Design of Mould Vacuum Thermoforming Machine using CNC Machine

Abstract

For effective learning, the teaching and learning process needs to be efficient and equipped with the right resources. The absence of certain components can often lead to inefficiencies in the teaching and learning process. The study's goal was to use CNC machining to create a mold for a vacuum thermoforming machine. This innovation's objective was to use Inventor software to produce a mold design utilizing a CNC milling machine, with a size target of 250 mm x 300 mm x 180 mm. The findings indicate that the two thermoforming machine molds at the POLIMAS plastic production lab were impressed by the exploration. One mold is made of aluminum (AA6061) from a CNC milling machine, and the other is constructed of PLA (Polylactic acid) that is printed using a 3D printer. In the production of this thermoplastic container, the mold design and production process play an important role in making a good container. The temperature difference used to identify the appropriate temperature to use in the thermoforming process. The temperature used starts from 160⁰c to 200⁰c. The result is a suitable temperature between 165-170 °C. The project's outcome demonstrates how engineering expertise was used to improve the teaching and learning process. Both students and professors would benefit from a greater understanding of the thermoforming process