Packaging · Thermoforming Machines
Thermoforming Packaging Machine
Form, load, evacuate, seal and cut in one automatic cycle. ProTrus thermoforming packaging machines pair servo drives with a hygienic stainless steel frame to pack cheese, meat, bakery products, ready meals and medical items—in three sizes, from compact to high-volume.
Fully automatic thermoforming line · forming, loading, vacuum or MAP, sealing and cutting
Cycle
7–9 strokes per minute
Sizes
Mini, Midi and Maxi frames
Film width
200 mm up to 600 mm
Control
Servo drives, 7-inch touchscreen
How a Thermoforming Packaging Machine Works
Thermoforming shapes heated plastic film into a tray or cavity, then fills and seals it on the same machine, so the pack never leaves the line. Each stroke moves the film forward by one index step and finishes a complete pack. Four stages run in sequence on every ProTrus machine.
Forming
The bottom film is heated and shaped into a cavity with compressed air, forming plugs, vacuum or a combination of them.
Loading
Products are placed into the formed cavities by hand or by an inline loading system.
Vacuum or MAP
Air is evacuated, or replaced with a protective gas mixture, to slow spoilage and extend shelf life.
Sealing and cutting
A top film is heat-sealed to the tray, then the finished packs are cut apart and discharged.
Mini, Midi and Maxi Thermoforming Packaging Machines
Three frame sizes cover everything from small-batch runs to high-volume production. All three share the same servo drive, 7-inch color touchscreen and hygienic stainless steel construction, so you choose by pack size, film width and floor space.
Model 01 · Compact
Mini Thermoforming Packaging Machine
The Mini suits small and mid-size producers, delis and pilot lines that need professional vacuum or MAP packs without a large footprint. It forms, seals and cuts in one stroke, and an easy mold change system speeds up product switches.
Model 02 · Mid-range
Midi Thermoforming Packaging Machine
The Midi is the all-round choice for mid-segment plants. It takes larger packs and wider film than the Mini, and a high-speed option is available when output has to rise.
Model 03 · High-volume
Maxi Thermoforming Packaging Machine
The Maxi runs the widest film and the longest step for large trays, multi-lane layouts and high-volume lines such as cheese, sausage and sliced meat.
Thermoforming Packaging Machine Specifications
Compare the three models side by side. Final film widths, molds and options are confirmed during the configuration review.
| Parameter | Mini | Midi | Maxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 7–9 strokes per minute | 7–9 strokes per minute | 7–9 strokes per minute |
| Step (index) length | Up to 210 mm | Up to 300 mm | Up to 450 mm |
| Film width | 200, 285, 300, 320, 360 mm | 300, 320, 360, 420 mm | 360, 420, 460, 520, 600 mm |
| Suitable film materials | PA+PE, PET+PE, PVC+PE, XPP | PA+PE, PET+PE, PVC+PE, XPP | PA+PE, PET+PE, PVC+PE, XPP |
| Bottom film | Formable soft film and rigid film | Formable soft film and rigid film | Formable soft film and rigid film |
| Top film | Adhesive soft film, paper, Tyvek | Adhesive soft film, paper, Tyvek | Adhesive soft film, paper, Tyvek |
| Printing | Unprinted, photocell or continuous | Unprinted, photocell or continuous | Unprinted, photocell or continuous |
| Control panel | 7-inch color touchscreen | 7-inch color touchscreen | 7-inch color touchscreen |
| Drive system | Servo motor | Servo motor | Servo motor |
Shelf life
Digital Vacuum Control and MAP
Shelf life depends on what is left inside the pack. A digital vacuum system with an automatic vacuum test control monitors the process, and optional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) replaces the air with a protective gas mixture for products that must stay fresh longer.
Controls & integration
Controls, Data and Line Integration
A PLC with a 7-inch color touchscreen runs the machine, stores a recipe for each product group and collects production data for reporting. Safety interlocks follow CE standards, and a traverse unit, inkjet printer, labeling system or checkweigher can be integrated in line.
What You Can Pack on a Thermoforming Line
Thermoforming protects products from air, moisture and handling and extends shelf life. Dairy, meat, bakery and ready meals are the most common uses; medical products, seafood, dried fruit and vegetables run on the same platform.
Cheese and Dairy
Blocks, wedges and slices of cheese, butter and other dairy products in vacuum or MAP trays.
Meat and Sausage
Sliced salami, baton sausage, finger sausage and fresh meat with tight, hygienic seals.
Bakery and Dough
Bread, phyllo dough and baked goods protected from mold, with longer shelf life.
Ready Meals and Sandwiches
Triangle sandwiches, ready-to-eat meals and other chilled convenience foods.
From Packaging Test to First Production, with One Partner
ProTrus supplies the machine, the molds for your pack format and the commissioning support, so responsibility stays with one team.
Product & film review
We start from your product, pack size, film structure and target output.
Configuration & molds
Frame size, forming and sealing molds, vacuum or MAP and line options are specified.
Manufacturing & testing
The machine is built and tested before it ships to your plant.
Installation & training
On-site start-up, first production runs and operator training.
Built for food hygiene. A stainless steel chassis, stainless feet and a hygienic body design keep the machine easy to clean, and CE-compliant safety systems protect operators. Read how thermoforming works, or explore our FFS packaging machines for cups, flow pack machines for wrapped products and all industrial packaging solutions. Packing cheese you also make? See our white cheese production line.
7–9
Strokes per minute on every model
3
Frame sizes: Mini, Midi and Maxi
600 mm
Widest film web on the Maxi
CE · ISO 9001
Marked equipment, certified quality processes
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermoforming Packaging Machines
Have a question about your packaging line? Ask our packaging engineers.
Get a Quote
Plan your thermoforming packaging line
Share your product, pack size and output target. We’ll configure a machine around them—not the other way around.
Share your product
Tell us what you pack and the pack format you need.
Engineering review
Our engineers assess film, pack size and output.
Machine proposal & quotation
You receive a configured machine with a detailed quotation.
Prefer email? info@protrus.com
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