Thermoform packaging machine with film punch

A method of determining the working position of at least one of a tool lower part and a tool upper part of a thermoform packaging machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a thermoform packaging machine comprising a controller and a film punch including a servo drive, the tool lower part, the tool upper part, and a lifting mechanism;
• moving at least one of the tool lower part and the tool upper part with the lifting mechanism such that the tool upper part and the tool lower part approach each other;
• and
• detecting contact between the tool upper part and the tool lower part, the contact being detected by the controller through evaluation data of a measuring unit, wherein the measuring unit is at least one of a pressure sensor, an impact-sound sensor, a vibration sensor, and a governor that detects at least the current of a servo drive or of a servo motor of the servo drive.

A thermoform packaging machine comprising:

• a film punch including a servo drive, a lever mechanism, a tool upper part and a tool lower part, wherein at least one of the tool upper part and the tool lower part is movable by the lever mechanism such that the tool upper part and the tool lower part approach each other;
• a controller;
• and
• a measuring unit configured to detect a contact between the tool upper part and the tool lower part, wherein the servo drive comprises a servomotor, a governor and a spindle, and the spindle is a ball screw.