MATERIALS | THERMOFORMING
Right: A medical cart cover won the top prize at the SPE
thermoforming division’s conference
assembly. Here, the goal was to take the current manufac- turing of interior/exterior vacuum-formed parts and provide value-added services which included the door assembly. The OEM was looking to decrease sub-assembly work to increase vehicle output. The door has four configu-
rations, while the car itself has three body styles – and four different colours can be used on each body style. Over 75 components are assembled to make the door assembly, including window glass, sliders, handles and metal frames. By working with the OEM to understand the manufacturing process – and using its expertise in fixture building, assembly, and inspection – the company developed a new door assembly cell. It created custom-built assembly platforms allowing one door to be assembled without the need to change fixtures. A Kanban system was implement- ed to provide customer flexibility with minimal warehouse space required. Other award winners included: a bucket seat made with a 3D-printed tool; a tray to hold automotive gears, made from heavy gauge sheet; and a ‘flip sink’ for camper vans.
Speedy work At K2025, Kiefel will present its Speedformer KTR 6.2 Speed tilting machine in a live demonstration. The company says that the model optimises
material consumption and line performance. At the show, it will produce cups from a range of materials including recycled PET. Various rPET materials were tested in advance, in collaboration with film partner Coexpan. At Kiefel’s booth, visitors will also learn about test results – and see how recyclability and high-quality design can be applied to cup production.
Kiefel will show its Speedformer KTR 6.2 Speed tilting machine in a live demo at K2025
The machine has several new features – with
patents pending – including: the SpeedGuard film guide; and the ProSpacing system, which ensures higher output even when handling varying product geometries. A digital twin of the machine can also be seen
(at the Siemens booth) to demonstrate the “practical advantages of holistic project support”, says Kiefel.
Live demos WM Thermoforming Machines will demonstrate two machines at K2025. The FX780 IM2, a steel rule die thermoformer,
will include an in-line AI vision inspection system for quality control, as well as the new DLifter – an in-line elevator for efficient product discharge. The line will product expanded PP (XPP) menu boxes, which are designed for “strength, insulation and branding flexibility”. At the same time, the Twist 700 is a tilting machine with electrical cams, running with the new MSvS stacker – which WM says provides “speed, precision and flexibility”. At the show, it will be producing R-PET transparent juice cups. In addition, WM will be showcasing updates to its user interface and machine software, devel- oped to simplify operation and increase overall process efficiency. It has also worked to integrate artificial intelligence into its systems “to support smarter, real-time decision-making directly on the production line”.
Sharp performance Suedpack plans to show a variety of products at Fachpack in September, including a range of recyclable thermoforming packs and trays. It will present solutions for packaging sausages, cheese or meat. The portfolio includes thermo- formable rigid and flexible films, peelable and multi-peel top webs from the PP and PE Pure-Line, as well as Peel PET floatable – a top web that can
IMAGE: KIEFEL 14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | September 2025
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: DALLAGER PHOTOGRAPHY
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