Three Station Thermoforming Machines for Trays, Containers and Packaging
A fully automatic thermoforming solution integrating heating, forming, cutting and stacking for producing food trays, clamshell containers, fruit and egg packaging, plastic lids and industrial trays.
✅️ 24+ Years Factory Experience ✅️ CE Certified Machinery
✅️ Custom Mold and Line Design ✅️ Installation, Training and Spare Parts
What Is a Three Station Thermoforming Machine?
An automatic Three Station Thermoforming Machine is an integrated thermoforming system that heats a thermoplastic sheet, draws the softened material tightly against a mold by vacuum, cools the formed parts, cuts them into the required shape, and stacks the finished products automatically.
By combining automatic sheet feeding, heating, vacuum forming, cutting, and stacking in one continuous production process, the machine reduces manual handling and helps manufacturers achieve stable and efficient production.
It is commonly used to produce food trays, clamshell containers, fruit and vegetable packaging, plastic egg trays, lids, blister packaging, and industrial plastic trays. Depending on the machine configuration and product requirements, it can process materials such as PET, PP, PS, HIPS, and PVC.
Mold design, sheet thickness, heating temperature, vacuum settings, cooling time, and cutting parameters can be adjusted for different product sizes and shapes. Compared with a forming-only machine, this integrated model completes the main forming and post-forming processes automatically, making it suitable for manufacturers that require consistent output, reduced labor, and easier production management.
✅️Flexible Product Applications
✅️Custom Mold Available
✅️New and Used Machine Options
✅️Complete Line Configuration
What Products Can Three Station Thermoforming Machines Produce?
From food trays, clamshell containers and produce packaging to egg boxes, plastic lids, blister packs and industrial trays, this automated system completes heating, vacuum forming, cutting and stacking in one continuous production process.
Food Trays
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for meat, seafood, ready meals, bakery products and takeaway food packaging.
Clamshell Containers
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for fruits, salads, sandwiches, bakery products, desserts and takeaway food packaging.
Fruit and Produce Trays
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for blueberries, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, mushrooms and other fresh produce packaging.
Plastic Lids
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for cups, bowls, food trays, takeaway containers and other food packaging applications.
Cake and Sushi Boxes
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for cakes, pastries, sushi, desserts and other ready-to-eat food packaging.
Blister Packaging
Common materials: PET, PS or PVC
Suitable for hardware, electronics, cosmetics, stationery and small consumer product packaging.
Egg Trays and Egg Boxes
Common materials: PET, PP or PS
Suitable for chicken eggs, duck eggs, quail eggs and other protective egg packaging.
Seedling Trays
Common materials: PS, PP or PET
Suitable for seed germination, plant propagation, greenhouse growing and commercial nursery applications.
Electronic Component Trays
Common materials: PS, HIPS or PET
Suitable for electronic components, connectors, circuit boards, precision parts and industrial product handling.
Three Station Thermoforming Machine Models
Compare our WHX-7161 and WHX-7185 automatic Three Station Thermoforming Machine by mold size, forming depth, sheet thickness, production speed and suitable applications. Both models integrate heating, forming, cutting and stacking into one continuous production process.
WHX-7161 Fully Automatic Three Station Thermoforming Machine
The WHX-7161 is a fully automatic three station thermoforming machine that integrates heating, forming, cutting and stacking. It is suitable for producing disposable food containers, plastic trays, lids, plates, clamshell boxes and other thermoformed packaging products.
Recommended for small and medium-sized plastic packaging factories requiring flexible production and automatic operation.
WHX-7185 Fully Automatic Three Station Thermoforming Machine
The WHX-7185 is designed for automatic production of plastic food packaging and industrial thermoformed products. Its integrated heating, forming, cutting and stacking system supports efficient production of food trays, takeaway containers, lids, egg trays, fruit boxes and plastic packaging trays.
Recommended for manufacturers requiring a larger forming area, multi-cavity molds and higher production capacity.
Three Station Thermoforming Machine Technical Parameters
Compare the main technical parameters of the WHX-7161 and WHX-7185 three station thermoforming machines, including mold size, forming depth, sheet thickness, power configuration and suitable products.
| Technical Parameter | WHX-7161 | WHX-7185 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Mold Size | 710 × 610 mm | 710 × 850 mm |
| Maximum Forming Depth | 110 mm | 120 mm |
| Sheet Thickness | 0.15–2.0 mm | 0.16–2.0 mm |
| Maximum Forming Speed | 30 cycles/min | 30 cycles/min |
| Air Pressure | 0.6–0.8 MPa | 0.6–0.8 MPa |
| Air Consumption | 4.0 m³/min | 4.0 m³/min |
| Maximum Sheet Width | 760 mm | 760 mm |
| Suitable Sheet Materials | PP, PS, HIPS, PET, PVC, PLA | PP, PS, HIPS, PET, PVC, PLA |
| Power Supply | AC 380 V, 50 Hz, three-phase, four-wire | AC 380 V, 50 Hz, three-phase, four-wire |
| Rated Power | 130 kW | 130 kW |
| Heating Power | 50–80 kW | 50–80 kW |
| Production Process | Forming, cutting and stacking | Forming, cutting and stacking |
| Machine Dimensions | L9500 × W2100 × H2800 mm | L9500 × W2200 × H3200 mm |
| Approximate Weight | About 10 tons | About 11 tons |
| Suitable Products | Food trays, lids, clamshells, fruit trays, blister packs | Large food trays, cake boxes, egg boxes, seedling trays, industrial trays |
Plastic Materials and Suitable Applications
The WHX-7161 and WHX-7185 three station thermoforming machines can process a range of thermoplastic sheet materials for food packaging, agricultural trays and industrial packaging applications. Final material compatibility depends on the sheet grade, thickness, mold design, product structure and forming conditions.
Send us your product sample, drawing, material requirements and target capacity. Our engineers will confirm the suitable machine, mold and sheet configuration before production.
Compatible Plastic Sheet Materials
Select the sheet material according to the required transparency, rigidity, forming performance, product use and packaging appearance.
PET
Clear packaging and trays
PP
Food containers and lids
PS
Trays and packaging inserts
PLA
Selected packaging products
Material and Application Matching Guide
Compare PET, PP, PS/HIPS and PLA to choose the right thermoforming material for trays, containers, lids and food packaging applications.
| Material | Typical Applications | Key Processing Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| PET | Clear fruit trays, clamshell containers, cake boxes and sushi boxes | Provides good transparency and packaging appearance. Sheet grade and forming conditions should be confirmed before production. |
| PP | Food trays, takeaway containers, plastic lids and disposable packaging | Stable heating and accurate temperature control are important for consistent forming. |
| PS / HIPS | Disposable trays, plastic lids, packaging inserts and industrial trays | Suitable for stable continuous forming and a wide range of tray applications. |
| PLA | Selected disposable packaging and thermoformed food packaging products | Material grade, storage conditions and processing temperature must be confirmed before production. |
How to Choose the Right Three-Station Thermoforming Machine
The right machine configuration depends on your product dimensions, plastic material, sheet specifications, forming depth, mold layout, cutting requirements and target output. Share your product details with us, and our engineers will recommend a suitable forming, cutting and stacking solution.
Information Needed for Machine Selection
Please provide the following information so that our engineers can evaluate the forming area, mold layout, heating system, cutting station, stacking method and production capacity.
01. Product Photo or Sample
A clear product photo, physical sample, 2D drawing or 3D model.
02. Product Dimensions
Product length, width, height, forming depth and edge structure.
03. Plastic Material
PET, PP, PS, HIPS, PLA or another thermoforming sheet material.
04. Sheet Specifications
Sheet width, thickness, roll diameter, roll weight and sheet structure.
05. Required Output
Expected hourly output, daily production capacity or annual production target.
06. Forming, Cutting and Stacking Requirements
Positive or negative pressure forming, hole punching, cutting method, product counting and stacking requirements.
Send Your Product Sample for Engineering Evaluation
Send us your product photo, physical sample or technical drawing. Our engineers will evaluate the product dimensions, plastic material, sheet thickness, forming depth, edge structure and target output.
Based on your actual product requirements, we will recommend the suitable machine model, forming area, mold cavity layout, heating configuration, cutting station, stacking system and auxiliary equipment.
Machine recommendations are based on your actual product and production requirements rather than a fixed machine model.
Product Analysis
Dimension Check
Mold Layout
Machine Selection
Cutting Solution
Stacking Method
Share your product details to receive a machine, mold and production line proposal.
How the Three-Station Thermoforming Process Works
A three-station thermoforming machine integrates sheet heating, pressure forming, precision cutting and automatic stacking into one continuous production cycle. It is designed for producing food containers, trays, lids, fruit boxes, clamshell packaging and other thermoformed products from PP, PS, PET and other suitable plastic sheets.
1.Plastic Sheet Feeding
Plastic sheet is loaded onto the feeding rack and conveyed into the machine at a controlled speed for stable and continuous production.
2.Precise Sheet Heating
The plastic sheet passes through the heating system and is heated evenly to the forming temperature required for the selected material and product.
3.Positive and Negative Pressure Forming
Vacuum and compressed air shape the softened sheet accurately inside the forming mold, helping create clear details and consistent product quality.
4.Precision Cutting
The formed products move to the cutting station, where they are accurately cut according to the mold design and product layout.
5.Automatic Stacking
Finished products are transferred to the stacking station and arranged automatically for easier counting, collection and downstream packing.
6.Product Output and Scrap Collection
Stacked products are discharged for inspection and packing, while the remaining sheet skeleton is rewound or collected according to the production line configuration.
How a Three-Station Thermoforming Machine Works
A three-station thermoforming machine integrates sheet feeding, controlled heating, positive and negative pressure forming, precision cutting and automatic stacking for efficient production of plastic trays, food containers, lids and clamshell packaging.
Three-Station Thermoforming Machine vs. Other Forming Machines
| Machine Type | Typical Products | Production Process | Typical Production Mode | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-Station Thermoforming Machine Integrated Production | Food containers, trays, lids, clamshells, fruit boxes and other thermoformed packaging | Forming, precision cutting and automatic stacking are completed in three independent stations. | Continuous, automated and multi-cavity production | Packaging manufacturers requiring stable output, integrated cutting and higher automation |
| Plastic Cup Thermoforming Machine | Drinking cups, yogurt cups, jelly cups, ice cream cups and plastic bowls | Designed specifically for cup forming and cutting, with product handling based on the selected configuration. | Dedicated medium-to-high output cup production | Plastic cup factories and food-service packaging manufacturers |
| Plastic Vacuum Forming Machine | Plastic trays, blister packaging, inserts, covers and custom vacuum-formed products | Products are formed by vacuum, while trimming may be completed separately or inline depending on the model. | Flexible, semi-automatic or lower-volume production, depending on the model | Factories producing varied products, samples, customized orders or smaller production batches |
Which Machine Is Right for Your Project?
Machine selection depends on your product dimensions, material, sheet thickness, mold layout, target capacity and automation requirements. Send us your product sample, drawing or dimensions, and our engineers will recommend the suitable machine model, mold solution and auxiliary equipment.
Machine Testing and Quality Inspection Before Delivery
Before shipment, the three-station thermoforming machine is assembled and tested according to the confirmed machine, mold and product configuration. Our engineers inspect sheet feeding, heating, positive and negative pressure forming, cutting accuracy, stacking stability, electrical controls and safety functions.Trial production with customer samples can be arranged when the suitable mold, plastic sheet and production conditions are available.
What We Check Before Shipment
Sheet feeding and chain transport
Heating temperature control and heating uniformity
Vacuum, compressed-air and cooling circuits
Mold installation and product forming quality
Cutting alignment and automatic stacking stability
PLC, servo, electrical components and safety devices
1. Mold Installation and Adjustment
Forming and cutting molds are installed and adjusted according to the confirmed product layout.
2. System and Safety Inspection
Vacuum lines, compressed-air circuits, cooling systems, electrical controls and safety devices are checked.
3. Continuous Trial Production
The machine runs through feeding, heating, forming, cutting and stacking cycles before delivery.
4. Packing and Container Loading
After inspection, the machine is cleaned, protected, packed and loaded according to the shipping plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Three Station Thermoforming Machines
Find answers about suitable materials, product applications, mold customization, machine selection, auxiliary equipment, testing and after-sales service.