2 mm HIPS Equipment Covers Manufacturer for Playground Equipment

These HIPS equipment covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for playground equipment. They are formed from HIPS sheet at 2 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
• HIPS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Pad printed logos 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

• slide shells
• climbing tower caps
• panel covers
• seat buckets
• equipment covers used across general playground equipment builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: HIPS

HIPS is the low cost route for indoor liners and disposable trays where impact strength is not critical.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• pad printed logos
• matte finish
• mould texture
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• PPAP or ISIR on request
• dimension reports with every release
• REACH compliant sheet available

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. Standard lead time to first article is 10–15 working days, and repeat releases ship against stored tooling without a new proving run.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current equipment 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.