THERMOFORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN AN INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

摘要

A thermoforming method and apparatus for use in an injection molding machine for simultaneously performing the multiple functions of forming, cutting and molding of deep drawn injection molded parts. The thermoforming apparatus includes a forming tool (58) having a former assembly (62) on one side thereof and a heater assembly (64) on the opposite side thereof for thermoforming a printed substrate. The former assembly (62) includes a forming mold coupled to a vacuum source and housed within a pressure vessel. The heater assembly (64) includes heating elements for rapid on/off heating of the substrate, a temperature sensor for continuously monitoring the temperature of the substrate during heating, a pressure vessel coupled to a pressure source and a cooling vessel. The former assembly (62) and heater assembly (64) come together to engage a substrate therebetween.