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Optimization of Thermoforming

A polymer resin manufacturer needed to improve the processing robustness of their product in the hands of numerous customers with widely varying deep-draw thermoforming operations. We characterized the rheological behavior of the polymer under flow conditions typically used in thermoforming and utilized this information in a finite element simulation of a representative production process.

Our analysis revealed the importance of material behavior in the nonlinear stretching regime after the onset of nonuniform deformation just prior to ductile failure. Specific modifications of the polymer composition were recommended to widen the processing window and reduce rejects in manufacturing.


thermoforming simulation

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