EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) shape moulding machine is a type of
equipment used in the manufacturing process of EPS foam products. EPS foam, also known as Styrofoam, is a lightweight and versatile
material widely used for insulation, packaging, and construction
applications.
The shape moulding machine is specifically designed to produce
various shapes and sizes of EPS foam products, such as blocks,
sheets, panels, and custom molded products. It uses steam and pressure to expand and mold the EPS beads into
the desired shape.
Pre-expansion: The process begins with the pre-expansion of EPS
beads. The beads are fed into a pre-expander, where they are exposed to
steam and heat. The heat causes the beads to expand and fuse together, forming
expanded beads with low density.
Aging: The expanded beads are then transferred to an aging silo,
where they are allowed to cool and stabilize for a certain period. This aging process helps to improve the performance and consistency
of the EPS foam.
Molding: The aged beads are then fed into the shape moulding
machine. The machine consists of a mold cavity in the desired shape and size
of the finished product. The beads are evenly distributed within the mold cavity.
Steam and pressure application: Once the mold is filled with the
expanded beads, steam is injected into the mold cavity. The steam causes the beads to further expand and fuse together,
conforming to the shape of the mold. Simultaneously, controlled pressure is applied to ensure proper
density and dimensional stability of the final product.
Cooling and demolding: After the desired molding time, the steam
supply is stopped, and the mold is cooled using either water or
air. The cooling process solidifies the expanded beads into a solid foam
shape. Once cooled, the mold opens, and the finished product is ejected.
EPS shape moulding machines are available in different sizes and
configurations to accommodate various production capacities and
product requirements. They can be operated manually or automatically, depending on the
complexity and level of automation.
