C R Clarke 911 Thermoforming Centre

<P>The C R Clarke Thermoforming Centre 911 performs several thermoforming functions on a number of thermoplastic materials:</P><P><TABLE><TR><TD><STRONG>Function</STRONG></TD><TD><STRONG>Materials</STRONG></TD></TR><TR><TD>Welding</TD><TD>Polypropylene, PVC, ABS</TD></TR><TR><TD>Vacuum forming</TD><TD>Polystyrene, extruded acrylic, PVC, ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dome blowing</TD><TD>Cast acrylic, PVC</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dip coating</TD><TD>Nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene</TD></TR><TR><TD>Injection moulding</TD><TD>Nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene</TD></TR><TR><TD>Extrusion</TD><TD>Polystyrene</TD></TR><TR><TD>Press forming</TD><TD>Cast acrylic, ABS, PVC </TD></TR></TABLE></P><P>All of these processes require heat and pressure, which are provided by the centre's ceramic heater system (except the welding torch which has its own heat source) and vacuum pump. The heaters are used to provide ambient heat in the temperature controlled, fan circulated oven or to provide radiant heat for the vacuum forming facility. The vacuum pump provides appropriate air pressures to the different functions when they are selected by the process selector switch (PSS) on the main control panel.</P><P>Each material has an optimum heating time depending on its form, heating characteristics and thickness and a digital set timer is incorporated on the main control panel to assist in achieving correct heating times.</P>