Thermoforming 2012

Projectname:
Optimized forming of composite materials by a combination of thermoforming and deep drawing

Workgroup: Filling and packaging processes

Scientific Partners and Guidance:
Fraunhofer AVV, Mr. Andre Schult

Financing: IVLV
Duration: 2012

The scientific research on the field of deep drawing of carton boards has been making important progress in the area of multidimensional forming of nature fibre materials during the last 5 years. The current project is aimed at expanding the geometrical spectrum and industrial capabilities of those molds. This ability is granted by using composite materials composed of nature fibres and plastics.

The aim of the project will be achieved by a combination of deep drawing and thermoforming technology. Therefore, the fibre mechanics will be used for deep drawing, material compressing, and folding on convex wall areas. In the meantime, the plastic components will be melted due to the high tool temperatures. Afterwards the melting and compressed material can be formed pneumatically.

In this case, completely new geometries can be developed with nonlinear forming edges, undercuts, vertical walls and ambitious wall geometries. Until recently there have not been possibilities to form nature fibre composites with less than 50% plastics content. The IVLV project examines nature fibre composites such as different sorts of fibres, plastics and plastic percentage. In addition to this, there will be substitute tests to draw conclusions regarding the functionality of technology combination.

We are now in the process of clarifying and determining technical feasibility and containment definite parameters. Consequential, the potential of the technology will be estimated and a perspective for possible applications will be given.

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