Press Releases

GN Thermoforming's New Dedicated Heater Platen

Delivers Faster Cycles, Greater Clarity

CHESTER , Nova Scotia , November 12, 2009 – A new tool-specific heater platen developed by GN Thermoforming Equipment provides higher output, better product clarity, and quicker tool changeovers for large-volume applications. It is the first of its kind for contact-heat, cut-in-place thermoforming machines, according to Jerome Romkey, GN Thermoforming marketing manager.

Depending on product design, the dedicated heater platen can reduce cycle time by 20% to 30%. In addition, greater product clarity is achieved and material distribution is more consistent due to the quicker forming times. The new platen system is designed to match a specific tool by pre-engineering heater and air channel locations within the platen to optimize the process.

“Instead of heating the whole plate, we're now heating dedicated areas; and the same goes for the forming air,” explained Romkey.

Each dedicated heater platen has a specific cut plate that matches the design of the tool cutting die layout. An air channel is located in the platen within 1 mm of where the cutting die touches the cutting plate, allowing a high volume of forming air to reach each cavity. The channel provides significantly more air volume than the 0.4-mm holes located within the die perimeter on a standard GN Thermoforming cut plate. A retrofittable locating feature on the mold carrier beam keeps the heater platen accurately lined up with the tool. An aluminum insert within the die perimeter is micro drilled for venting and anodized for durability. It provides more consistent heating and a clearer product.

With its new dedicated heater platen, GN Thermoforming has test run 16-mil- thick APET sheet at 26 cycles/min. for production of 40-mm-high product. This is significantly faster than the 20 cycles/min rate on a traditional GN thermoformer.

While the tool-specific heater platen adds $12,000-$18,000 per tool set, the investment can be easily recouped due to the high production efficiencies, according to the company. The new product is being used in North America for food packaging applications.

About GN Thermoforming Equipment

GN Thermoforming Equipment, based in Chester , Nova Scotia , is a leading manufacturer of servo-driven, roll-fed thermoforming machines for production of food packaging. The company's advanced machines combine the two critical steps of forming and cutting into one operation, resulting in excellent clarity and detail of the finished product. Innovative design combines the best of pressure forming and vacuum forming, resulting in high-output, energy-efficient systems that produce little waste and are simple to use. These machines are compact - typically requiring one-third the floor space of traditional machines - and are ideally suited to produce high-quality food packaging from a range of materials including OPS, PVC, HIPS, PET, and PP. More details are available at www.gnthermoforming.com

####

GN Thermoforming Launches DX Series For High-Output APET Plastic Packaging

(GN3021DX Video - NPE 2009)  

CHESTER , Nova Scotia , Sept. 14, 2009 – GN Thermoforming Equipment has introduced the GN DX series of thermoformers – a new line of servo-driven machines that provide significantly greater cutting capacity of APET sheet for plastic packaging applications. The GN 3021 DX (30 x 21 in. forming area) and GN 3625 DX (36 x 25 in forming area) models boast a more robust design with increased production capability.

The GN DX series helps processors meet the growing worldwide demand for APET packaging while also converting most other thermoformable grade sheet products, according to Jerome Romkey, GN marketing manager. “These new products will become the choice of customers who require a larger forming area and increased cutting capacity to provide maximum part production,” said Romkey.

The DX machines feature reinforced cast beams which provide increased rigidity for cutting APET materials. These thermoformers cut 50% more linear knife than standard GN machines. The GN 3021 DX handles sheet widths up to 815 mm and operates at 25 to 30 dry cycles/min. The servo-driven machine offers exceptional energy savings with power consumption of 7.5 kW/hr. At 12-ft long and 6-ft wide, the machine's footprint is small for its platen size, according to Romkey.

The GN 3625 DX handles sheet widths up to 965 mm and offers higher throughput, running up to 30 cycles/min. It too offers energy savings with power consumption of only 12 kW/hr. Both machines can run sheet thicknesses ranging from 0.15 mm to 1 mm.

The DX line also boasts a state-of-the-art transport system which helps reduce overall scrap to 12% to 14% (well below the industry standard), resulting in more parts per kilogram of material. Each machine comes with a built-in powered unwinder, an adjustable part stripping point for increased speed, easy vacuum hook-up, and an integrated diagnostic system which also allows technicians to monitor and troubleshoot from a remote location.

GN Thermoforming has already sold two GN 3021 DX models to companies in the Netherlands and Turkey for production of APET trays for fruit and chocolate products.

About GN Thermoforming Equipment

GN Thermoforming Equipment, based in Chester , Nova Scotia , is a leading global manufacturer of servo-driven, roll-fed thermoforming machines for production of plastic packaging. The company's advanced machines combine the two critical steps of forming and cutting into one operation, resulting in excellent clarity and detail of the finished product. Innovative design combines the best of pressure forming and vacuum forming, resulting in high-output, energy-efficient systems that produce little waste and are simple to use. These machines are compact - typically requiring one-third the floor space of traditional machines - and are ideally suited to produce high-quality food packaging from a range of materials including OPS, PVC, HIPS, PET, and PP. More details are available at www.gnthermoforming.com