ABS/PC Seat Shells Vacuum Formed in 5 mm for Hydroponics And Greenhouse

These ABS/PC seat shells are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for hydroponics and greenhouse. They are formed from ABS/PC 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
• ABS/PC keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Satin 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
• material certificates with every batch

Typical applications

• grow trays
• channel covers
• reservoir liners
• seedling trays
• seat shells used across general hydroponics and greenhouse builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: ABS/PC

ABS/PC carries higher heat resistance than ABS alone, which matters for housings around motors, drives and power electronics.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• satin finish
• EMI shielding coating
• anti static coating
• 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. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• dimension reports with every release
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. 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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current seat shells 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.