Thermoforming | machinery feature


Pressure’s on: advances in thermoforming technology


Thermoforming is often seen as the poor relation of plastics processing


techniques, but its efficiency and cost effectiveness are promoting its wider adoption. Lou Reade reports


While thermoforming often lags behind the big guns of plastic processing technologies like injection moulding and extrusion, its ability to make high quality products in an efficient way is seeing it being adopted more widely. One recent example was seen in a charity project.


The Ikea Foundation – in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and charity Better Shelter – has developed and tested a better home for refugee families, which relies on thermoformed panels. Swedish thermoformer Safeman produced the


panels for the plastic modular shelter using machinery supplied by Cannon of Italy. The project recently won the overall Grand Prize at the 2017 Beazley Design of the Year awards – as well as winning the Architecture category. Many textile or plastic shelters currently used in


refugee camps last no longer than six months, through the impact of sun, rain and wind. This leaves vulnerable families even more exposed to life in the camp, and presents a huge burden to aid agencies and governments. Better Shelter developed the prototypes and


specifications for the houses, which are put up in modules and can be delivered in flat packs – a well- known Ikea concept that simplifies transport. The houses are designed to be easily set up and


taken apart and are also easy to carry. A tubular steel structure – similar to that used for camping tents –


www.filmandsheet.com March 2017 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 23


supports modular panelling elements for the roof and walls. These panels, made by thermoforming rectangu- lar sheets of expanded TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), have high resistance to UV and rain. The lightweight panels are fixed to one another


through simple plastic buttons and, when installed, guarantee a certain degree of thermal insulation and tightness to light, wind and rain. Each house is fitted with a flexible solar power unit


that can power one lamp – and a USB port. This may sound odd, but many refugees rely on their mobile devices for communication. The prototypes of the shelter have been tested in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Iraq.


Swedish


thermoformer Safeman used thermoforming machinery


from Cannon to produce panels for a new


design of relief shelter


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