Brown's Tooling Innovations Provide Maximum Product Output Without Compromising Cycle Time or Product Quality


With the continued demand for greater product volume at lower unit costs, Brown Machine has responded by providing thermoforming equipment with larger mold sizes. Tooling today has to be capable to meet these production challenges without compromising product quality, cycle time and quick change functions.

A recent new machine specification required the output of over 250,000 hot drink lids per hour. Brown's solution is a B-5060 Thermoforming System; a complete pellet-to-product system configuration that integrates material blending, sheet extrusion, thermoforming, product trimming, tooling, and granulation. Brown's tooling solution required a 132 cavity mold base and pressure box. The design of this mold incorporates optimal amounts of vacuum, air pressure and water cooling to insure every product formed within the mold is consistent. Quick change features not only incorporate easy removal of the complete mold but of individual inserts and plug assists as well. Added to this is the ability to produce multiple sizes of lids simultaneously within each formed shot.

To operate the trim press in a controlled production window, a 44-out die set is engineered for the trim phase. The trim assembly is a progressive trim application- which means the press is pre-punching four rows, and perimeter trimming four rows, all at the same time. In other words, 8 rows of precise trimming are happening during every trim cycle at over 90 cycles per minute. The trim tool is side-loadable in the precision-guided Brown servo trim press, and incorporates features for automated product handling. The expanded moving platen height supports and prevents flexing of the tall die-set.

As a total solution provider, Brown is "more than machines." With a thorough understanding of a customer's ultimate goals, Brown can configure and integrate the appropriate equipment, tooling and process solution. Brown sales and tooling engineers understand the requirements, and will design a solution without compromising the process.

Brown Machine LLC, Beaverton, MI, is a global leader of thermoforming technologies, and engineers and manufactures a complete line of continuous and cut-sheet thermoforming equipment and related tooling/peripheral equipment. Brown has designed and developed numerous thermoforming innovations over the last 55 years and has machines operating in over 65 countries worldwide.

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