How Long to Change Thermoforming Machine Molds? 4-Step Quick Guide

Efficiency is critical when operating a thermoformer machine, especially when changing molds. Whether you’re producing food packaging boxes, trays, or something else, minimizing downtime during mold changes can significantly increase productivity. A common question in the industry is: How long does it take to change a mold on a thermoformer? The answer depends on your machine type, mold design, and operator expertise. However, with the right approach, mold changes can be completed quickly in just four simple steps.
Optimizing the mold change process is critical for companies using fully automated thermoformer molds. This guide will walk you through the best practices for reducing mold change time while maintaining safety and precision.

Step 1: Preparation and Safety Checks
Before removing the existing mold, make sure the machine is turned off and properly locked to prevent accidents. Prepare all necessary tools and the new product’s thermoformer mold to avoid delays. Inspect the new mold for any damage or misalignment that could affect production quality. Proper preparation can reduce mold change time by up to 30%.
Step 2: Remove the existing mold
Carefully loosen the clamping device and remove the existing mold to replace the new one. Hydraulic or pneumatic systems can usually simplify this step. Keep the workspace clean and tidy - misplaced bolts or parts can cause unnecessary delays.
Step 3: Install the new mold
Align the new mold accurately with the machine platen to avoid molding errors. Secure the mold using the recommended torque setting to prevent shifting during operation. Advanced thermoformers may be equipped with a quick clamping system to further speed up molding.

Step 4: Test and calibrate
Before full production, run a test cycle to ensure correct molding. Adjust temperature, pressure and time settings if necessary. Well-calibrated, reliable thermoformer molds ensure consistent product quality and reduce material waste.
In fact, mastering the professional mold replacement process is important, but if the machine design is unreasonable, it will also affect the time of mold replacement. The SIVITE thermoforming machine adopts a new T-shaped rapid mold table with a five-point structure, which is not only stable but also fast enough to change molds. If the operator is proficient in the mold replacement process, a set of molds can be quickly replaced in as fast as 3 minutes. This process can not only improve productivity, but also extend the life of the mold and reduce the cost of use.