LRM Industries LLC (Rockledge, Fla.) has announced the launch of a new production line, custom designed for the patent-pending STF Sheetless ThermoForming technology, which was invented by LRM in 2007. The line produces large thermoformed parts on three to five trolleys in a circular track architecture, coating molten polymer directly onto onboard traditional thermoforming molds. These trolleys are computer controlled and all elements required for part molding are onboard. Premanufactured sheets are not required with the STF  process, allowing a significant savings in the production of large heavy-gauge parts, and very high productivity.

During the commercialization of this technology, LRM has demonstrated that "coating" the mold directly with a profiled extruded sheet allows the production of deep-draw products with minimum thinning. An array of polymers can be used, and all trim and finishing waste is recycled onsite for reuse in part production. Additionally, thermoplastic composite thermoformed parts and structures can be molded using long-fiber reinforcement.

The production line is designed to leverage the inherent advantages of going from thermoplastic resin directly to a large thermoformed part in one process cycle. LRM Industries is a joint venture company of NOVA Chemicals Inc. (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and Envirokare Tech Inc. (New York, N.Y.), established to commercialize TPF ThermoPlastic Flowforming technology.

Information: Visit www.lrmind.com.