OEM Fenders HDPE in 4 mm for Textile Machinery

These HDPE fenders are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for textile machinery. They are formed from HDPE sheet at 4 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
• HDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Mould texture 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• machine side covers
• thread guide covers
• guard panels
• lint trays
• fenders used across general textile machinery builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
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. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: HDPE

HDPE is chosen for chemical resistance and impact strength at low temperature. It needs more heat and a longer cooling cycle than ABS, and it is painted only after flame or plasma treatment.

Design notes

• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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

• mould texture
• anti graffiti coating
• soft touch coating
• 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.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• ISO 9001 quality system
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 10–15 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.

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.

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 fenders 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.