Centre Consoles PMMA acrylic in 8 mm for Garden And Outdoor Power Equipment – Formed to Drawing

These PMMA acrylic centre consoles are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for garden and outdoor power equipment. They are formed from PMMA acrylic sheet at 8 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
• PMMA acrylic keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Powder coat 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
• ISO 9001 quality system

Typical applications

• tool trays
• engine covers
• grass catcher shells
• mower decks
• centre consoles used across general garden and outdoor power 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. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
3. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
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: PMMA acrylic

PMMA gives the glossiest surface and the best UV stability, which is why it is used for light housings and outdoor sign faces.

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
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• powder coat finish
• matte finish
• as formed gloss
• 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. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• REACH compliant sheet available
• RoHS compliant grades available
• material certificates with every batch

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. Standard lead time to first article is 2–3 weeks, 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.

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.

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 centre consoles 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.