OEM Dashboards PVC in 12 mm for Defence And Security Equipment

These PVC dashboards are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for defence and security equipment. They are formed from PVC sheet at 12 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
• PVC keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Two coat polyurethane paint 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• console covers
• case shells
• transport trays
• antenna covers
• dashboards used across general defence and security equipment builds

How it is made

1. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.

Material: PVC

PVC sheet brings flame retardancy and chemical resistance at a low price, common in equipment covers and clean room panels.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface

Finishing and assembly options

• two coat polyurethane paint
• anti graffiti coating
• powder coat finish
• 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. Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• material certificates with every batch
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

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

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 dashboards 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.