EPS Shape Molding Machine — Packaging, Fish Box & ICF - EPS machinery manufacturer China
SM-1200
CE ISO 9001

EPS Shape Molding Machine — Packaging, Fish Box & ICF

Complete-line EPS specialist — 500+ factories running on our equipment

EPS Shape Molding Machine — Packaging, Fish Box & ICF — eps shape molding machines by ChinaEps, CE & ISO 9001 certified.

Kami memproduksi mesin shape molding EPS SM-1200 — kotak ikan, helm, blok ICF, kemasan buah. 3 ukuran SM-1000/1200/1400. Bersertifikat CE.

Key Specifications

Model
SM-1200 (versatile mid-range shape molding machine)
Mold Platen Size (L×W)
1,200 × 1,000 mm
Max Product Size
Up to 1,150 × 950 × 350 mm (mold-dependent)
Cycle Time (empty test)
30-45 seconds (no product, machine timing baseline only)
CE and ISO 9001 Certified 5-Yr Structural Warranty 24h Technical Response

Inside the Machine — Core Components

Eight engineered subsystems that make this machine production-grade. Each component is sourced, built, and tested for industrial duty cycles.

1. Steam Tank

1. Steam Tank

Function

Stores steam for stable heating and consistent molding performance — the buffer between the steam boiler and the mold chamber.

Engineering Details

Working steam pressure 0.4-0.8 MPa. AISI 304 stainless steel pressure vessel, TUV / Bureau Veritas certified. Insulated to minimize heat loss between molding cycles.

2. Mold (Custom-Designed)

2. Mold (Custom-Designed)

Function

Custom-designed molds ensure precise shape, smooth surface, and high dimensional accuracy — the core of EPS shape molding quality.

Engineering Details

Cast or CNC-machined 6061 aluminum. Surface anodized for durability + clean release. Engineered steam channels for uniform heating. Vent pin holes (Ø 0.5 mm) prevent air-trap defects. Quick-change locking system — 4-6 hour mold swap.

3. Steam Valve

3. Steam Valve

Function

Distributes steam evenly into the mold chamber to ensure uniform preheating across complex product geometries — direct factor in bead fusion consistency.

Engineering Details

Gemu-Germany or Burkert-Germany proportional valves. PLC-controlled solenoid array, 2-4 independent steam zones. Closed-loop pressure regulation 0.08-0.12 MPa during steam burst.

4. Air Cylinder

4. Air Cylinder

Function

Pneumatic actuator that drives mold opening, closing, and product ejection with consistent timing and gentle release — protects the mold-release coating for million-cycle service life.

Engineering Details

Festo-Germany pneumatic cylinders rated 1 million+ cycles. Working air pressure 0.5-0.7 MPa. Anti-static design prevents bead clumping. Adjustable cushioned end-stops protect mold integrity.

5. Vacuum System

5. Vacuum System

Function

Removes air and residual moisture from the mold cavity for fast cycle times and dimensionally stable products — the single biggest factor in cutting cycle time 30-40% vs air-only cooling.

Engineering Details

Water-ring vacuum pump (7.5-11 kW Becker/Edwards equivalent). Cylindrical vacuum buffer tank. Reaches 0.06 MPa absolute pressure in 30-45 seconds. Cycle time 30-300s depending on product complexity.

6. PLC Control System

6. PLC Control System

Function

User-friendly interface with PLC system, pressure gauges and alarm indicators for easy operation and monitoring — recipes per product SKU for quick changeover.

Engineering Details

Siemens S7-1200 PLC + 10-12" Weintek HMI touch screen. 99-recipe storage library. USB recipe export; optional Ethernet/IP for MES integration. 380V / 50Hz / 3-Phase. Multi-user accounts (operator/supervisor/maintenance) with audit trail.

Technical Specifications

Parameter SM-1000SM-1200SM-1400
Tier Entry / Small batchMid-range / Most popularPremium / Large-format
Mold Platen Size (L×W) 1,000 × 800 mm1,200 × 1,000 mm1,400 × 1,200 mm
Max Product Size 950 × 750 × 300 mm1,150 × 950 × 350 mm1,350 × 1,150 × 400 mm
Cycle Time 45-120 seconds60-150 seconds75-180 seconds
Steam Pressure 0.08-0.12 MPa0.08-0.12 MPa0.08-0.12 MPa
Clamping Force 15 tons (hydraulic)25 tons (hydraulic)40 tons (hydraulic)
Steam Consumption 5-10 kg / cycle8-15 kg / cycle12-22 kg / cycle
Cooling Method Vacuum + water sprayVacuum + water sprayVacuum + water spray
Voltage 380V / 50Hz (220V/60Hz optional)380V / 50Hz (220V/60Hz optional)380V / 50Hz (220V/60Hz optional)
Installed Power 18 kW25 kW40 kW
Ejection System Hydraulic + pneumatic dual-stageHydraulic + pneumatic dual-stageHydraulic + pneumatic dual-stage
Mold Change Time 4-6 hours quick-change4-6 hours quick-change4-6 hours quick-change
Density Range 15-50 kg/m³15-50 kg/m³15-50 kg/m³
Compatible Beads EPS / EPP / fast-cycling / flame-retardantEPS / EPP / fast-cycling / flame-retardantEPS / EPP / fast-cycling / flame-retardant
Machine Weight 6,500 kg8,500 kg12,000 kg
Dimensions (L×W×H) 3,400 × 2,200 × 2,800 mm3,800 × 2,400 × 3,000 mm4,300 × 2,700 × 3,300 mm
Control System Siemens S7-1200 PLC + 10" Weintek HMISiemens S7-1200 PLC + 10" Weintek HMISiemens S7-1200 PLC + 12" Weintek HMI
Certifications CE + ISO 9001CE + ISO 9001CE + ISO 9001

* Specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact us for the latest technical data.

What This Machine Solves

Three production problems eliminated by this machine — with engineered, measurable solutions.

The Problem 1

Shape molding cycle of 60-90 seconds caps daily output and inflates per-piece cost

How This Machine Solves It

SM-1200 hydraulic clamping + closed steam circulation runs 45-60 second cycles on fast-cycling beads for standard fish-box and packaging-insert molding (typical 60-90 s for general packaging, 120-150 s for thick automotive parts). Fast-cycle configuration on 14-25 kg/m³ high-fusion beads: output up 50-70%.

The Problem 2

Trapped condensate causes wet, deformed parts that fail QC

How This Machine Solves It

Dual-vacuum drying ports + auto-condensate drainage delivers ≤0.5% residual moisture in finished part; QC rejection drops below 1.5%.

The Problem 3

Frequent mold changes for different SKUs cost 2-4 hours each time

How This Machine Solves It

Quick-change mold platen + standardized clamp interface cuts same-format mold-insert swap to ~45 minutes (complete platen + steam-piping reconfigure for a different format still takes 4-6 hours) — small-batch SKU production becomes economical.

Working Principle

SM-1200 is an automatic shape molding machine for custom EPS/EPP parts. Pre-expanded beads are loaded into a closed mold cavity; saturated steam fuses beads into the final part shape; vacuum drying removes moisture; hydraulic clamp releases the cooled part. The 1,200 refers to the platen size in mm.

Step 1

1. Mold Closure

Hydraulic clamp closes mold halves at 25 MPa working pressure.

Step 2

2. Bead Filling

Pneumatic injectors fill cavity uniformly through multiple gates.

Step 3

3. Steam Heating

Saturated steam at 0.15-0.20 MPa cross-injection pressure (from 0.4-0.8 MPa steam tank via regulator, stepping down to 0.08-0.12 MPa mold cavity working pressure) fuses beads in 15-25 s.

Step 4

4. Vacuum & Cool

Dual vacuum ports remove moisture; cooling water drops part to 50°C.

Step 5

5. Eject

Mold opens; pneumatic ejectors push finished part out.

Engineered Performance Advantages

Every advantage backed by measurable specs — no marketing claims without data.

Cycle Time
45-60 s (fish box, fast-cycle beads)
vs typical packaging 60-90 s / thick automotive 120-150 s

Closed steam circulation + dual vacuum cuts cycle 40-50% on 14-25 kg/m³ high-fusion beads. Actual cycle depends on part thickness, density, mold cooling, and steam supply pressure.

Residual Moisture
≤0.5%
vs industry typical 1-2%

Lower moisture means dimensionally stable parts straight off the line.

Mold Change Time
~45 min (quick-insert) / 4-6 hr (complete)
vs industry typical 2-4 hours

Same-format mold-insert swap uses standardized clamp interface — ~45 min. Complete platen + steam-piping reconfigure for a different format takes 4-6 hours (industry norm).

Hourly Output (with mold)
~640 pieces/h (8-cavity fish box × 80 cyc/h)
vs single-cavity: 60-80 pcs/h

Example calculation: 8-cavity fish-box mold running 45s cycle = 80 cyc/h × 8 = 640 boxes/h. Multi-cavity molds required for high piece counts; single-cavity molds appropriate for large parts (helmet cores, ICF blocks) at 60-80 pcs/h.

Real Production Applications

See where this machine fits in real factories.

Fish box and aquaculture foam-box production for cold-chain seafood industry — primary EPS shape-molded product worldwide
Fish box and aquaculture foam-box production for cold-chain seafood industry — primary EPS shape-molded product worldwide
Fruit and produce packaging inserts for export pallets — lightweight 15-18 kg/m³ density molded to fit specific produce shapes
Fruit and produce packaging inserts for export pallets — lightweight 15-18 kg/m³ density molded to fit specific produce shapes
Electronics and appliance protective foam — refrigerator cushions, TV protectors, monitor inserts
Electronics and appliance protective foam — refrigerator cushions, TV protectors, monitor inserts

Machine Configuration

Industrial-grade components from established global brands — every part traceable.

Component Brand / Spec Detail
PLC Controller Siemens S7-1200 Recipe storage for multiple SKUs; SD-card backup.
HMI Siemens / Weintek 10-inch color HMI; cycle-time analytics; OEE display.
Hydraulic System Yuken 25 MPa, 6-station valve block, emergency-release circuit.
Vacuum Pump Becker Dry rotary vane, 60 m³/h, dual-port operation.
Steam Solenoid Burkert Fast-acting; ≤30 ms response time for short cycles.
Mold Platen SUS440 Stainless 1,200 × 1,000 mm; quick-change pin alignment.

Customer Case Studies

Customer details available on request.

Russia Year: 2023
Configuration

3 × SM-1200 + 12 mold sets, 50 t/month fish boxes

Outcome

Murmansk-based seafood packer replaced legacy Italian shape molders; cycle time dropped from 75 s to 42 s, energy cost down 22%.

Spain Year: 2024
Configuration

1 × SM-1200 + custom packaging molds

Outcome

Wine-glass protective insert OEM; quick-change mold enables 8 SKU rotation per shift.

Maintenance & Safety

A clear schedule keeps the line running. Built-in safety systems protect operators and product alike.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily (every shift)

Inspect mold cavity for bead residue or surface damage. Verify hydraulic pressure (25-ton spec) at clamping. Check steam pressure gauges (0.08-0.12 MPa). Clean ejector pin holes of bead debris. Test e-stop function. Reset product counter at shift start.

Weekly

Lubricate hydraulic cylinder seals and ejector pin mechanisms. Inspect water-ring vacuum pump impeller. Check pneumatic bead-fill guns for wear. Drain steam condensate from low points. Verify mold-release coating condition (re-apply if showing wear).

Monthly

Open mold; clean cavity interior with food-grade detergent. Inspect aluminum mold for cracks or wear (visible at parting line first). Service vacuum pump water seal. Recalibrate steam pressure transducers. Backup PLC recipes to USB.

Semi-Annual

Inspect hydraulic clamping cylinder for seal wear. Replace water-ring vacuum pump seal. Recalibrate load cells. Verify ejector pin alignment (±0.1mm spec). Re-apply mold-release coating per OEM schedule.

Annual

Major overhaul: replace hydraulic cylinder seals (5,000h spec), service Siemens PLC battery, recertify pressure-relief safety system, update PLC firmware per Siemens advisories, refresh operator training including quick-change mold procedure.

Safety Features

  • CE certification per EN 60204-1 + EN ISO 13849-1 PLd for safety-related control systems
  • Pressure-relief valve on steam chamber at 0.18 MPa setpoint (2× operating pressure)
  • Hydraulic safety interlock prevents steam injection until 25-ton clamping force achieved
  • Two emergency-stop mushrooms (operator panel + machine side) — Category 0 stop within 100ms
  • Mold-open safety guard prevents operator hand-trap during clamping cycle
  • Vacuum pressure relief prevents implosion if condenser blockage occurs
  • Thermal cutoff in electrical cabinet (>60°C) — auto-shutdown logged for audit
  • Product-ejection clearance sensor halts ejector if foreign object detected in discharge path
Live Footage

See This Machine Running

Real ChinaEps production line footage from customer factories — not stock video.

EPS Shape Molding Machine — Real Test Run Footage
EPS Cup Shape Molding Production — Working Flow

ROI Snapshot

Quick reference numbers — for a precise quote with your factory data, use the ROI Calculator.

Equipment Investment
~$1,400-1,600/ton FOB illustrative (quote-specific)
Payback Period
10-13 months at 800 pcs/h average
Throughput
Up to 24,000 pieces/day double-shift, depending on part size.
Run Detailed ROI Calculator →

Product FAQ

The questions buyers ask most often before placing an order.

How is the SM-1200 different from the BM-1400 block-molding machine?
Three categories of difference. (1) Output: SM-1200 makes finished-shape products (fish boxes, cooler boxes, packaging inserts) ready for sale; BM-1400 makes blocks that need a downstream cutting step. (2) Mold: SM-1200 uses custom cavity inserts (one per product SKU); BM-1400 uses one standard block cavity. (3) Cycle: SM-1200 60-150 seconds per part; BM-1400 5-7 minutes per block. Use SM-1200 for finished-shape packaging and consumer products; use BM-1400 for cut-to-size insulation and geofoam.
What products can be made on a single SM-1200, and how long does mold changeover take?
Any finished EPS shape that fits within the 1,200×1,000×350mm work envelope. Common: fish boxes, cooler boxes, fruit-tray inserts, helmet liners, automotive bumper inserts, refrigerator cushions. Mold changeover 4-6 hours with the quick-change locking system. Most customers run 3-8 different SKUs per machine.
How are custom molds designed and made — what is the lead time?
Customer provides 3D CAD file (STEP or IGES format) of the desired finished product, or a physical sample we can reverse-engineer. ChinaEps engineering does mold design (1-2 weeks), customer approves, then mold manufacturing (4-6 weeks). Total custom mold lead time 6-8 weeks. Cast aluminum is standard; cost varies Contact us for pricing depending on product complexity.
What bead density range does the SM-1200 handle, and how does cycle time scale?
15-50 kg/m³ density range. Lower density (15-20 kg/m³ — typical for fish boxes and lightweight packaging) cycles 60-90 seconds. Mid-density (25-30 kg/m³ — automotive parts) cycles 100-130 seconds. Higher density (40-50 kg/m³ — premium FR-grade) cycles 130-150 seconds.
Can the SM-1200 work with EPP and fast-cycling EPS beads?
Yes — both. EPP requires slightly higher steam pressure (0.10-0.14 MPa) and longer cycles (15-25% more time). Fast-cycling EPS reduces cycle time 20-30% — particularly attractive for high-volume cooler-box producers. Mold material (aluminum) and clamping system are compatible with all bead types.
What is the steam boiler requirement?
Minimum 0.5 ton/h steam boiler at 0.15 MPa working pressure. Most customers run a 1.0 ton/h boiler to cover SM-1200 + upstream PE-1400 pre-expander + downstream operations. ChinaEps can quote the matching boiler + softener + condensate-return system.
Can the SM-1200 ship to 220V/60Hz markets?
Yes — factory build option. We swap hydraulic pump motor, vacuum pump motor, contactors, and VFD to 220V/60Hz equivalents. PLC and HMI are voltage-flexible. No price difference; 2-3 week lead time adjustment.
How many pieces per day, and how does that scale with product type?
At 90-second cycles (typical fish boxes): 40 cycles/hour × 8 hours = 320 cycles per shift. Multi-cavity molds (4-up or 6-up for small products) push this to 1,200-2,000 pieces/shift. Double-shift operation reaches 24,000+ pieces/day on small products like fruit-tray inserts.
What is the integration path with PE-1400 and downstream operations?
Standard line: PE-1400 → aging silo (24-72h) → SM-1200 → automated stacker (ST1200) → wrapping machine (SPLM). The SM-1200 PLC has analog/digital I/O for upstream/downstream handshaking. Most line integrations complete in 5-7 days on-site.
What is the operator training requirement?
Two options: (1) factory training in Qingdao for 2-3 days during pre-shipment testing (you cover travel); (2) on-site training for 3-5 days during commissioning (you cover travel + accommodation). Training covers PLC recipe management, mold changeover, troubleshooting common defects, and maintenance schedule. Materials in EN / ZH / ES / PT / FR / RU / AR.
Is the SM-1200 the same as a thermocol making machine?
Yes. "Thermocol" is the common name for EPS (expanded polystyrene) in India and South Asia, so a thermocol making machine and an EPS shape molding machine are the same equipment. The SM-1200 covers the full thermocol product range — disposable tableware, sheets, boxes, and decorative items. We ship to thermocol manufacturers across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal with CE certification and a 5-year warranty.
Can the SM-1200 make thermocol plates, cups, and dona?
Yes. The SM-1200 thermocol making machine produces thermocol plates, cups, dona (disposable bowls), trays, and boxes by steam-fusing EPS beads in custom aluminium molds. A single SM-1200 with a multi-cavity dona/plate mold produces 200-400 thermocol items per hour; swap molds in under 45 minutes to switch between thermocol plate making, cup making, and dona making on the same machine. We supply the complete thermocol plate making machine line — pre-expander, SM-1200 shape molder, and your choice of plate, cup, or dona molds.

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