Formech - The perfect vacuümformmachines
What are vacuum forming machines?
Vacuum forming machines are widely used for the production of plastic parts and products. In the vacuum forming process, a thermoplastic sheet is heated until it becomes pliable. The sheet is then pulled over a mold and tightly drawn against the shape using vacuum, creating the desired model.
Typical materials used include ABS, HIPS, PETG, PVC, and polycarbonate. Each material offers unique properties such as impact resistance, transparency, or flexibility, making vacuum forming suitable for a wide range of applications. Examples include packaging, displays, medical devices, automotive parts, protective covers, and technical housings.
Thanks to relatively low costs and short setup times, vacuum forming is ideal for both prototyping and medium-sized production runs. With modern features such as precise heating control, pre-stretch, and automatic leveling, even complex and detailed plastic shapes can be produced efficiently and consistently.
Vacuum forming machines are used across various industries where customization and flexibility in plastic processing are important. In the packaging industry, for instance, they are used to produce blisters, trays, and protective packaging. In the medical sector, vacuum-formed parts are used for medical devices, orthopedic applications, and sterile packaging. The automotive industry uses vacuum forming technology for interior parts, upholstery, and technical components. Additionally, vacuum forming is widely used in advertising for displays, signage, and lightboxes, as well as in consumer product manufacturing for making household items, toys, and protective covers.
For more information and examples of the application of vacuum forming tools and machines, you can read this article.
Formech Machines
Formech offers a wide range of vacuum forming machines in various sizes and configurations. From small desktop vacuum formers to large semi-automatic machines used for big and versatile projects, you can find different Formech machines further down this page.
Customized Vacuum Forming Machine for You
Didn’t find the right machine for your needs? Vacuum forming machines can be customized according to your requirements. For an additional cost, Formech machines can be fully tailored to your specifications. The machines are modified based on one of Formech’s existing models to suit your needs. Would you like more information about this? Please send your inquiry by email to [email protected] or call us at +31 (0)186 600 880.
Who is Formech and what is the history of Formech?
Formech was founded in 1982 by a group of toy designers. It started with the creation of an affordable, versatile, and compact vacuum forming machine that produced high-quality molds using low-cost tooling. In the years that followed, the company expanded its machine range with the Formech 450 and 660, offering larger forming areas and improved detailing.
In 1985, following an excellent reception at the NPE trade show, Formech expanded into the United States and established Formech USA. By 1990, the company had strengthened its international presence with resellers in France and Italy. Formech further expanded into the industrial and educational sectors, with machines widely adopted in schools across the UK for plastics processing in design and technology classes.
In the late 1990s, Formech introduced its first touchscreen-controlled machines, and by 2000, it had entered the packaging sector.
With the introduction of quartz heaters in 2010 and ongoing innovations like the Formech Cycle View in 2013, Formech continued to enhance its machines, making them more energy-efficient and user-friendly.
Today, Formech has built a global network of offices and partners offering expert advice and support. Formech remains proud of its British design and manufacturing, with its vacuum forming machines exported worldwide.
Formech Desktop vacuumform machine - Formech DT series
Formech 300DT
The Formech 300DT is the smallest dekstop vacuum forming machine offerd by Formech. It is the perfect entry-level model, combining high functionality with a compact size and low weight.
Formech 450DT
The Formech 450DT is the medium sized desktop vacuum forming machine of Formech. The 450DT offers an perfect balance between durability and performance.
Formech 508DT
The Formech 508DT is a user-friendly desktop vacuum forming machine with the power and capability to form demanding shapes and materials.
Formech TF-series
Formech TF686
The Formech TF686 Combines fully automated vacuum forming with a compact size and small footprint. The TF686 is both powerful and space-saving.
Formech TF750
The Formech TF750 is Formech’s medium-sized industrial automated vacuum forming machine, designed to work with reel or sheet materials, combining substantial forming capabilities with a compact size and footprint.
Formech TF1050
The Formech TF1050 is Formech’s largest automated vacuum forming machine, designed for industrial, production, and packaging clients. The TF1050 offers the maximum combination of sheet and reel thermoforming options within a reasonably sized machine.
Formech HD-series
Formech HD686
The Formech HD686 is perfect for semi-automated production and industrial production lines for small to medium-sized items, offering a different sheet size than the HD750. Designed for a sheet size of 686x600mm, the HD686 has a maximum draw depth of 350mm and a maximum material thickness of 6mm.
Formech HD750
The Formech HD750 is designed for industrial thermoforming of small to medium-sized items and comes standard with high-quality features such as pneumatic clamping, table and heating drive with quartz elements, cooling system, vacuum tank, safety light curtain, remote connectivity, and a wide range of options.
Formech HD1000
The Formech HD1000 offers a large forming area for demanding and/or large items and fully utilizes semi-automated features to ease the process. With a range of high-quality features as standard, such as pneumatic clamping, table, heating drive with quartz elements, cooling system, vacuum tank, safety light curtain, and remote control, the HD1000 is a popular choice for industrial thermoforming production lines worldwide.
Formech HD1000 c-T
The Formech HD1000 c-T vacuum forming machine focuses on optimal heating control. The advanced top and bottom heating significantly reduces warm-up time and fully utilizes the forming capabilities. This allows for the production of more items in a shorter amount of time. Specifically developed for industrial applications and production environments where speed and efficiency are paramount, the HD1000c-T offers all the features necessary to significantly boost productivity.
Formech Series
Formech 686
The Formech 686 is equipped with a driven table and makes light work of most demanding applications. Pre-stretch ensures uniform material thickness for deep molds, while Auto-Level prevents sheet sagging. The Formech 686 is one of Formech’s most popular vacuum forming machines.
Formech 1250
The Formech 1250 is a vacuum forming machine particularly suited for R&D in the automotive and aerospace industries, sign and display applications, point-of-sale, film and theater set design, and large-format production.
Formech 1372
The Formech 1372 is a large-format vacuum forming machine for processing various types of thermoplastics. With its large size and the longest axis of 1330mm, this machine is highly popular among designers in film, TV, and theater productions, universities, automotive, R&D, prop making, hobby product manufacturing, and the concrete industry for molds.
Formech 1500
The Formech 1500 is designed for manufacturers who require a large forming area and high specifications while keeping cost efficiency in mind. Focused on industrial and commercial thermoforming applications such as R&D, large-format production, mass production, POS/point-of-sale products, sign and display manufacturing, film and theater set design, props, and much more. The Formech 1500 is versatile and ideal for a wide range of uses.
Formech 2440
The Formech 2440 is a large-format vacuum forming machine with a sheet size of 2440 x 1220 mm. The 2440 is designed to maximize efficiency and production for practical, large-format industrial thermoforming applications, offering ultra-fast response with energy-efficient quartz heaters and precise heat profiling with 48 zones. Four high-power fans provide rapid cooling to speed up cycle times.
Formech vacuum forming machines
Formech FMDH660
The Fomrech FMDH660 is ideal for test and pre-production applications. With its relatively low cost, compact size, and impressive forming capacity of 620 x 620 x 250 mm, this machine can process sheet material up to 10 mm thick. A unique feature is the manually operated dual heating zone, which effortlessly handles a wide range of materials and applications.
Formech IMD508
The Formech IMD508 is a powerful vacuum forming machine, designed for high performance and demanding production environments. With a forming area of 470 x 470 mm, a maximum draw depth of 300 mm, and the ability to process sheet material up to 6 mm thick, this machine offers impressive flexibility.
Formech Compac Mini
The Formech Compac Mini is the smallest vacuum forming machine in our range, with a forming area of 230 x 280 mm and a maximum draw depth of 130 mm. This compact machine is ideal for small-scale production of simple plastic models and molds made from thermoplastics. The Compac Mini processes sheet material such as ABS and HIPS up to a size of 250 x 300 mm and a maximum thickness of 4 mm.
Formech 508 FS
The Formech 508 FS is the smallest floor-standing vacuum forming machine in the range and a larger version of the 508DT. With a forming area of 482 x 432 x 290 mm, this machine offers significant advantages over the desktop models. The 508FS features advanced functions such as pre-stretch, auto-level (automatic height adjustment), and a more powerful airflow, making it ideal for demanding applications.
Plastic bending machines
Formech FLB 500
The FLB 500 is a plastic bending machine, designed for fast and efficient bending of plastic sheets up to 10 mm thick and 500 mm wide. For larger workpieces, there is the FLB 1000, with a bending width of 1000 mm. The FLB series combines easy operation with professional performance, making it ideal for precise and reliable bending applications.
Formech FLB 1000
The FLB 1000 is a plastic bending machine (line bender) that excels in ease of use and reliability. This plug-and-play machine is ideal for fast and precise bending of plastic sheets up to 10 mm thick and 1000 mm wide (500 mm for the FLB 500). The FLB series is professionally built and made from robust quality materials, making it perfectly suited for intensive use.
