The title poses a very interesting question as the process of creating Vacuum formed products is essential to our modern life. Without the process of vacuum forming we would be without the ability to make a great many things in our lives that make it better and easier. A firm that knows all about the process is https://www.bridgewooduk.com/production-assembly/vacuum-forming but this piece will give you an idea as to what is required when making something out of the vacuum forming process.
Vacuum forming is a part of thermoforming. What that means is that it uses a type of plastic that reacts to heat or thermal pressure. Basically when the plastic is warmed it starts to become pliable. The plastic comes as a sheet and when it reaches the correct temperature it is stretched over the mould or the press ready to be shaped. Air is removed so that the only place the sheet can go is down on to the mould or press. The vacuum created forces the sheet down so that it presses itself total over the shape that needs to be created. The deepness of the shape being created is dependent on how thin the plastic is stretched out in the thermal process.
There are many uses for this process in producing useful products. The main use is the production of food storage trays in supermarkets. Meat and Fish needs to be kept in an environment where they cannot be tainted and the trays formed by this process make excellent storage systems to be vac sealed keeping the food fresh inside. The same is true of microwave meal storage. As the food inside is pre-cooked and just simply needs to be reheated the plastic presents the perfect place to store it plus compartments can be added and moulded for ease and separation of the food stuffs. The plastic is treated already and can withstand a second thermal blast from the microwave.
Apart from food storage larger and deeper compartments can be made if the plastic is stretched thinner over the mould. However, there are more artistic uses available. Increased mould making skills has allowed for highly detailed and intricate models of cars for the remote model car industry. It has also meant that the production of exotically constructed masks and their subsequent mass production as a result of the ease of making.