Industrial Association

AGORIA (BE), FEAMM (ES),

GKV (DE), GTMA (UK),

KC (AT), PVT (NL),

Industrial ParticipantsAccuform (CR)

Linecross (UK)

Sabert Europe (BE)

Missler software (FR)

Jacob Kunststoffe (DE)

Batelaan Kunststoffen (NL)

Midas (UK)

Decorchapa (ES)

Marcus Pammer (AU)

Unipa Kunststoffe (DE)

Haarlemse Modelm. (NE)

Omniform (BE)

Plasvina (ES)

Research and DevelopmentUniversity Stuttgart, TNO,

ASCAMM, CRIF, RAPRA,

AIMPLAS, PERA.

More information can be found at the website www.t-form.eu. This project is supported by funding under the 6th Research Framework

Programme of the European Union

Throughput-time reduction and First Time Right production for the thermoform

industry by introducing a predictive mould design and manufacturing system.

Summary

The T-ForM project will result in a technology to supply the thermoform industry with:

Design guidelines for thermoformed parts

A complete proposal for an ideal thermoforming mould design, based on, and connected to , a dedicated Production Simulation software tool by developing a predictive mould design software tool for thermoforming

Optimal thermoforming parameter settings coming from the developed predictive mould design software tool

Thermoforming

Mould design

Mould manufacturing

Simulation

Product design

Design guidelines

T-ForM module

Process settings

Supported by the European Commission, Six National Manufacturing Associations within Europe have joined forces to develop a predictive mould design software tool for thermoforming production

T-ForM is a new software platform being developed by the consortium that:

•Determines final component cost to manufacture.

•Specify sheet thickness

•Specify best tool material option and affect on cycle time

•Determine processing conditions

T-ForM operates in conjunction with T-Sim thermoforming simulation software and TopSolid CAD/CAM package.

It will allow the user to prepare existing component cad data for a mould tool by defining mould geometry, capping of component holes, carryout draft angle and radii analysis. In addition shrinkage compensation, extensions and product orientation in the sheet analysis can be made.

Once the component and tooling are defined thermoforming simulation can be made to predict final component thickness using improved prediction software modules.

Finally a production cost analysis tool is available to predict component cost.

In addition Design guidelines and training modules for thermoforming best practice will be available.