Products and Services

The HT-23 Series Horizontal Forming Machineprovides a versatile solution for the needs of theGeneral Vacuum Forming Industry. Designed tohandle most major thermoforming applications itincorporates many unique features to make it one ofthe most advanced machines available.

Individual machines can be built to specific customerrequirements.



All moulds datum to the front left corner of the machine, so it is easy for the operator to load plastic sheets into the clamp frame (3) that holds the sheet during the moulding process. The heaters (4) are mounted in two banks, top & bottom for dual sided heating. A pyrometer is fitted to the machine to monitor the actual sheet temperature during the heating process. The sheet is prevented from sagging under gravity by compressed air that is injected into the pressure cabinet (1) during the heating process. When the sheet has reached its forming temperature the heaters switch off & retract to the standby position. The mould enters the sheet by means of the hydraulically operated table (if required the plastic can be pre-stretched to form a bubble by means of compressed air). The mould enters the plastic sheet and the vacuum is automatically applied. When required the electrically driven plug assist (6) enters the upper surface of the sheet to provide improved definition on the formed product. The fan frame (7) is mounted above the moulding area and carries the cooling fans (11). When the cooling cycle is completed the clamps open and the product can be removed. Operator safety is provided by the light guard (9).

The Armour clamping bars have been specially designed for ease of set-up and fast tool changes. Each clamping bar is comprised of two high precision aluminium extrusions, a fixed bar (1) and a hinging clamping bar (2), which is actuated via a series of pneumatic cylinders (3). The size of the forming aperture can be varied by moving the main sliding bar (4) and the adjustable bar (5). Both of these are mounted on linear guides (6), and slide on high precision rails (7), and are locked in position with a locking handle (8). The forming length is infinitely adjustable along the slide. The forming width requires loose pieces to make up any gap (9) between the two adjustable bars.



These can be easily fitted and are bolted in place using a steel brace. The aperture is sealed with the unique Armour sliding closing plates (10 & 11). The larger plate (10) is fixed to the main sliding bar and moves with it, covering the full width of the aperture, and (11) is made to suit the size of the mould. These plates can be made of high temperature plywood or aluminium. They seal automatically when the machine is operational by means of inflatable silicon seals that are fitted into the clamping bars.