Thick Gauge polycarbonate Instrument Bezels in 5 mm – Food Processing Range

These polycarbonate instrument bezels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for food processing. They are formed from polycarbonate sheet at 5 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• washdown panels
• conveyor guards
• mixer covers
• product trays
• instrument bezels used across general food processing builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
3. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
5. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.

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

• 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
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

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

Quality

Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• dimension reports with every release
• UL94 V-0 grades available
• REACH compliant sheet available

Packing and delivery

Parts are stacked with interleaved film and packed in export cartons on pallets. 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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current instrument bezels 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.