OEM Skid Plates polypropylene in 12 mm for Agricultural Machinery

These polypropylene skid plates are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for agricultural machinery. They are formed from polypropylene sheet at 12 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
• polypropylene keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Two coat polyurethane paint 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
• food contact declarations available

Typical applications

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

How it is made

1. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
2. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
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. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: polypropylene

Polypropylene survives repeated impact and most cleaning chemicals. Its low forming temperature keeps cycles short, but it shrinks more, so the mould is cut with the shrink factor built in.

Design notes

• 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
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• two coat polyurethane paint
• matte finish
• as formed gloss
• 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. Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch.

• REACH compliant sheet available
• PPAP or ISIR on request
• ISO 9001 quality system

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current skid plates 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.