Heat bending is one of the most common plastic fabrication techniques in the printing industry today. Precise Digital Printing is proud to provide value added services like plastic heat bending solutions, along with many other fabrication services to our clients. Knowing when and how to use a professional heat-bending service can differentiate between a successful manufacturing project and a costly disaster.
Heat bending is a manufacturing method used to bend a flat thermoplastic with the use of machines and heating to make the material temporarily more malleable than it is in its cool state.
There are many ways to bend plastic which can include convection ovens, radiant heating, but at Precise Digital Printing, we offer hot-wire heat bending. You don’t have to completely melt plastic to make it malleable. Hot-wire heat bending or sometimes referred to as strip heating or line bending is a focused line of heat that allows us to flex and form only a specific portion of the plastic such as bending the plastic in half or a specific angle.
Since thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, they can be modified with heat and once cool, the plastic holds its basic form with the new shape. With focused heat, thick rigid plastic materials can be folded in half (180 degrees) or bent to other angles using special cooling fixtures. Thermoplastics like acrylic, polystyrene, expanded PVC, PETG, and polycarbonate are just some of the materials we hot-wire heat bend. With so many different types of plastic and thicknesses, the heat bending process will vary. What ties all these materials together is that all plastics can be shaped with heat and hold that shape once cooled.
Heat bending printed graphics is a very common practice in the retail display industry. Rigid signage can be bent to be self-standing. Shelf talkers, aisle violators, header graphics and many other signage types can be heat bent to eliminate the need for additional hardware. Heat bending is one of the most common practices for fabricating plastic, and it comes with many benefits.
Below are some of the most notable advantages and disadvantages of the heat bending process for plastics to give you a better idea of how the process is used in industrial and commercial applications, as well as how it helps turn raw materials into various products.
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Finding the right professional heat bending services for your business needs can seem daunting; however, it’s important to remember that each company offering these services offers a unique set of advantages. Therefore, large and small businesses should think carefully about their individual needs to make an informed decision when selecting a service provider.
When searching for the right provider, consider their expertise in the field of heat bending and any specialized tools or equipment they may have access to. Additionally, inquire into their level of training and certifications—these are all critical aspects to keep in mind when vetting vendor options.
The ideal professional heat bending services will provide reliable results with quick turnaround times while keeping costs within reason—so be sure to look closely at collaborators’ pricing models and past performance before signing any contracts or agreements. Ultimately, considering each factor above will ensure that your business finds the most suitable choice that meets all its unique requirements.
The process of heat bending plastics has a lot of commercial and industrial applications. It’s by far the most efficient, affordable, and time-efficient way to bend plastic. The results you get through this manufacturing method are stable and repeatable, and without the need for molds or high setup costs.
Precise Digital Printing offers heat bending services for any purpose, from unprinted plastics but most notably for printed graphics. We use high-end machinery to work with thermoplastic materials, ensuring that you’re always getting the best product at the most affordable price. Therefore, when your business needs high-quality heat-bending services that will produce consistent results tailored to suit your requirements, call Precise Digital Printing!