ESD safe ABS Control Panels Vacuum Formed in 6 mm for Construction Machinery

These ESD safe ABS control panels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for construction machinery. They are formed from ESD safe ABS sheet at 6 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
• ESD safe ABS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Uv stabilised as formed 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• engine covers
• cab panels
• toolbox liners
• guard shells
• control panels used across general construction machinery builds

How it is made

1. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: ESD safe ABS

ESD safe ABS keeps surface resistivity in the dissipative range, used for electronics carriers, tray systems and equipment covers in assembly areas.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• UV stabilised as formed
• anti static coating
• two coat polyurethane paint
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• food contact declarations available
• dimension reports with every release
• material certificates with every batch

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 2–3 weeks, and repeat releases ship against stored tooling without a new proving run.

Frequently asked questions

Are spare parts available later?

Tooling is stored against the part number for the life of the programme, so replacements or spare panels can be released at any time.

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current control panels 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.