Purpose & Overview:
Because the course begins with a thorough review of the basics, everyone will be immediately brought up to the same level. Both your experience and knowledge will be organized into a rational plan of action. The segments on techniques and tooling will create a thorough understanding of the practical application of the design theories. The purchasing and marketing segments will introduce the production engineer to the realities of the marketplace, while developing a practical outlook for those engaged in those areas. The troubleshooting/heating session alone will be worth the cost and time to the majority of those attending.

Who Should Attend?:
This is a course for those involved in any aspect of thermoforming. You'll walk away with newfound insights that can be applied immediately to more cost effective thermoforming production methods.

About the Instructor: William K. "Bill" McConnell, Jr.
Mr. McConnell's pioneering contributions to the plastics industry are well recognized. Bill was awarded the first annual "Thermoformer of the Year" award from the Thermoforming Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers and has been named a "Fellow" of the Society. Bill was honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 1997 Thermoforming Conference. He was inducted into the Plastics Pioneers Association in 1997. He has served SPE as International Membership Chairman, Education Chairman and President of the North Texas Section. Bill is currently on the Board of Directors of the Thermoforming Division. He is teaching 2, 3, and 5-day thermoforming seminars for the SPE, and has done so for since 1972. He also has taught for the Rubber & Plastic Institute (England). In addition to the U.S., his seminars have been held in England, Belgium, South Africa, Canada, Mexico and Australia.

An expert communicator, he has lectured widely and written extensively on all phases of thermoforming. He is asked regularly to be an expert witness and consultant to the legal field on plastics-related projects.

After attending Texas A & M University with a major in Aeronautical Engineering, he taught aerial navigation for the Navy and then founded and operated a non-scheduled airline for two years. Bill gained 14 years of invaluable experience as Vice President & General Manager of Texstar Plastics. He was one of the pioneers in thermoforming and plastics processing in the industrial and aerospace industries. He then organized a manufacturer's representative business dealing in plastic sheet, film and equipment which he operated for 20 years. In 1964 he founded AAA Plastic Equipment, Inc. manufacturing shuttle and rotary thermoforming equipment and served as President, General Manager and Chairman. He sold AAA in 1979. Bill's career gives him a unique knowledge of all aspects of plastics thermoforming production, from the design of equipment and manufacturing to the successful marketing of the product. Bill has partnered with SPE to author the "Ten Fundamentals of Thermoforming," the only thermoforming training product in the industry's marketplace today.

Seminar Content:
Introduction • Definition • History • Future • Advantages & disadvantages • The ten basic fundamentals
Heating • Convection • Conduction • Radiation
Thermoforming Methods • Vacuum • Pressure • Mechanical • Predraw stretching: snap back, plug assist • Combination forming • Slip forming • Twin sheet forming
Materials for Thermoforming • Types of plastics polymers • Material examples
Production of Sheet and Film • Extrusion • Other methods • Sheet purchasing specifications
Trimming • Routing and drilling • Sawing • Punching, shearing and die cutting • Robotics • Trim fixtures • High pressure water jet and laser • Deburring
Rigidizing • Bonded doublers • Fiberglass spray-up • Foam-in-place • Twin sheet
Tooling • Male or female mold • Mold construction • Vacuum holes and slots • Temperature control • Break-aways and undercuts • Orphaned inserts
Troubleshooting • Pilot error • Mechanical • Material • Heating • Pressure (vacuum or compressed air) • Controls
Design and Costing