Thermoforming

The thermoforming process involves heating up a sheet of thermoplastic material to a pliable forming temperature then mold to a specific shape (finish part).  SA Automotive has greatly improved the process over the years and is still doing so by continuously researching new materials, reducing cycle times (faster heating and cooling) and eliminating secondary steps by incorporating them in the thermoforming tool. SA Automotive thermoforming process expertise is in the following sub-processes:

• Vacuum forming (single sheet)
• Vacuum forming blow molding (twin sheets)
• Compression molding (single substrate)
• Compression molding composite (honeycomb core)

Typical thermoforming applications at SA Automotive are: package trays, cargo covers, trunk trim (cargo management), door panel components, seatbacks, headliners, acoustical aeroshields and load floors.