Production & Automation

Trays for Automotation and Production

Thermoforming trays and workpiece carriers for production systems | Load carriers for robot handling | Thermoforming trays for automated production systems

Customized Thermoformed Trays According to Your Requirements

Thermoforming Trays Made of Plastic

Automation trays are used in modern production systems or assembly lines. The thermoforming trays and plastic workpiece carriers have functions and features that individually support your automation and processes.

Tiefziehtrays mit gelbem Farbstreifen
Tiefziehtray in schwarz
Schwarzes Tiefziehtray mit unterschiedlichen Formnestern
Tiefziehtray mit RAL-Farbtönen in blau und schwarz
Schwarzes Tiefziehtray
Schwarzes Tiefziehtray mit abgerundeten Ecken
Tiefziehtray aus Kunststoff mit grauem Farbstreifen

Project Process for Thermoformed Trays: From Inquiry to Order

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Inquiry

You configure your desired product in our configurator in the desired quantities, material and design.

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Review & Offer

We check your data for feasibility and implementation. Then we provide you with an offer within 24 hours. At the same time, we also make suggestions for the data creation of your deep-drawn part as well as useful sampling options.

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Data Approval

You approve our data for prototyping or the series tool.

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Tool & Sampling

We create your tool and send you series samples for approval.

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Series Production

After checking and approving the samples, we start manufacturing your deep-drawn parts.

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Shipping

After completion and thorough inspection by our QA team, we will send your series delivery on its way.

What are Thermoforming Trays for Production and Automation?

Thermoforming trays made of plastic are used for automated handling of your items in your production system. The aim is to automate production with the help of workpiece carriers.

Your products and workpieces can be conveyed automatically using thermoformed trays and workpiece carriers.

Thermoformed trays are usually designed for existing industrial systems. The outer contour, nests and stacking technology of the thermoformed packaging is individually adapted to the conveyor technology. Optical/mechanical coding and positioning elements (poka-yoke) on the workpiece carrier are used for machine handling. Tolerance ranges are defined based on your machine.

In doing so, formary takes into account how your products in the thermoformed packaging will be shipped, transported and stored later. What duration of use, stability, grip systems and mechanical properties of the plastic are required? ABS is often the perfect material for long-term reusable use.

Automated Handling with Thermoforming Trays in Production Lines

Many customers use thermoforming trays and workpiece carriers as assembly carriers along the entire flow production line.

Components are often transported in different processing stages in the same thermoforming tray. As the trays are loaded and unloaded by industrial robots, the tray and its nest shapes are adapted to the component phase and automation. With the help of stop points, poka-yoke elements or positioning cams, the gripper technology of the robot arm can precisely grip or insert sensitive components from the thermoformed plastic packaging. Robotics can also stack thermoforming trays and transport them further.

If the workpiece carrier is transported on various elements such as roller conveyors, conveyors and floor conveyors, it must fulfill various functions. The functionality, stacking technology, transport system and robotics of the system must therefore be taken into account when designing your tray. This is also used by formary to define the tolerance requirements for tool production.

Storage and Transportation of Parts with Thermoforming Trays

An optimized thermoforming tray concept enables automation from production to delivery.

After use in the assembly line, thermoforming trays can be repurposed as in-house carriers, circulation or shuttle packaging, as well as for storage. These benefits increase process efficiency and reduce costs:

  • Tray Concept: The thermoforming tray should be designed to accommodate as many components as possible, reducing unit and tooling costs during procurement. The same tray can vary in design and material thickness depending on the component.
  • Storage: Thermoforming packaging should minimize height, space, and surface area usage.
  • Transportation: The thermoforming tray should be adapted to fit the outer packaging or pallet for transportation, enabling the shortest possible throughput time.

Together, these requirements lead to a range of development possibilities. formary proactively assists various industries with fast and reliable development, testing, and implementation.

Advantages of Automation Trays

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Reliable Protection

with thermoforming trays to prevent damage and scratches on your components during transportation.

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Improved Manufacturing Process

Optimized process chains through automated transport along the industrial assembly line using thermoform packaging.

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Reusable Circulation System

Establish a reusable circulation system using thermoforming trays for your customers, suppliers, and company.

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Efficient Design

A design that is perfectly aligned with your automation processes.

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Industrial Robot Handling

With additional elements on the edge and bottom contours of the thermoforming trays.

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Automated Stacking & Unstacking

Achieve automated stacking and unstacking of thermoforming trays without jamming, using the correct stacking technique.

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Different Component Variants

Cover different component variants and production stages with universal nests in the thermoform packaging.

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Specific Material Properties

Utilize specific material properties through careful material selection for your thermoforming tray to automate your production.

Trays for Conveyor Belts/Industrial Robots

Trays for Automotive Assembly Lines

Trays for Electronics Assembly Lines

Trays for CNC Lathes

Trays for CNC Milling Machines

Trays for Laser Cutting Machines

Trays for Robotic Welding Systems

Trays for Welding Robots

Trays for Automated Screwdriving Systems

Trays for Adhesive and Sealing Systems

Trays for Automated Testing Systems

Trays for Optical Inspection Systems

Trays for Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines

Förderband mit Industrierobotern

Thermoforming Trays Offer Diverse Applications

Production systems are diverse and specialized, varying by industry and application to accommodate different processes. From machining centers to testing and inspection systems, automation trays are used across a wide range of sectors. In production and automation, plastic thermoforming trays provide numerous benefits and play a crucial role in assembly lines and industrial robots by ensuring:

Effortless Transportation                                                                     

Automated Handling

Protection

Stability

Optimized Production Processes

Learn more about the functions of thermoforming trays in the sections above.

How is my Thermoforming Tray Designed?

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Manufacturing Facility

When preparing for the commissioning of your system, there is often little time for a lengthy thermoforming tray development process. Therefore, formary gathers comprehensive information about your machine system during the design phase, including images, drawings, excerpts from the specifications, explanations of the transfer method, and details on tray stackers or palletizers. This ensures that the first design iteration provides an optimal overall concept for your thermoforming packaging.

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Robotics & Gripper Arms

Customers from various industries use grippers from different manufacturers and technologies. Nests are designed according to the sensitive areas of your component as well as the robotic arm being used. The precision of the robot during loading and unloading determines the spacing and arrangement of the nests.

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Coding & Product Identification

To ensure your machine recognizes your products and the tray, there are electronic and optical options: RFID chips, adhesive labels, binary coding strips in the tray frame, etc. The placement of labels and/or codes, as well as coding knobs, should be planned from the start so that formary can optimize the design accordingly.

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Handling & Positioning

To avoid collisions between the robot gripper during loading and unloading and ensure the sensor detects the components, the thermoforming tray offers various options. Surrounding grooves make it easier for the robot to grip, positioning pins lock the tray into place, and Poka Yoke corners align asymmetric components when feeding them into the palletizer.

Thermoforming Trays: Automating Processes in Production

Recessed Grips
Stacking
Service Life
Loading Aids
Text & Symbols

A Final Touch for Your Thermoforming Tray

Material for Your Tray

Which kind of plastic is the right choice for your thermoforming tray to automate your processes? At formary, we have accumulated years of expertise and know-how in plastic technology. Here’s an overview to guide you in selecting the right material.

Do you still have questions about thermoforming trays? Arrange a consultation

Configure Plastic Trays. With formary.

Get your non-binding offer for your plastic tray today.

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