ABS Seat Shells Vacuum Formed in 10 mm for Printing And Packaging Machinery

These ABS seat shells are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for printing and packaging machinery. They are formed from ABS sheet at 10 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 keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Anti static coating 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

• ink tray liners
• control panels
• waste bins
• feeder covers
• seat shells used across general printing and packaging machinery builds

How it is made

1. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
2. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
3. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
5. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.

Material: ABS

ABS is the default choice where the part needs stiffness, a paint finish and clean trimmed edges. It forms evenly, takes texture well and bonds with standard solvents.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

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

• ISO 9001 quality system
• RoHS compliant grades available
• REACH compliant sheet available

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. 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

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.

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.

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 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.