recycled HDPE Seat Shells Vacuum Formed in 12 mm for Water Treatment

These recycled HDPE seat shells are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for water treatment. They are formed from recycled HDPE sheet at 12 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
• recycled HDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Two coat polyurethane paint 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
• RoHS compliant grades available

Typical applications

• channel covers
• control panel shells
• dosing tank liners
• filter housings
• seat shells used across general water treatment builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: recycled HDPE

Recycled HDPE sheet lowers material cost and supports sustainability targets, with mechanical properties close to virgin sheet for non critical parts.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• two coat polyurethane paint
• hot stamped accents
• anti graffiti 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. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• material certificates with every batch
• REACH compliant sheet available
• dimension reports with every release

Packing and delivery

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

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 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.