Back to List

Formech HD686

First introduced in 2002, Formech’s HD range established a new price-performance ratio for automatic production class machines.

Series 2 advancements include ‘FCV’ (Formech Cycle View) control interface with 10” high resolution touch-screen.  Machine cycle status is clearly visible at a glance and all parameters can be adjusted in real time without interrupting the current cycle.

By working closely with HD customers all over the world Formech has developed an intuitive, graphically driven interface suitable for operators at all experience levels.  Remote access via Ethernet provides online monitoring of all machine functions.

Generous standard specification and an extensive range of options including twin heaters for the most demanding materials mark the HD Series 2 as a cost effective and highly adaptable machine range.

Apple Inc., Nestle and Cambridge University are amongst the first customers to benefit from Formech’s HD Series 2.

Download brochure

10" Colour HMI/PLC featuring Formech Cycle View (FCV)

Wago control system with 10" colour touch screen, real time adjustments, 1% heater increment control, Formech Cycle View and 40 preset memories.

Quartz Heaters with Variable Standby

Quartz heaters have the benefit of a rapid response and high efficiency resulting in time and energy savings.

16 Independently Controllable Heating Zones

Sixteen heating zones provide rapid heat response with a greater range of control to form challenging shapes and materials.

Pneumatic Heater Drive

Heavy duty pneumatically powered heater travel provides precise and rapid heater deployment, whilst braking prevents element damage.

Pneumatically Powered Clamping Frame

Pneumatically powered clamping system that provides powerful and effortless control.

Pneumatic Table with Regulator

Precise table speed control.

Table Height Adjust

Table height adjust shortens the tool table travel when using shallow tools and reduces cycle time.

Pre-Stretch

Pre-stretch enables the user to pump air into the heated sheet, creating a bubble to avoid thinning of material with deeper tools.

Auto-Level

Avoids material sag during the heating cycle and maintains an even distance between heater and sheet whilst providing the user with an audible indication the material is ready to form.

Vacuum Flow Regulator

Precisely regulates vacuum flow rate when a greater level of control is required with demanding applications.

Vacuum Receiver Tank

A vacuum tank that provides instant stored vacuum, for high demanding materials and shortening cycle times.

Vacuum & Pressure Gauges

A visual indication of consistent vacuum and pressure being applied (pressure in Hg / bar).

Safety Light Curtain

Protects users from accidental injury by halting all mechanical actions when light curtain is broken.

Twin Cooling Fan System

Overhead gantry and twin 550W fans to cool formed material and shorten cycles times.

Oil filled rotary vane pump 21m3 / hr

Forming area (mm/inches)

647 x 622mm / 25.5 x 24.5" 

Sheet Size (mm/inches)

686 x 660mm / 27 x 26" 

Max depth of draw

350mm / 13.8" 

Max Material Thickness

6mm / 0.25" 

Heating Zones

16 

Heater type

Quartz 

Width

1553mm / 61.1" 

Height

2600mm / 102.4" (with plug assist) 

Depth

2639mm / 103.9" 

Weight

750kg / 1653lbs 

Single Phase Power Requirements

N/A 

Europe - 3 Phase Power Requirements

380-415V / 32A 

USA - 3 Phase Power Requirements

208-220V /40A 

Power Consumption

11.0kW 

Air Requirements

80 PSI / 5 bar 

Reducing Windows

Reduces forming area to utilise smaller sheets of material and minimise wastage. Standard or custom size.

Plug Assist with Speed Regulator

Pneumatically powered plug assist forces the heated material into the tool cavities to increase the thickness of material at the bottom of the cavities.

Reel Feed

Assembly to hold reel materials.

Spray Mist

Spray mist is combined with cooling fan systems (when fitted) to shorten cooling time.

Cooling Bolster

A water cooled plate to directly cool and regulate aluminium tool temperature for consistent and faster cycle times.

Heating Pyrometer

Sensor to provide accurate sheet temperature feedback and send heaters back upon reaching target temperature (except on the 686 and 1372 where it gives a digital readout). Emergency air storage tank supplies cooling continuity on shut-down to protect pyrometer.

Cooling Pyrometer

Sensor to provide accurate sheet temperature feedback and initiate mould release upon reaching target temperature.

Upgrade 26 zones

Cooling System Upgrade

Additional cooling power that cools formed material and reduces cycle times and cool.

Twin Heater Upgrade

Top and bottom heaters to form demanding materials and decrease cycle times (16 zones top heater, 10 zones bottom heater).

Ceramic Heaters

Ceramic heaters are well suited for high volume production when heaters are engaged for long periods and constant temperature must be maintained.

Servo Plug Assist

Instead of using pneumatics a servo plug assist provides variable positioning and damping of the plug descent for precise control.

Servo Table

This feature has the same accuracy and control as the servo electric plug assist where speed control assent and descent to the millimetre can be achieved consistently.

Multi User Pin Access Control

The supervisor of the machine can choose and determine a level of access for the different operators.

Material Registration and Puncher

This is a device that punches holes in thin pre-printed plastic sheet when registration during the vacuum forming process is critical. The punched sheets are located over pins in the forming area.

Spare parts kit

A consumable parts kit typically including seals, elements, filter, fuses, toggle clamps.