Illig, system provider for thermoforming, will be demonstrating the production of a thermoformed liquid-tight tray with lid for the first time at Chinaplas, which takes place in Guangzhou from 16 to 19 May. This will be produced from transparent PP on an IC-RDK 80 automatic pressure moulding machine with a 12-cavity tray mould.
The tightly sealable „Take-away tray“ was developed by the Heilbronn-based company according to customer requirements from the Asian market. There, hot soups and meals are filled in restaurants and at mobile sales stands and taken away by customers. One such Cost-effective and safe transport solution for this purpose did not exist until now. The packaging specialists at Illig designed and implemented all stages of packaging development, from the initial idea to the selection of the material and the production of the mould. This also included their own application tests with regard to tightness and stackability (top load).
Thermoforming technology from Illig
Illig has worked with the Automatic compressed air moulding machines IC-RDK 54 and the IC-RDK 80, which is suitable for larger film widths, we have developed a forming and punching technology for outstanding moulded part quality and reproducibility of packaging materials. The machines offer high availability and are easy to operate. They shape the heated film using a pre-stretcher and compressed air and punch the moulded part out of the film in the same cycle. This procedure enables the production of moulded parts without punching offsets in the edge area and thus facilitates the automatic processing of packaging materials.
Complete production line for drinking cups at trade fair stand
Another exhibit is a Fully automated production line for the production of drinking cups from a single source. The moulding machine is a state-of-the-art IC-RDM 70K automatic roller moulding machine. With a moulding area of 680 mm x 300 mm, it produces drinking cups from APET using an 18-cavity mould. The SZA 73c modular stacking system is connected to the trade fair machine. This can be variably equipped with different outfeed options. If the application changes, the outfeed conveyor can be easily adapted thanks to the modular system.
Machines from the IC-RDM K series are also frequently used as inline systems with an upstream film extruder, for example for the large-scale production of drinking cups in quantities of millions. The ILLIG IC operating concept (ILLIG Intelligent Control Concept) supports the aspects relevant to large-scale production. It includes modules for general process optimisation as well as for ensuring high productivity and availability of the production line and minimising operating costs.
Leading IML-T technology
On the Chinaplas Illig continues to present the decorative and economic possibilities of the Inmould labelling in thermoforming (IML-T). IML-T systems are realised with so-called bucket machines from the RDM-K series. This decoration technology is also integrated into form, fill and seal systems (FSL systems). For this purpose, a IML unit The machine takes the blanks (labels) printed with the motif from a magazine and inserts them into the cavities of the mould in the forming station of the thermoformer. Each cavity can be individually loaded with labels so that a product change is quick and easy. When the film is subsequently moulded, the label bonds to the wall of the moulded part with precise contours and permanently. Illig is currently the world's only provider with an IML system (machine and mould technology) in thermoforming. There are now several systems on the market.
Cleantivity® - Cleanliness in mechanical engineering with high availability
Derived from the expertise of Hygiene in the Moulding, filling and locking systems (FFS lines), the machine manufacturer transfers the technology of cleanliness from the production process to its thermoforming machines, along with increased machine availability. Illig calls this concept Cleantivity® - a combination of the English words for cleanliness and productivity. The aim is to extend the operating, running and ultimately the quality time of the thermoforming machine in order to achieve a high line output of high-quality moulded parts.
