Thermoforming & Injection Molding for Refrigeration
Reliable refrigeration solutions. Experience accuracy, on-time delivery, and efficiency from an industry leader in custom plastic manufacturing.
Thermoforming & Injection Molding
Commercial refrigeration units are used throughout grocery stores and restaurants and include the open-top coolers, front-loading, freezers, and walk-in coolers. At Advanced Plastiforms, Inc our engineers work with these commercial refrigeration companies, developing customized plastic components through injection molding and thermoforming that blend the durability of frequently-used equipment with the ability to withstand cold temperatures. Above all, our components must meet the strict requirements of the FDA regarding food safety.
High-Quality Materials
Unlike many of the other plastic components, commercial refrigeration components are subjected to adverse conditions. Not only are they put through heavy use, but they are also exposed to constant frozen air, in the case of freezers, or cool, moist air in refrigerated units.
To ensure that the equipment and components are durable and functional, we offer a broad selection of long-lasting, high-quality plastics to manufacture the specific pieces you need. Our plastics can be made from ABS, Polyethylene, Acrylic, Styrene, and other materials that can then be customized further with special coatings or textures and even aesthetic customization such as silk screening and painting.
Custom Injection Molding for Commercial Refrigeration Components
Injection molding is a type of plastic manufacturing process that is used for its ability to combine accuracy, detail, and complete uniformity in accordance to the order specifications no matter how large the order is. To form plastic pieces this way, plastic pellets are heated to a liquid state and forcefully injected into a specially designed 3D mold. For pieces that are small, require high levels of detail, and vary in thickness throughout the piece, such as interior parts, knobs, and dials, injection molding is the best manufacturing method to achieve precision and accuracy.
Our 3D molds are cast from steel, aluminum or copper alloy in order to withstand the high-pressure liquid plastic injections, which makes the cost of tooling more expensive than thermoforming. However, the tooling is a one-time cost so for refrigeration components that will be re-ordered frequently or repeated order fulfillments, injection molding often delivers a low price per unit.
Thermoforming in Refrigeration
For larger plastic components, or for smaller, one-time orders, thermoforming is a faster, more cost-effective method of manufacturing plastics used in commercial refrigeration. Thermoforming is the process of heating large sheets of plastic and shaping it around a customized aluminum tool to create the detailing, curves, and angles needed to create an accurate design. At API, we have over 60,000 square feet dedicated to thermoforming and often work with plastic sheets as large as eight feet by nine feet, allowing us to meet nearly any design request.
In order to ensure the most accurate shape with the appropriate detailing and angles, we utilize three different methods, depending on the specifications of the product.
Vacuum forming
Vacuum forming suctions all the air from between the plastic and the tool, creating a tight fit against the mold. This method is faster and more cost-effective and delivers best results on large plastic sheets that don’t need detailing or sharp angles. Refrigerator shelving and the plastic liners are often made by vacuum forming.
Pressure forming
Pressure forming offers more precision to create sharp angles and more clearly defined features by blasting the plastic with highly pressurized air to press the plastic against the tool while a vacuum removes any air between the tool and plastic. Because the finished result is so clearly defined, this method works well when the plastic pieces needed are too large for injection molding.
Twin sheet forming
Twin-sheet forming, the most precise, labor-intensive method of thermoforming, is often used to manufacture tubing, plastic chutes, or pieces with separate internal components. Two pieces of plastic are fit to identical tools, then they are removed, and lined up and fused together. In order for the pieces to join perfectly, they must be formed in perfect alignment.
Contact API for Custom Injection Molding and Thermoforming for Farm and Construction Equipment
If you are seeking durable, long-lasting plastic components and parts for commercial refrigeration units, reach out to Advanced Plastiform, Inc. Our experienced team of designers, engineers, and manufacturers will work with you to determine the best method of manufacture for your components and help you create the perfect design for your needs. We proudly serve seven states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.
