Wheel Covers 3 mm HIPS Supplier for Aerospace Interiors Equipment

These HIPS wheel covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for aerospace interiors. They are formed from HIPS sheet at 3 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
• 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
• food contact declarations available

Typical applications

• seat back shells
• galley liners
• lavatory panels
• stowage bin trays
• wheel covers used across general aerospace interiors 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. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.

Material: HIPS

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

Design notes

• 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
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• anti static coating
• soft touch 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

First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample. Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch.

• PPAP or ISIR on request
• REACH compliant sheet available
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Packing and delivery

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

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 wheel 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.