GN develops new stack thermoformer for medium-volume packaging production

GN800 Thermoformer

GN Thermoforming Equipment, a leading manufacturer of servo-driven, roll-fed thermoforming machines for the production of plastic packaging, has announced the development of a new form, cut, stack thermoformer that targets low- to medium-volume production runs for packaging for the food, medical, and industrial markets.

GN has developed the GN580 Thermoformer, which is a smaller version of its highly regarded GN800 launched at K 2016. The launch of these two new GN models, part of GN's aggressive growth strategy plans, has proven to be very successful, even beyond the company's initial expectations, according to Jerome Romkey, General Manager of GN Thermoforming Equipment. "We are known around the world as a quality- and customer–driven company and we are working diligently to meet the demands of a growing and challenging market," said Romkey.

The first new GN580 machine currently being assembled has already been sold to a European packaging manufacturer, according to GN. "The GN580 offers many of the same features as our highly successful GN800 but is well suited for smaller production runs, particularly for the medical and industrial markets," said Romkey.

GN undertook an extensive research study and determined that there was strong demand from its customer base for a machine with similar capabilities to the GN800 but within a mid-size production capability range. GN said the new machine features advanced technology and is flexible and user friendly. "We listened to our customers and determined that this was the right size for them," said Romkey.

The GN580 adapts many of the same unique features of the GN800 and handles all thermoformable grades of PET, OPS, HIPS, PLA, PP, and PVC. The GN800, which was shown at NPE 2018 in Orlando, offers many standard features including in-mold-cut capability, auto-grease, heavy-duty bearings in the toggle system, and high-efficiency SOLAR heaters. Among the top priorities of GN's customer-focused approach are improving productivity and ensuring that customers produce the most finished parts per pound of sheet. Over the years, GN has perfected the common-edge-cut tooling technology for their contact- and radiant-heat series of thermoformers. Common-edge tooling offers the ability to form a series of square or rectangular trays in a row or multiple rows while reducing web between the edges of the products.

Initial plans call for the GN580 thermoformer to be shown this year at the K 2019 exhibition Oct. 16-23 in Dusseldorf, Germany.