The thermoform tooling process can be quite complex and involves a number of technical steps that require precision parts and handling. It is critically important to choose the best materials for the job, as mistakes and sub-optimal performance can cost a company time, money, and resources.
One of the decisions that manufacturers must make is what material mold to use. Cheap materials, such as wood or wood composite, while they might be okay for a small, in-house project that’s meant to quickly test equipment, a more permanent solution is needed for most thermoforming needs. On the other hand, more expensive materials, such as steel injection molding, take more time to make and provide for less flexibility in the fabrication process.
Aluminum mold plates offer the best combination of cost savings and adaptability thanks to its ability to offer close tolerances, tight specifications, and sharp detail, as well as the relative ease of using it to produce parts of various sizes and shapes.
