Thick Gauge ABS/PMMA Control Panels in 8 mm – Office Furniture Range

These ABS/PMMA control panels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for office furniture. They are formed from ABS/PMMA sheet at 8 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
• ABS/PMMA 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• chair shells
• screen frames
• desk modesty panels
• cable trays
• control panels used across general office furniture builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
3. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: ABS/PMMA

ABS/PMMA combines an ABS core with a hard acrylic cap, so the part has the toughness of ABS and the UV and scratch resistance of acrylic.

Design notes

• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• 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
• UV stabilised as formed
• pad printed logos
• 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. Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch.

• dimension reports with every release
• material certificates with every batch
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. Standard lead time to first article is 2–3 weeks, 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.

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 control panels 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.