Custom Thermoforming Applications You Can Rely On

Creating quality plastic molded components requires the right thermoforming technology. Joslyn Manufacturing’s engineering team will work with you to plan a forming process that:

Is labor- and material-efficient
Maintains consistency from piece to piece
Produces parts with the right dimensions, rigidity, features, texture and finish— that are also easy to integrate into a finished product
Satisfies end-users with affordable, durable plastic parts—manufactured with aesthetics in mind

Choose the Right Thermoforming Technology

Joslyn offers a range of thermoforming technologies—for both thin-gauge and heavy-gauge materials—including:

Tooling. All custom thermoforming projects begin with the right tooling. At Joslyn, we design and produce tooling in-house, which means:

Faster turnaround
Lower overall cost
Complete quality control from design to post-production

The right tooling depends on the material of your finished product. Prototype tooling may be made from wood, fiberglass or composites, which is easy and less costly to modify. Production tooling is typically crafted from aluminum, which ensures better consistency during long production runs.

Compared to tooling for injection molded parts, tools for thermoformed parts are simpler to update or redesign. Replaceable inserts in the mold offer flexibility so you can vary styling features or produce different models in a product line.

Vacuum forming. For the greatest flexibility in design and production of custom molded plastics, choose vacuum forming. During the vacuum forming process, a vacuum pulls thermoplastic material against a mold to create a contoured surface.

Compared to other plastic forming processes, vacuum forming offers:

Lower tooling costs
Cost-efficiency for smaller production runs
Ability to produce large, lightweight parts with thin walls

Pressure forming. When aesthetics and cosmetic appearance are critical, pressure forming is ideal. It’s a cost-efficient alternative to injection molding and produces plastic parts with crisper details and sharper features than vacuum forming.

Pressure forming uses both a vacuum to pull thermoplastic material into the cavity of a mold and positive air pressure to push it tightly against the surface. That extra pressure allows the plastic to pick up precise detailing.

Pressure forming is ideal for parts that require:

Textured finishes or smoother surfaces
Molded-in styling, such as logos, images and text
Defined edges and sharp corners
Undercuts, such as inverted lips or recessed features

Custom thermoforming requires a deep understanding of these and other plastic forming technologies. Joslyn offers that expertise along with decades of industry insights and a commitment to creating the quality product you envision. Contact us today.