Thick Gauge UV stabilised HDPE Wheel Covers in 5 mm – Textile Machinery Range

These UV stabilised HDPE wheel covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for textile machinery. They are formed from UV stabilised HDPE sheet at 5 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
• UV stabilised HDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Clear protective film 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

• machine side covers
• thread guide covers
• lint trays
• guard panels
• wheel covers used across general textile machinery builds

How it is made

1. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
2. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
5. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: UV stabilised HDPE

UV stabilised HDPE is the standard answer for outdoor tanks, agricultural hoppers and marine hardware that see direct sun.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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

• clear protective film
• mould texture
• soft touch 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• material certificates with every batch
• UL94 V-0 grades available
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. Standard lead time to first article is 3–4 weeks, 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 wheel 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.