Thermoforming

In this plastic molding process, sheets of rigid plastics are horizontally heated and sucked down into hollow one-piece tools.  This consists of heating thermoplastic sheet to a formable plastic state and then applying air and/or mechanical assists to shape it to the contours of a mold. Air pressure may range from almost zero to several hundred psi. When the hot plastic solidifies; its shape conforms to that of the mold. Tooling costs are usually low and piece prices vary on the machinery.