A sushi tray making machine is a multi-station thermoforming line that heats plastic sheet, forms it against a mold, punches and trims the parts, and stacks finished trays in one continuous cycle. Sushi trays demand clear walls, flat flanges, and repeatable denesting. The SWT-7565 positive/negative pressure thermoformer runs PET, PP, PS, PVC, and PLA at 5-45 cycles per minute.
What the Machine Does
A sushi tray starts as a roll of food-grade sheet. The machine heats that sheet until it is pliable, forms it over a mold, then cools it into shape.
Every step runs inline: feeding, heating, forming, punching, trimming, stacking, and scrap winding. One line replaces several standalone units and removes manual handling between stages.
How a Sushi Tray Is Formed on the SWT-7565
- Sheet feeding and unwinding – roll diameter up to 1,200 mm. Sheet quality sets the ceiling for tray clarity, so most buyers pair the line with a dedicated PET sheet extrusion machine.
- Heating – two ovens, 1,925 mm total length, three-stage ceramic heating.
- Forming – positive pressure from above plus vacuum from below.
- Punching and trimming – 80-ton clamping force, sheet width 480-780 mm.
- Stacking and output – counted stacks, scrap rewound automatically.
Step 3 decides tray quality. Dual-pressure forming produces sharper corner definition than vacuum-only machines, which matters for deep-draw formats.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | SWT-7565 |
|---|---|
| Forming area (max / min) | 760 x 650 mm / 460 x 350 mm |
| Forming height (max) | 120 mm |
| Sheet width (trim size) | 480-780 mm |
| Suitable material thickness | 1.5-2.0 mm (subject to product) |
| Materials | PP, PS, PET, PVC, PLA |
| Cycle speed | 5-45 cycles/min |
| Punching clamping force | 80 tons |
| Heating ovens | 2 pcs, 1,925 mm total |
| Machine size (L x W x H) | 13,000 x 2,800 x 2,900 mm |
| Installed power | ~140 kW |
| Compressed air | ~1,200 L/min, 0.6-0.8 MPa |
| Operating staff | 1-2 persons |
Engineering Features That Cut Scrap and Downtime
One-Piece Cast Mold Tables
A crankshaft and 5-point clamping spread the 80-ton force evenly and remove weld-fatigue failure points.
Full Delta Servo Drive
Mold clamping, stretch assist, sheet feeding, and stacking all run closed-loop, improving registration and wall-thickness consistency.
Per-Brick Temperature Control
Each 120 x 120 mm Ceramicx brick has its own controller, so heat is tuned across the sheet width.
CKD Dual-Pressure Forming
Japanese solenoid valves respond in milliseconds, holding part quality at the top speed of 45 cycles per minute.
1,000-Recipe Memory
Recalling a stored recipe repositions every servo axis and temperature setpoint, with Schneider electricals throughout.
What Drives the Cost
Purchase price is only part of the decision. Running cost depends on installed power (~140 kW, with actual draw around 60-70%), compressed air (~1,200 L/min), and labour (one to two operators). Scrap rate and changeover time move the total further: servo feeding and per-brick heating cut waste per tray, while recipe memory turns a mold change from hours into minutes.
How to Choose a Sushi Tray Making Machine
- Match forming area to your largest tray and cavity count.
- Confirm forming depth – sushi trays are shallow, but platter and meal-prep formats need more.
- Check that your sheet material and thickness fall inside the rated range.
- Ask about changeover time and recipe storage if you run several SKUs.
- Compare brand components (PLC, servo, valves, controllers) rather than price alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What machine is used to make sushi trays?
Sushi trays are produced on thin-gauge thermoforming machines with forming, punching, and stacking stations. A positive and negative pressure machine is preferred for sharp corner definition and uniform wall thickness.
Can the SWT-7565 run PET and PP sushi trays?
Yes. PP, PS, PET, PVC, and PLA are all listed as suitable materials. PET suits clear retail display trays, while PP suits reheated or hot-filled formats.
What forming depth does it support?
Maximum forming height is 120 mm. That covers standard sushi trays plus deeper bento and meal-prep containers.
How many operators are needed?
One to two persons. Feeding, forming, trimming, and stacking all run automatically.
How long does a mold change take?
Stored recipes recall heating zones, mold heights, servo positions, and cycle speed. Changeover takes minutes instead of hours.
Professional Summary
The SWT-7565 pairs an 80-ton punching station with servo-driven forming and per-brick heat control. For sushi tray producers, that means stable wall thickness, low scrap, and fast SKU changeover. See the full SWT-7565 thermoforming machine guide, then request the complete technical agreement and a mold layout for your tray size.