Technological advancements have made thermoforming machines more efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly. They are also more versatile to produce small to large batches and allow for quicker tool changes. Meanwhile, environmental concerns are driving the next generation of thermoforming machines to come up with energy-efficient and sustainable solutions.

Enhanced efficiency with higher speed and cutting forces

For the production of polymer thermoformed packaging, Kiefel’s new SPEEDFORMER KMD 78.2 Premium steel rule cutting machine offers faster and greater precision than its previous version. New features have been incorporated to increase the efficiency in the production of trays, containers, hinged boxes, pallets, blisters, lids and technical applications products.

The machine is equipped with a bigger vacuum and forming air system along with more powerful servo-drives for the forming, punching, and cutting stations. This improved capability leads to a higher production speed, allowing up to 45 cycles/min and resulting in higher output.

Its servomotor drives for tables, plug assist, film transport and the stacking pusher provides optimum performance and process control. Together with its faster heater-bank response, it gives greater precision and efficiency throughout the production process, resulting in higher-quality products.

Higher production speed can be obtained with the machine’s updated, faster Pick&Place Inline, a dual stacking system that allows an existing up-stacking tool to be used. The Up-stacker also has an improved pusher servo-drive, while the ejector and A/B-ejector drive with servo-motors can be selected.

The new KMD 78.2 Premium offers a higher polymer packaging production output, reaching up to 45 cycles/min.

High productivity form fill seal machine for pharmaceuticals

For medical and pharmaceutical polyolefin bags, Kiefel has introduced a new generation of form fill seal machine SOLUTIONPERFORMER. Up to 6,000 infusion, parenteral nutrition or dialysis bags can be formed, filled and sealed fully automatically per hour on a single machine.

With the option of printing and checking static and variable data, products are labeled and 100% traceable. In addition, the filling area of the system is prepared for Cleaning in Place (CIP) and Sterilization in Place (SIP).

Moreover, particle reduction is maximized as the system is equipped with technologies including film cleaning, a special tube cutting process and frictionless film guiding.

Monitoring equipment including precision mass flow meters, optional residual oxygen content control and automatic sealing of the infusion, dialysis or nutrition bags are in place to ensure maximum output combined with constant quality monitoring.

Add-ons include track & trace, camera quality control and data transmission to mobile devices. Servo motors are used instead of pneumatic drives in all relevant stations to achieve both optimum process control and a reduction in compressed air consumption and therefore lower energy costs per article produced.

Machine operation is simplified and guides the operator step-by-step through the tool change process in the event of product changes. Access rights for users are secured via user ID and password, and machine performance can be monitored at any time via the performance dashboard.

Updated user-friendly software for increased productivity

WM Thermoforming Machines has updated the model of its flagship steel rule cutting machine, the FX series. In particular, the FX 780 model features redesigned software in addition to its easy mold matching and increased efficiency, reliability and flexibility.

With an innovative design, the new model has a sturdy and durable construction which ensures stable and reliable operation over time, while state-of-the-art mechanical features enable outstanding thermoforming results.

Furthermore, molds can be interchanged and can be easily fitted with molds from other brands of machines without the need of major modification.

One of the key strengths lies in its enhanced software, improved through continuous customer feedback to be more intuitive and user-friendly.

Other features of the enhanced software include multi-user access, allowing users to log-in simultaneously into the operating system to consult all machine data.

In addition, graphics are available with data request functions on demand, with extended diagnostic functions and solutions, exploded views, technical diagrams and troubleshooting.

Flexible production with frequent tool changes

For flexible production of small to medium batch sizes with frequent tool changes, ILLIG has launched an entirely new sheet processing thermoforming machine, the UAF series.

Focusing on flexibility and reduced energy consumption, UAF features flexible clamping frames and integrated preheating and finish heating. A tool change on the UAF is possible in less than 30 minutes, and the UAF is available in four sizes for all standard sheet formats.

Special emphasis has been placed on an energy-efficient design: servo motors, regenerative drives, preheating and an efficient heating system all add up to reduced energy consumption and therefore lower energy costs per formed part.

The UAF is equipped with an automatic sheet loading system and an integrated preheating and finish heating system that realizes shorter cycle times and ensures an optimum forming process.

On the other hand, the UAg series is ideal for very short cycle times and maximum output as its fixed clamping frames enables the highest final vacuum levels to be achieved. Quick tool change can be carried out within 15 to 20 minutes with a package combining upper tool, clamping frame set and lower tool.

The UAg series covers forming areas from 270 x 170 mm to 2,450 x 1,450 mm with drawing depths of up to 700 mm. This means it is particularly suitable for formed parts in large batch sizes.

A tool change on the ILLIG sheet processing thermoforming machine UAF is possible in less than 30 minutes.

Sustainable packaging solutions for food products

ILLIG is expanding the range of applications of its XLU series with a newly developed lamination process for pulp packaging that achieves drawing ratios of up to 90 mm. This opens up new possibilities for the filling of dairy as well as food products such as fruits and vegetables.

The XLU series is a modularly designed machine concept, including the machine variants PLU (Pulp Lamination Unit), CLU (Cardboard Lamination Unit) and TLU (Tray Labeling Unit).

It consists of an innovative, digital matrix heating concept that enables the processing of very thin films (from 50 µm) to cups and trays made of pulp for the packaging of dairy and food products. The focus is on protecting the food against the ingress and egress of gas as well as against contamination.

As the parts are stretched without contact, there are no chill marks caused by pre-stretchers. Moreover, the steel rule die integrated in the tool enables a clean and reliable cut without fraying.