polycarbonate Hoppers Vacuum Formed in 10 mm for Retail Display

These polycarbonate hoppers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for retail display. They are formed from polycarbonate 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
• polycarbonate keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Uv stabilised as formed 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

• display shells
• shelf trays
• counter risers
• header panels
• hoppers used across general retail display builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
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. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is used when the housing must survive impact or carry a glazing function. It must be dried before forming or the sheet will bubble.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• UV stabilised as formed
• anti static coating
• mould texture
• 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.

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

Packing and delivery

Parts are stacked with interleaved film and packed in export cartons on pallets. 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

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.

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 hoppers 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.