TPO Hoods Vacuum Formed in 2 mm for Playground Equipment

These TPO hoods are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for playground equipment. They are formed from TPO 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
• TPO keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Matte finish 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
• seat buckets
• panel covers
• climbing tower caps
• hoods used across general playground equipment 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. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.

Material: TPO

TPO sheet is used where the part lives outdoors: it stays flexible in the cold and resists UV without a coating.

Design notes

• 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
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• matte finish
• UV stabilised as formed
• pad printed logos
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

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

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.

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 hoods 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.