food grade polypropylene Control Panels Vacuum Formed in 2 mm for Catering And Kitchen Equipment

These food grade polypropylene control panels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for catering and kitchen equipment. They are formed from food grade polypropylene 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
• food grade polypropylene keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Anti graffiti coating 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
• REACH compliant sheet available

Typical applications

• refrigerated well covers
• bain marie liners
• service trolley trays
• hood panels
• control panels used across general catering and kitchen equipment builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
2. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
3. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
4. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: food grade polypropylene

Food grade polypropylene is used for trays, hoppers and liners that touch product, and it can be washed with caustic cleaners.

Design notes

• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist

Finishing and assembly options

• anti graffiti coating
• pad printed logos
• clear protective film
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• ISO 9001 quality system
• material certificates with every batch
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 3–4 weeks, and repeat releases ship against stored tooling without a new proving run.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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 control panels 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.