Tray and lid projects get mis-quoted as cup machines, or as “a thermoformer” with no pressure class. Match the process to the geometry first.
Two machines, two jobs
| Vacuum (negative) | Positive and negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Lids, shallow trays, light texture | Deeper boxes, sharp detail, defined rims |
| Model | Negative-pressure vacuum | Positive-negative pressure |
| Sheet | 0.15–2.0 mm, feed accuracy ±0.15 mm | |
| Typical platen | 780 × 560 mm, depth 120 mm on the series page | |
Drinking cups with a rolled rim still belong on a cup machine, not on a tray former. Cooling-tower infill is a third family under cooling-tower machines and should not be forced onto a food-tray tool.
Worked split — one plant, two SKUs
A 15 mm PP lid at 0.4 mm can run vacuum. A 70 mm clamshell with a sharp hinge and a logo in the wall needs pressure forming, or the logo washes out. Quote them as two tools, even if one extruder feeds both. Sheet width still has to match the PP/PS extruder.
Send a part, not a process name
- Photo or drawing with depth and smallest radius
- Resin and thickness
- Cavities you need per stroke
- Whether a logo or grain must be sharp
- Inline cut, or a separate cutter
Frequently asked questions
When is vacuum alone enough?
Shallow lids, simple trays, and low draw ratios in PP or PS. If the corner radius is generous and the texture is light, start with the negative-pressure machine.
When do I need positive and negative pressure?
Deep food boxes, defined rims, and surfaces that must match the mold face. Pressure pushes the sheet; vacuum only pulls it.
What sheet thickness do these machines take?
0.15–2.0 mm on the multi-station pages, with feeding accuracy of ±0.15 mm. Cups that need a dedicated former are a different machine family.
Is forming area the same on both?
The published multi-station area is 780×560 mm and forming depth 120 mm unless a specific model code says otherwise. Confirm the page before you freeze cavity pitch.