Utilizing thermal imaging for non-destructive thermoformability assessment in vacuum-air pressure thermoforming of plastic-coated paperboards

Abstract. This study addressed the limitations of traditional post-production analyses in refining thermoforming operation by employing non-destructive, real-time thermal analysis, specifically employing thermal imaging. The focus was on assessing the thermoformability of plastic-coated paperboards, a recent area of interest in manufacturing. Three paperboards underwent vacuum and air pressure thermoforming, with continuous temperature monitoring. Findings revealed correlations between the temperature distributions, the thermal profiles, and the material shape formability. Direct analysis of the thermal images enabled accurate measurement of contact areas between the mold and material. Furthermore, temperature profiles were closely related to shape profiles, particularly concerning the depth, which might be due to exothermic response of the studied materials during the induced stretching process.