Vacuum Pumps For Molded Fiber Processing

Molded fiber or molded pulp is the process for producing, strong, and environmentally friendly food and protective packaging. The molded fiber packaging is made from 100% recycled paper including newspaper, magazine, paper, and any product made of paper fibers as well as biodegradable plant-based products. Drink carriers, egg carriers, or filler flats are commonly used molded fiber products where vacuum is required.  

This vacuum application is evolving as there is continued pressure to switch from plastic and polystyrene packaging because molded fiber is a renewable and recyclable resource that is environmentally friendly.

Reliable Solutions For Molded Fiber Processing 

NASH vacuum systems are applied in molded fiber processing to save energy and provide reliable solutions. Therefore, production is optimized in molded fiber processing with NASH liquid ring vacuum pumps. 

Liquid ring vacuum pumps are durable solutions for challenging process applications, such as molded fiber. These pumps are specifically designed to excel in applications requiring positive backpressure. Thus, vacuum is applied in the manufacturing of molded fiber in two separate processes.

The first process, known as traditional, begins when water and recycled fibers, which include newspapers, corrugated and other specialty fibers are combined in a vat resembling a large blender. Once the fibers are combined in the vat a slurry is created and the paper fibers are suspended in water. The slurry is pumped into the forming station. Screened and vented tooling is lowered into the slurry tank. NASH vacuum pumps are activated and draw the slurry through the screen trapping the fibers onto the screen. The water is pumped back into a holding tank to be used again later. The formed fibers are transferred onto a conveyor and dried in a precisely controlled oven. Molded fiber product comes out dry and ready for shipment. 

The second type of molded fiber process where vacuum is applied is thermoformed. Thermoformed process utilizes the same first step as mentioned above in the traditional process; however, the second step requiring vacuum differs in that the slurry is pumped into the forming station. Screened and vented tooling is lowered into the slurry tank. 

The NASH liquid ring vacuum pump is activated and draws the slurry through the screen trapping the fibers onto the screen. The water is pumped back into a holding tank to be used again later. The fibers, now on a screen, are pressed in matched polished molds that are precisely in the form factor of the desired product. With heat and pressure, the water is pressed and evaporated out of the fibers.