Thermoforming is a manufacturing process for thermoplastic sheet or film.
Specifically, it is more of a converting process, where plastic sheet or film is converted into a formed, finished part. The sheet or film is heated in an oven to its forming temperature, then stretched into or onto a mold and cooled.
Thermoforming differs from injection molding, blow molding and is primarily used in the manufacture of disposable cups, containers, lids, trays, blisters, clamshells, and other products. A thermoform machine can utilize vacuum only, or vacuum combined with air pressure, in the forming process.
