

Overview | Features | Specifications