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| Processes > Drape Forming |
 Thermoplastic Process
Drape forming is a process by which a flat thermoplastic sheet is heated and stretched over a male mold. Because the sheet is heated and the mold is not, the lower temperature of the latter causes the sheet to begin cooling on contact thereby preventing the sheet from stretching and becoming too thin.
The Benefits
Along with vacuum forming, drape forming shares many advantages. There is a relatively short lead time between product development and production. Prototypes can be run on wood molds allowing for quick and inexpensive design adjustments. Production parts can accommodate comparatively inexpensive aluminum and epoxy molds. Unlike traditional injection molding, there are low tooling costs associated with drape forming and a fast turn-around time for tooling finished products. Drape forming renders excellent cost-savings on smaller production runs and Form-It's drape forming machinery can hold 4'X8' sheets and accommodates large part molds. Of benefit is the fact that vacuum thermoformed parts can often replace heavier, more costly metal parts and are particularly cost effective when dealing with thicker parts. Finally, a wide range of colours, textures and materials are available with thermoplastics making drape forming an excellent choice for a wide range of industries. From automotive to retail, drape forming provides plastic solutions that help others succeed. |
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