Thick Gauge ABS Equipment Covers in 6 mm – Garden And Outdoor Power Equipment Range

These ABS equipment covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for garden and outdoor power equipment. They are formed from ABS sheet at 6 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
• ABS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Satin finish 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
• RoHS compliant grades available

Typical applications

• mower decks
• tool trays
• engine covers
• grass catcher shells
• equipment covers used across general garden and outdoor power equipment builds

How it is made

1. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
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. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: ABS

ABS is the default choice where the part needs stiffness, a paint finish and clean trimmed edges. It forms evenly, takes texture well and bonds with standard solvents.

Design notes

• 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
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss

Finishing and assembly options

• satin finish
• mould texture
• anti graffiti coating
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• material certificates with every batch
• dimension reports with every release
• RoHS compliant grades available

Packing and delivery

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

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.

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 equipment covers 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.