recycled HDPE Component Trays Vacuum Formed in 6 mm for Hydroponics And Greenhouse

These recycled HDPE component trays are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for hydroponics and greenhouse. They are formed from recycled HDPE 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
• recycled HDPE 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• channel covers
• seedling trays
• reservoir liners
• grow trays
• component trays used across general hydroponics and greenhouse builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
2. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
3. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.

Material: recycled HDPE

Recycled HDPE sheet lowers material cost and supports sustainability targets, with mechanical properties close to virgin sheet for non critical parts.

Design notes

• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• 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
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• as formed gloss
• powder coat finish
• soft touch coating
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation. 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
• material certificates with every batch
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 7–15 working days, 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 component trays 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.