ABS/PMMA Hoods Vacuum Formed in 6 mm for Catering And Kitchen Equipment

These ABS/PMMA hoods are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for catering and kitchen equipment. They are formed from ABS/PMMA 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
• ABS/PMMA keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Matte finish 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
• material certificates with every batch

Typical applications

• bain marie liners
• refrigerated well covers
• service trolley trays
• hood panels
• hoods used across general catering and kitchen equipment 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. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: ABS/PMMA

ABS/PMMA combines an ABS core with a hard acrylic cap, so the part has the toughness of ABS and the UV and scratch resistance of acrylic.

Design notes

• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist

Finishing and assembly options

• matte finish
• silk screened markings
• UV stabilised as formed
• 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.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• material certificates with every batch
• 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 7–15 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.

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current hoods 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.