Output depends on clamshell size, material thickness, and mold cavity count. As a reference: the FSCT680/450 running a 12-cavity berry punnet mold at 50 cycles per minute produces 36,000 clamshells per hour (864,000 per day on a 24-hour shift). Larger salad clamshells on lower-cavity molds typically produce 15,000–25,000 units per hour. Smaller cupcake clamshells can exceed 50,000 units per hour.

Yes. Tamper-evident features — perforated tear-away tabs, breakable security rings, first-open witness marks, and interlocking closure ribs — are core capabilities of our FSCT multi-station thermoforming machines. These features are molded directly during the standard production cycle with no secondary operations required. Essential for food safety compliance in regulated markets and for building consumer trust in grab-and-go retail formats.

Hinge durability depends on three factors working together: material selection (PET and PP have excellent fold memory; PS does not — PS hinges crack quickly), hinge score geometry (the thin-wall score line must be precisely dimensioned — too thin and it tears, too thick and it won't fold cleanly), and forming temperature control (±1°C temperature accuracy prevents the brittle zones that cause premature cracking). SAYEAH machines deliver all three, producing hinges rated for 1,000+ open-close cycles on standard food-grade PET.

PET/APET is the dominant material for food clamshells — crystal clarity showcases products, rigidity maintains structural integrity, and excellent hinge memory allows thousands of open-close cycles without cracking. PP is preferred for hot-fill or microwave-safe clamshells (up to 120°C). CPET handles oven-reheat applications up to 220°C. PLA serves the growing compostable segment. PVC is still used for some retail blister clamshells, though declining due to environmental concerns. All food-contact materials must be sourced from certified food-grade resin suppliers.

Clamshell thermoforming is more complex than standard tray production because a single mold must form both the container base and the hinged lid simultaneously on the same sheet, with a precisely scored hinge connecting them. This requires three capabilities that basic machines lack: precision hinge scoring for reliable repeated folding, interlocking tab molding for secure closure, and tight cutting tolerance (±0.1mm) so the lid aligns perfectly with the base every time. SAYEAH multi-station machines are engineered specifically for these clamshell demands.