In-line thermoforming machine

plastic filmtwin-sheetfor food packaging

The UK based company, Linpac Packaging provides rigid and flexible packaging solutions to customers around the world. They approached Ceramicx to design and build a new heating system that could integrate into their current machine. However, they wanted some ‘REAL’ energy savings and they did not want any undergo a large capital investment programme. Ceramicx designed and built the infrared furnace system for one of their thermoforming machines, an IRWIN 44 thermoformer. It featured both an upper and lower heating platen with PLC control. The oven has a total of 5 temperature sensors built into the system that can be selected individually or grouped for control purposes. Additionally, the heaters can be subdivided into as many as 114 separate zones, giving a wide range of control options. The oven is fitted with pneumatic cylinders, operated manually via two solenoid valves with the lower platen used as a counterweight. The heating system is vastly superior to those in use. An independent study was conducted by Dr. Robin Kent of Tangram Technology Ltd. that made direct comparisons between two thermoforming lines using identical tools, products, and cycle times. The Ceramicx heating system showed a decrease in the average power drawn from 56.16 to 32.85kW. This confirmed a 40% energy saving for Linpac.