polymer processes

thermoplastic sheets molded by placing sheets over mold and lowering + clamping over the mold and heating the sheet. the vacuum pump is switched on a thermoplastic is sucked into mold

thermoplastic sheets are molded into a shape but there is an additional mold that is pressed onto the surface of the thermoplastic sheet at the same time trapping the mold between two molds to give it more detail

smoothing and rolling process. heat pellets of thermoplastic so that they melt to dough consistency. extruded between a series of heated rollers making it stretched and thinner. cools on rollers and then cut into standard size sheets

thermoplastics are bent by electrically heated element

mold is coated with release agent and a layer of gel coat is applied to give the molding colour and prevent degradation from UV and hydrolysis. fiberglass matting is cut to size and laid over former. resin is brushed onto the matting and a small roller to push out air bubbles. repeated until thickness is correct

pour thermoplastics into hopper. granules are pulled through a chamber past electrical heaters melting the thermoplastic. hydraulic ram forces the screw thread forwards injecting the polymer into the mold. mold opens and ejector pins push molding out. excess is trimmed off

polymer fed into the hopper and Archimedean screw pulls polymer through heated section. melted polymer is extruded as a parison and air injected into the mold. forces the polymer around to the sides. polymer is allowed to cool for a few seconds. mold opens and product ejected

polymer powder/ granules are clamped and sealed. mold is transferred to an oven where it is heated to 260-370C. mold rotates sowly as polymer is heated coating the inside of the mold. cooled with fan or water

polymer is forces through a die to form the shape of the extrusion. polymer granules loaded into a hopper and Archimedean screw moves the polymers past heaters, softening it. hydraulic ram pushes polymer through steel dam determining the shape of extrusion. extrusion may be supported by rollers as it leaves.

thermoset plastic is inserted into pre heated molds. molds are colsed and hydraulic pressure is applied. pressure ensures polymer takes the shape of the mold. molds remain closed while cross linking takes place and thermoset cures. mold cured machine opens and product and excess is removed