Cable Covers polycarbonate in 3 mm for Agricultural Machinery – Formed to Drawing

These polycarbonate cable covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for agricultural machinery. They are formed from polycarbonate sheet at 3 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
• polycarbonate keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Powder coat 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
• RoHS compliant grades available

Typical applications

• tractor hood panels
• cab interior trim
• fertiliser tank covers
• hopper liners
• cable covers used across general agricultural machinery builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
2. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is used when the housing must survive impact or carry a glazing function. It must be dried before forming or the sheet will bubble.

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface

Finishing and assembly options

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

Quality

First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• dimension reports with every release
• RoHS compliant grades available
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. Standard lead time to first article is 3–4 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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current cable covers 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.