HIPS Wheel Covers Vacuum Formed in 3 mm for Marine And Boat Building

These HIPS wheel covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for marine and boat building. 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
• Hot stamped accents 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• hatch covers
• battery box liners
• seat bases
• console shells
• wheel covers used across general marine and boat building 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. 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. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: HIPS

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

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
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly

Finishing and assembly options

• hot stamped accents
• silk screened markings
• anti static coating
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• RoHS compliant grades available
• PPAP or ISIR on request
• 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

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.

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 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.