When determining the appropriate material thickness for thermoformed packaging, one needs to consider the trade offs between performance and cost. Typically, the thicker the plastic, the more expensive the package. Thus, many strive to use the thinnest ‘starting gauge’—that is, the thickness of the plastic sheet before its thermoformed into a package. This approach, however, can beckon impediments to the form, fit, and function of the packaging.
It is easier to build a house from scratch then renovate an existing model. By understanding four fundamentals of the thermoforming process, packaging can be designed with a strong foundation, saving time and money.
Dordan is a custom packaging thermoformer, so all pricing is based on specific project requirements. That being said, there are shared pricing indicators implicit in all medical packaging quotes. These include package size, material type and thickness, order quantity, tooling, quality control, and production environment requirements (cleanroom vs. standard). The below content is available via PDF download.
I sat down with the Manufacturing Alliance Podcast creator and producer, Tony Demakis, to discuss sustainable packaging in an hour-long podcast that aired last month. Topics covered include life cycle analysis, the New Plastics Economy, ocean trash, and more.
Every year, I put together a 'best of' list that recognizes the content which was most interesting to our followers. Scored by opens, views, clicks, and more, below is Dordan's most popular content.
Plastics in Packaging magazine published my new article on the history of thermoform tooling in its 20th Anniversary Special Supplement. This supplement is not available online for free, but I received permission from the editor to post my article here. Continue below to learn how thermoformed packaging was manufactured before machines and computers talked to each other.
All engineers understand that designing a package is one thing, and manufacturing it is another. By enlisting a thermoformer that has in house packaging engineers, product manufacturers can share, or completely outsource, the responsibility of developing the thermoform package to those highly-skilled in design-for-manufacturing methodologies. In doing so, timelines are condensed and unforeseen costs mitigated, because thermoforming engineers are able integrate the challenges and opportunities inherent in the manufacturing process into the packaging developmental process.
On Tuesday, August 30th, Dordan joined four other women-owned or operated manufacturing companies at a round table discussion with Congress Representative, Lauren Underwood, and USTR Ambassador, Katherine Tai.
The super tall guy to my left is Julian, my NEPHEW. This picture was taken at MDM in CA a few weeks back. He just moved into sales after working in QC, prior to which, he spent a few years in the plant learning the nitty-gritty of thermoforming. It's official: I'm old (-ish). 😏
Easily digest our whole website with these bite-sized servings. The tasting menu includes:
→Company history, 1962-present
→Package design/engineering, tooling, and thermoforming capabilities
→ISO 9001:2015 certified QMS with ISO Class 8 certified cleanroom
→Facility overview and process flow
The menu is available for download here. *Vegan and Gluten-free substitutions available.