QS Group S.p.A.

The in-line thermoforming machines are dedicated to the production of Refrigerator Inner-Doors and Refrigerator Inner-Liners. The machines are available in various configurations depending on the Client's production requirements. All thermoformable materials used in the refrigerator sector, such as ABS, PS and HIPS can be processed on our systems.

Our in-line thermoforming machines are designed to meet the highest standards in quality and production. The systems are subdivided into different working stations to guarantee elevated productivity and process repeatability. Infeed of either sheet or coils is carried out in automatic mode and the handing of the material in the various work stations is carried out using "forward/reverse" gripper or chain conveyors.
The moulding station can use the various known forming technologies: with blow box "Bubble Blow Vacuum forming", with a balloon obtained by blowing air from the blowing box; with universal bell moulding "Snap-Back Vacuum Forming", with a balloon obtained by applying a vacuum from a universal bell; or with a nominal bell "Vacuum-Pressure Forming" using a particular combination of mechanical moulding, vacuum and pressure.

The single station thermoforming machines differ by required productivity, which can vary based on the material, the thickness to be processed and the level of automation.

VPF-T represents the new generation of in-line thermoforming machines for the production of refrigerator inner liners and inner doors. The acronym VPF-T, "Vacuum-Pressure Forming and Trimming", denotes the particular technology used by this machine, which combines vacuum and pressure with trimming operations during the forming phase.

The combined use of vacuum and pressure does not require the formation of the balloon and it also ensures a better distribution of the material resulting in a 20% decrease of sheet thickness. The low temperature required for the forming phase contributes as well to the reduction of cycle time and, as a consequence, to energy saving.

The trimming operations take place in the forming station and this ensures a greater accuracy (± 0.2mm) as well as a reduction of the floor shop space required by the machine.

In conclusion, the new QS Group patented technology allows an increase in productivity up to 310 cycles/hour with 1.2mm thick sheets, fully automatic mould changeover in 4 minutes, a decrease of raw material and energy consumption and reduction of floor space required up to 40%

The Thermoforming Division produces small, medium and large thermoforming moulds to mould thermoplastic materials. The moulds can be equipped with tools to improve and make the moulding phase easier, such as: dedicated reduction frames, plug assist, and both nominal and universal bells. The thermoformed moulds are produced based on the required thermoforming technology: vacuum or vacuum and pressure.

The thermoformed Inner-Door and Inner-Liner can be customized through the use of Punching Machines,  Trimming Machines or through the latest Laser cutting technology.

These machines can have either a "Stand Alone" configuration or an integration inside the "In Line" thermoforming machines. The machines can be equipped with either manual or automated loading/unloading of the thermoformed piece.

For each configuration of the thermoformed piece, there are various technical solutions available, which can be customized according to the processes, the space available and the requested productivity.