12 mm ABS/PC Cart Panels Manufacturer for Laboratory Instruments

These ABS/PC cart panels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for laboratory instruments. They are formed from ABS/PC 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
• ABS/PC keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Anti graffiti 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
• food contact declarations available

Typical applications

• analyser housings
• instrument covers
• fume hood liners
• sample tray systems
• cart panels used across general laboratory instruments 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. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: ABS/PC

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

Design notes

• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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

• anti graffiti coating
• UV stabilised as formed
• anti static 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. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• food contact declarations available
• ISO 9001 quality system
• dimension reports with every release

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. 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

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.

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 cart panels 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.