S7 Technics, Russia’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider has begun to manufacture plastic products using vacuum thermoforming. The new method will allow the company to considerably expand the range of items it is able to produce for aircraft interiors.
S7 Technics’ specialists at Novosibirsk’s Tolmachevo airport have been producing plastic components since 2015, with pressure casting techniques using before. Now production of serial parts using the new vacuum thermoforming method has been organized.
The technology of vacuum thermoforming involves heating of a plastic sheet, which is stretched over the mold with a vacuum. After this, the molded part is allowed to cool down. Then it is pushed out of the mold with excessive air pressure.
The design of new plastic production was carried out by the Design Bureau of S7 Technics’ Novosibirsk base. All materials used in the process passed the necessary fire tests carried out the company’s own laboratory. The laboratory’s activity is certified by the National accreditation body in the ILAC-MRA system (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation).