polypropylene Light Housings Vacuum Formed in 2 mm for Refrigeration

These polypropylene light housings are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for refrigeration. They are formed from 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
• polypropylene keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Silk screened markings 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

• inner liners
• door panels
• condensate trays
• shelf trays
• light housings used across general refrigeration builds

How it is made

1. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.

Material: polypropylene

Polypropylene survives repeated impact and most cleaning chemicals. Its low forming temperature keeps cycles short, but it shrinks more, so the mould is cut with the shrink factor built in.

Design notes

• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• 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
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• hot stamped accents
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• PPAP or ISIR on request
• dimension reports with every release
• material certificates with every batch

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. 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.

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current light housings 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.