Thermoforming
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Thermoforming Tech
Academy > Male VS
Female
Tooling is
referred to as either male or female. Male parts are formed on the mold and must be pulled off upon
removal. Female parts are formed in the mold and must be
taken out upon removal. Whether male or female, the mold
can be either above or below the sheet during forming.
Dimensional Control from Forming Process
Male
Mold dimensions are inside the
part, and can be precisely controlled. Non-Mold surface
dimensions are effected by material thickness.
Female
Mold dimensions are outside the
part, and can be precisely controlled.
Dimensional Control From Trimming Process
Male
Trim dimensions can be precisely controlled.
Female
Trim dimensions can be precisely controlled.
Part Appearance
Male
Higher gloss on outer surface;
No mold marks on outer surface; Sharp exterior detail and definition
is not possible;
Part exterior cannot be textured by the mold surface;
textured sheet stock can create desired finished part texture; draft required
on sides to facilitate part removal from mold;
in general, parts have a more rounded appearance, with soft
radii and limited surface detail.
Female
Higher gloss on inner surface;
mold marks may appear on outer surface, plug assist marks may appear
on inner surface;
sharp exterior detail is possible;
finished part texture can be created by texturing the mold surface;
textured sheet stock will not create desired finished part texture;
no draft required in most cases;
in general, parts have crisp exterior detail, and demonstrate cosmetic
features usually associated with injection molding.
Material Distribution
Male
Corners of finished part may be thicker;
pulling a bubble to pre-stretch material prior to contact
with the mold can improve material distribution.
Female
Bottom corners may be thin;
use of a pre-forming bubble, in conjunction with a heated plug assist
can improve material distribution.
Costs
Male
Least expensive form of tooling. Lends itself to multiple cavity applications.
Female
More expensive than male tooling. Approximately one tenth the cost of
injection molding tooling for a comparable part.
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