ABS/PC Plastic Enclosures Vacuum Formed in 8 mm for Food Processing

These ABS/PC plastic enclosures are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for food processing. They are formed from ABS/PC sheet at 8 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/PC 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
• material certificates with every batch

Typical applications

• mixer covers
• conveyor guards
• product trays
• washdown panels
• plastic enclosures used across general food processing 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. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
4. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: ABS/PC

ABS/PC carries higher heat resistance than ABS alone, which matters for housings around motors, drives and power electronics.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• satin finish
• as formed gloss
• silk screened markings
• 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.

• ISO 9001 quality system
• food contact declarations available
• 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 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.

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current plastic enclosures 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.