Process	Thermoforming (Vacuum forming)
	Well suited for larger plastic parts since tools investments are low. Also used for high volume production of e.g. disposable cups and chocolate packaging. The surface facing the mould has the best quality. Material thickness is difficult to control. A sheet of thermoplastic material is heated to the softening point. The sheet is positioned over a mould with small air canals, and a vacuum pulls the sheet into the mould. Vacuum is normally sufficient due to the low strength in the material being formed, but for a more complex geometry, additional air or mechanical pressure can be applied.
Danish Name	Termoformning (Vacuumformning)
Category	Mass conserving processes, Shaping plastics
Materials	Most thermoplastics
Typical products	Dolphin, bicycle trailer base part KimBox suitcase Appliance housing Disposable cups Commercial sign Shaped packaging Refrigerator inside panels
Competing processes	Rotation moulding Blow moulding Injection moulding
References	Bramstoft & Wassmann ApS Cretex A/S Helge Buch's Eftf. ApS
Price notes	Low tooling costs
Additional info	Difficult to produce small details.
Photo	Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
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