Biography

• Born 1949.
• Mechanical engineer since 1973.
• Involved in Thermoforming since 1981.
• 1986 - 1997 Head of the Technical Processing Department at Adolf Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co / Heilbronn, Germany.
• Since 1997 Division Manager sheet-fed thermoforming machines at ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. GK Germany.

Abstract:

Temperature Control of Thermoforming Tools
In order to ensure constant product quality, the temperature of the forming tool must be maintained on a constant level, i.e. must be controlled, in addition to a constant material temperature and a reproducible movement sequencing.
Water is used for temperature control in most thermoforming tools.
During the cooling time the heat is dissipated from the formed part into the forming tool, at least to a certain extent.
The heat from the forming tool can only be discharged to the water circuit if there is sufficient contact area in the forming tool to the water and at the same time if a sufficient amount of water can dissipate the heat. The contact area can be calculated. To make the amount of water available the water must be pumped by the pump of the temperature control device all through the complete water circuit via the tubing of the machine through the forming tool and through the respective connections.
Only when it is found that the available pump pressure is sufficient for the required amount of water to offset all pressure losses of the whole circuit, it is certain that the layout of the forming tool's temperature control circuit is good.
To ensure that the temperature control remains functional for a long time, the whole cooling circuit must be protected with respect to corrosion and deposit.