PACKAGING THE SYNTAC ® RANGE
TRELLEBORG APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES
A New Generation of Thermoforming Plug Assist Materials for Food Packaging Applications
Manufacturers of food and beverage packaging need to ensure materials , machinery and processes support the creation of packaging that is both effective and meets required design aesthetics . Following feedback from customers , Trelleborg ’ s applied technologies operation has developed three new thermoforming plug assist materials to enable manufacturers to increase their productivity , reduce downtime and maintain the high product quality needed for food packaging .
Over a six-month period , Trelleborg collaborated with several key manufactures of food packaging across Europe to develop new material formulations . With two PHD Chemists leading the development project , Trelleborg ’ s R & D team looked at the existing thermoforming plug assist technology , with the aim of enhancing the materials and their properties to meet customer requirements .
Zaki Akhtar , Product Development Manager , Trelleborg ’ s applied technologies operation in Rochdale , England , says : “ Our customers need a range of materials , each of which is designed for a specific plug assist application ; versatile materials that run at elevated temperatures , high strength materials that can easily produce deep draw end products , or materials that are tough and durable for multiple production runs . Customer feedback on our new range is excellent and we are really pleased to have achieved our original aim .”
Designed for general forming and costsensitive applications , Syntac ® CIS ( Core Industrial Solutions ) is suitable for use up to + 180 O C . With the option of additional pre-fitted customer specific inserts , the material can be polished to achieve an extremely smooth surface finish , making it perfect for everyday tooling applications .
In high-heat , high strength tooling applications , Syntac ® HTS ( High Temperature Solutions ) provides excellent material uniformity , whilst maintaining product quality . Suitable for use up to
Customer feedback on our new range is excellent and we are really pleased to have achieved our original aim .
+ 220 O C , the material offers excellent uniformity , maintaining hardness even at maximum temperature , to produce high clarity packaging .
Allowing for super-fine detailing with reduced breakage , Syntac ® STS ( Strong Tough Solutions ) is wear and abrasion resistant , providing high levels of repeatability whilst maintaining product quality . Suitable for use up to + 180 O C ,
Syntac ® STS is strong , tough , and durable with consistent performance , making it suitable for food packaging requiring a deeper draw ( mold ) and high clarity finish .
Trelleborg ’ s Syntac ® CIS and Syntac ® HTS materials are made from high-grade epoxy resin and hollow glass microspheres ( HGMS ), while Syntac ® STS uses a novel thermoset polymer matrix . Each of the new Syntac ® materials are available in sheet , bar and cast versions . Syntac ® is easy to machine and finish , offering a costeffective alternative to traditional aluminum materials .
The latest materials in the Syntac ® range are available as a castable system . By casting the plugs instead of machining , customers can reduce the amount of wasted material and save time by removing the need for CNC machining or outsourcing for those customers without access to in-house CNC-machining .
86 PECM Issue 48