Creating Change With Manufacturing

Posted on: 11 October 2021

Plastic products have transformed the consumer industry. Many of the positive changes in plastic production can be attributed to the development of different types of synthetic plastics. One type of plastic that can be found across all industries and in a wide variety of settings is low-density polyethylene.

Commonly referred to as LDPE, this type of plastic is sent to manufacturing facilities in sheet form. The sheets can easily be shipped and stored without sustaining any serious damage.

Manufacturing companies are able to utilize a wide range of techniques to turn LDPE sheets into the products and components they require. Learn more about these manufacturing techniques to help you better appreciate the versatility of LDPE sheets.

1. Heat Forming

Heat forming is a manufacturing technique that can be used with a wide range of materials, including LDPE sheets. LDPE sheets are heated to a specified temperature during the heat forming process. Once the sheets have reached the right temperature, vacuum pressure is applied to form the LDPE sheets over a mold.

The heated LDPE sheets can also be injected into specialized molds as part of the heat forming process. Having the ability to pair LDPE sheets with thermoforming and other heat forming techniques makes it possible to manufacture intricate components using detailed molds.

2. Cutting

Cutting is another popular manufacturing technique that pairs well with LDPE sheets. In order for cutting processes involving LDPE sheets to be successful, manufacturers must utilize the right tools. The best option for cutting through LDPE sheets is a carbide saw blade.

Carbide saw blades are much more durable and reliable than their steel counterparts. It's critical that the cutting tools used when working with LDPE sheets are sharp and able to resist any thermal damage. Since carbide blades don't wear down easily, they remain sharp over a longer period of time.

The sharpness of the blade will determine how cleanly a manufacturer can cut LDPE sheets, which is why carbide saw blades are the cutting tool of choice for manufacturers who work with LDPE sheets on a regular basis.

3. Thermal Welding

When you think of manufacturing techniques that involve welding, you typically picture the joining of metal components. While metal welding is common, there are specialized welding techniques that can be used to join two plastic components together.

With high-frequency welding or radio-frequency welding, LDPE sheets can be transformed into end products that meet exact manufacturing specifications. Plastic welders utilize an electromagnetic field to join two plastic components together during high-frequency welding.

The high-frequency electric field produces heat that melts the LDPE sheets at the weld seam. Pressure is then applied to the two separate components, joining them together with a strong and durable bond. 

Other common plastic welding techniques used with LDPE sheets include friction welding and hot plate welding. These methods also join LDPE components together using heat, but the heat source is not an electrical field.

Friction welding utilizes friction to create the heat needed to soften LDPE components.

Hot plate welding uses a specialized heated metal plate that is placed against the LDPE components at the weld point. Pressure is applied to the plate, allowing the heat to melt the LDPE plastics and join the two components together.

The versatility and durability of LDPE sheets make them a popular choice for manufacturers looking to create components or consumer end-products from a synthetic plastic material.

Most of the traditional manufacturing techniques used regularly in manufacturing facilities can also be used to manipulate LDPE sheets into the size, shape, and form a manufacturer needs to complete their production process effectively.

If you have any questions, get more information from a manufacturer in your area.