ESD safe ABS Skid Plates Vacuum Formed in 10 mm for Fitness Equipment

These ESD safe ABS skid plates are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for fitness equipment. They are formed from ESD safe ABS sheet at 10 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
• ESD safe ABS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Emi shielding 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
• material certificates with every batch

Typical applications

• weight stack shrouds
• seat shells
• treadmill motor covers
• console housings
• skid plates used across general fitness equipment builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: ESD safe ABS

ESD safe ABS keeps surface resistivity in the dissipative range, used for electronics carriers, tray systems and equipment covers in assembly areas.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• EMI shielding coating
• powder coat finish
• matte finish
• 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. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• material certificates with every batch
• food contact declarations available
• REACH compliant sheet available

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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current skid plates 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.