Rancang Bangun Mesin Molding Block Komposit Serat Sawit

Abstract

Plastic thermoforming is widely applied in manufacturing because of its lightweight, strength, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, and ease of forming. This study aims to analyze the control characteristics of an automated plastic vacuum-forming machine and determine optimal processing parameters for PET sheets. The research involved machine design, fabrication, perakitan, testing, and analysis of experimental data. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) sheets with thicknesses of 0.3, 0.5, and 0,75 mm were tested under different heating temperaturs, heating times, and vacuum times. The machine was controlled automatically using an Arduino-based control system with a Nextion LCD interface. The results showed that the machine successfully formed PET sheets into the desired 1A mica shape according to the mold geometry. The optimal parameters varied with sheet thickness. For 0,75 mm PET, the lowest deviation was obtained at a heating temperatur of 110 °C, heating time of 30 min, and vacuum time of 10 s. For 0,5 mm PET, the optimal parameters were 100 °C, 23 min, and 10 s, respectively. For 0,3 mm PET, the lowest deviation was achieved at 100 °C, 20 min, and 14 s. These results demonstrate that the automated control system can effectively regulate the vacuum-forming process and that the optimal parameters depend on PET sheet thickness.