Thick Gauge PETG Hoppers in 5 mm – Solar And Wind Energy Range

These PETG hoppers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for solar and wind energy. They are formed from PETG 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
• PETG keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Silk screened markings 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• nacelle access panels
• inverter covers
• cable covers
• combiner box housings
• hoppers used across general solar and wind energy builds

How it is made

1. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
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. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: PETG

PETG forms at a low temperature, holds detail well and is accepted for food contact, which suits trays, guards and machine covers in food plants.

Design notes

• 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
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• UV stabilised as formed
• 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.

• ISO 9001 quality system
• RoHS compliant 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 7–15 working days, 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.

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.

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 hoppers 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.