Thick Gauge TPO Protective Guards in 4 mm – Hydroponics And Greenhouse Range

These TPO protective guards are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for hydroponics and greenhouse. They are formed from TPO sheet at 4 mm, trimmed on 5-axis routers and inspected against the drawing before packing. Buyers choose this route where a metal fabrication is too heavy, or where injection moulding tooling cannot be justified for the volume.

Product specification

Key features

• One piece shell replaces a fabrication, so assembly hours drop
• TPO keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Mould texture finish as standard, further finishes on request
• Trimmed on 5-axis routers, so mounting holes and cut outs match the drawing
• Tooling stored against the part number for repeat and spare orders
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• channel covers
• grow trays
• seedling trays
• reservoir liners
• protective guards used across general hydroponics and greenhouse builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
2. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
3. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: TPO

TPO sheet is used where the part lives outdoors: it stays flexible in the cold and resists UV without a coating.

Design notes

• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• mould texture
• powder coat finish
• clear protective film
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• dimension reports with every release
• REACH compliant sheet available
• ISO 9001 quality system

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. Standard lead time to first article is 10–15 working days, and repeat releases ship against stored tooling without a new proving run.

Frequently asked questions

How fast is the first article?

Seven to fifteen working days from drawing release for sample tooling, with production tooling in three to four weeks.

Can you make it in another material?

Any grade in this family can be swapped in. Send the requirement and the material will be quoted with the price difference shown.

What quantity can I order?

Sample quantities start at one piece off printed tooling. The process pays back from about 25 pieces a year and runs well into several thousand.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current protective guards with the quantity and the finish required. The reply covers material choice, wall thickness, tooling route and price, so the decision is made on a complete picture.