Kydex acrylic PVC Equipment Covers Vacuum Formed in 2 mm for Playground Equipment

These Kydex acrylic PVC equipment covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for playground equipment. They are formed from Kydex acrylic PVC sheet at 2 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
• Kydex acrylic PVC keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Pad printed logos 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

• slide shells
• climbing tower caps
• panel covers
• seat buckets
• equipment covers used across general playground equipment builds

How it is made

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

Material: Kydex acrylic PVC

Kydex acrylic PVC sheet is specified for interior trim that must resist scuffing and meet fire, smoke and toxicity rules.

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• pad printed logos
• anti static coating
• satin finish
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• PPAP or ISIR on request
• ISO 9001 quality system

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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current equipment covers 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.