Thermoforming Line for Drinking Cups with IC-RDM 70K, ILLIG Single Source System

At Chinaplas, Shanghai, hall E1, stand A45, ILLIG will present a fully automated, state-of-the-art production line for drinking cups, completely from one source, April 25 to 28. In this thermoforming system where the individual machines are optimally synchronized the IC-RDM 70K automatic roll-fed machine serves as forming machine. Drinking cups, diameter 89.5 mm, are manufactured on this machine with a 14-up mold out of APET, forming area 680 mm x 300 mm. Current machines are equipped with the IC operating concept (ILLIG Intelligent Control Concept), so the high productivity of these servo driven thermoformers can be utilized easily, reliably and fast to the full extent. The trade fair machine is combined with the new, also servo driven SZA 73c stacking machine. Thanks to its modular design the stacking machine can be equipped with different discharge options. Automatic feed to downstream machines can also be realized with the new SZA 73c, here to a rimming machine to automatically form the lip roll of the drinking cups.

 

Machines of the RDM-K series are specifically designed for the economic production of cups out of thermoplastic materials in different shapes and sizes. Frequently the machines are also used as inline systems with pre-linked extruders, e.g. for large-volume production of drinking cups in quantities of millions. The ILLIG IC operating concept also supports the aspects relevant for large-volume production very effectively. Besides modules used for general process optimization, e.g. the self adaptive start-up (sas-up) during material or mold change, mainly IC modules are employed which ensure high productivity and reliability of a production line and at the same time help to minimize operation costs.

 

The new SZA 73c stacking machine is suitable for all tasks which so far were performed by three stacking systems: SE 73, SZA 73 and SZS 73. For this purpose the SZA 73c can be equipped variably with different discharge options. When the application changes the discharge system can be easily adjusted thanks to the modular design. The following variants are available: Infinitely per cage or counted per cage, counted in layers or counted in stacks. Existing molds can still be used. Due to the fact that now a servo drive is employed as well, sequencing of forming station and stacking unit can be optimally synchronized. Thermoforming systems where in the past the performance was limited by the stacking units can now achieve higher productivity with existing molds as well. The SZA 73c performance exceeds the performance of previous versions with speeds of up to 40 cycles per minute achieved with latch stacking and 33 cycles per minute with brush stacking.