The automatic pressure forming machines type tfm use reel fed material and are best suited for large scale production of disposable containers and packaging items. The machines can handle combined forming and punching moulds.
Sheet transport : .
Guided spiked chains carry the sheet material through the machine. The chain rails are placed in a water cooled jacked throughout the heating zone. The chain indexing is by ac motor and drive. The width of sheet material the chain rails can transport is infinitely adjustable by turning hand wheel.
Forming station:
The forming station is of robust construction guided in bushes and driven by cam drive. The forming station is designed to accommodate tools with combined forming and punching with water cooling. It has a plug assist drive on the top and ejector at bottom of the table. The forming station is designed for easy tool changing.
The cam is mounted on special housing which allow the operator to turn off cutting stroke when required. The cutting depth can be adjusted by operator during operation.
Heating system:
The heater elements are of ceramic infrared type and mounted on special reflectors. The heater temperature control is through digital temperature controller or through plc.
Trim winder:
The trim of sheet after the forming station moves to the scrap winder, where it is wound neatly to facilitate easy removal of trim.
Control panel:
Entire sequence of machine operation is controlled by programmable logic controller. The cam shaft is coupled to encoder which gives continuous feedback to the plc regarding cam movement. The values set can be stored in the plc and can be recalled when needed. Pressure for forming, ejection, etc. Can be individually adjusted as required. Heater elements are divided into zones controlled by digital temperature controllers or by plc.
Apart from above features the plc also detects any undue delay in sheet advance, plug mm-ement. Or cases like overloading of cam drive motor, unwinding motor and in such cases the heater automatically moves back and is switched off. This prevents sheet material from excessive heating.
Tooling :
Tooling is combined forming and punching mould. Multi row moulds can be used on the machine. Same mould can be used for different article depth by changing ejectors. Complete toolings are made in cnc machining centres.
