OEM Equipment Covers HDPE in 1.5 mm for Truck And Bus

These HDPE equipment covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for truck and bus. They are formed from HDPE sheet at 1.5 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
• HDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Matte 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
• RoHS compliant grades available

Typical applications

• stepwell panels
• engine tunnel covers
• bunk liners
• interior trim panels
• equipment covers used across general truck and bus builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
3. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
4. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: HDPE

HDPE is chosen for chemical resistance and impact strength at low temperature. It needs more heat and a longer cooling cycle than ABS, and it is painted only after flame or plasma treatment.

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
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• matte finish
• mould texture
• two coat polyurethane paint
• 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. 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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current equipment 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.