LDPE Component Trays Vacuum Formed in 6 mm for Signage And Wayfinding

These LDPE component trays are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for signage and wayfinding. They are formed from LDPE 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
• LDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• As formed gloss 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

• light box covers
• direction panel shells
• post caps
• sign faces
• component trays used across general signage and wayfinding 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. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
3. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
4. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: LDPE

LDPE is flexible and tough in thin section, used for liners and protective covers that have to bend during fitting.

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• as formed gloss
• mould texture
• two coat polyurethane paint
• 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.

• REACH compliant sheet available
• food contact declarations available
• dimension reports with every release

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 7–15 working days, 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 component trays 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.