TPO Fenders Vacuum Formed in 3 mm for Solar And Wind Energy

These TPO fenders are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for solar and wind energy. They are formed from TPO sheet at 3 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• nacelle access panels
• combiner box housings
• cable covers
• inverter covers
• fenders used across general solar and wind energy builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
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. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

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

• 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
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss

Finishing and assembly options

• as formed gloss
• pad printed logos
• 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
• ISO 9001 quality system
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Packing and delivery

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

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.

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 fenders 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.