OEM Cowls TPO in 8 mm for Laboratory Instruments

These TPO cowls are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for laboratory instruments. They are formed from TPO sheet at 8 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
• TPO keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• As formed gloss 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• instrument covers
• fume hood liners
• sample tray systems
• analyser housings
• cowls used across general laboratory instruments builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
3. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
4. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: TPO

TPO sheet is used where the part lives outdoors: it stays flexible in the cold and resists UV without a coating.

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
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

• as formed gloss
• anti static coating
• hot stamped accents
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• RoHS compliant grades available
• ISO 9001 quality system
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. 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

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.

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 cowls 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.