HIPS Fenders Vacuum Formed in 6 mm for Fitness Equipment

These HIPS fenders are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for fitness equipment. They are formed from HIPS sheet at 6 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
• 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• weight stack shrouds
• console housings
• seat shells
• treadmill motor covers
• fenders used across general fitness equipment builds

How it is made

1. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
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: HIPS

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

Design notes

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

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• soft touch coating
• matte finish
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• ISO 9001 quality system
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Parts are stacked with interleaved film and packed in export cartons on pallets. 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.

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 fenders 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.