Thick Gauge PC/ASA Machine Housings in 4 mm – Rail Transit Interiors Range

These PC/ASA machine housings are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for rail transit interiors. They are formed from PC/ASA sheet at 4 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
• PC/ASA keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Soft touch coating 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

• ceiling end caps
• luggage rack trays
• wall panels
• seat shells
• machine housings used across general rail transit interiors builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: PC/ASA

PC/ASA blends impact strength with weatherability, used for outdoor equipment covers that also need to survive knocks.

Design notes

• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly

Finishing and assembly options

• soft touch coating
• pad printed logos
• mould texture
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

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

• RoHS compliant grades available
• material certificates with every batch
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current machine housings 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.