Thermoplastic Material
“A thermoplastic is a material, usually a plastic polymer, which becomes more soft when heated and hard when cooled. Thermoplastic materials can be cooled and heated several times without any change in their chemistry or mechanical properties” Wikipedia
Road Markings use Thermoplastics
Creating Preformed Road Markings by Die Cutting Thermoplastic Sheets
Freeman SCHWABE is proficient in die cutting thermoplastic to convert the material to preformed shapes for applying to asphalt or cement as road or pavement markings.
The preformed thermoplastic road markings include a mixture of glass beads, pigments, binder and filler materials:
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- “Glass beads -provide the retro reflectivity necessary for its bright night time appearance
- Pigments – provide the color and opacity
- Binder a mixture of plasticizer and resins that provide toughness, flexibility, and bond strength while holding all the components together
- Fillers – Thermoplastic Types:such as calcium carbonate, sand and/or other inert substances that provide bulk”
In the photos and video below Freeman SCHWABE is die cutting thermoplastics into road markings on a Full Head Hydraulic Beam Press with Direct Drive Belt Feed System.
Freeman SCHWABE die cutting Thermoplastic sheets for Road Markings
Freeman SCHWABE die cut Thermoplastic preformed Road Markings
Freeman SCHWABE die cut Thermoplastic preformed Road Markings
Watch video on Freeman SCHWABE YouTube channel
Die Cutting Thermoplastic Sheet Material on Nylon Belt
Freeman Schwabe Model FH100 Full Head Hydraulic Beam Press with Direct Drive Belt Feed System & Head Mounted Die
General Specifications
Cutting Force – 110 U.S. Tons
Head & Bed Size – 29.9” D x 47.2” W
Effective Cutting Area – 27.9”D x 40.1”W
Cutting Stroke – 4.3”
Daylight – 5.3″ from head to bed without cutting surface.
Belt Width – 45.2”
Sheet Size – 25” x 40”
Rule to Rule, Largest Die – 24” x 39”
Motorized 4 Post Mechanical Stops – with Linear Transducer.
Die Mounting – 4 Position Pneumatic Fixed Die Clamps
Cutting Surface – Nylon Belt
Panel Control – Allen Bradley PLC
SCHWABE Die Cutting Presses / Systems and Software 