Pressure Forming Pressure Forming

Pressure Forming

What is it?

PRESSURE FORMING is the method used to produce injection mould quality, high definition plastic component parts, housings and containers without the huge expesnse of tooling.

Formold is one of a few manufacturers in Europe with the expertise and equipment to perform PRESSURE FORMING. Formold has been supplying PRESSURE FORMINGS for the last decade into electronics, health, leisure and telecoms to name a few markets, and is recognised as the pioneer of the process in Europe.

Similar in principle to vacuum forming, PRESSURE FORMING shares the same advantages of low tooling costs and short lead times. For this reason it is ideally suited to short / medium production runs or for products in niche markets where product life cycles are dictated by design changes or technological updates.

For the manufacture of high volume plastic products, the use of injection moulding is most likely, but the investment in tooling is substantial with fairly long lead times. There is the further disadvantage in that tooling cannot easily be modified to take account of changes in the design of the product.

For low to medium volume plastic parts, our experience shows that product designers (who invariably have to take account of Marketing requirements) using PRESSURE FORMING, retain the advantages of injection moulding i.e. the visual crispness and detail of the part, the high quality of finish, colour control and so on - but for a fraction of the investment costs noted above. Modifications are easier and cheaper to achieve.

How does it differ to Vacuum Forming?

Many Vacuum Formers claim to Pressure Form but whilst the processes seem similar they are quite different.

One of the main advantages of Pressure Forming is the high definition you get with the forming.

This can sometimes be achieved with Vacuum Forming, but it is often be done by introducing considerable heat to the plastic in order to get it to form. Vacuum Formers often call this Heat Assisted.

This, by its nature, INDUCES STRESS into the product and could affect either its performance or its long term appearance.

There are many advantages to Pressure Forming.

Precise details and attractive appearance
Ideal for Start Up Production
Widest selection of Materials and Colours
Large sizes can be formed
High impact strength
Various finishes and cuts can be applied
Low Initial Investment

and no more expensive than Vacuum Forming

Pressure Forming Manual

If you would like acopy of our Pressure Forming Manual please fill in the Enquiry Form and e will get it to you by return. Enquiry Form