polycarbonate Carry Cases Vacuum Formed in 12 mm for Garden And Outdoor Power Equipment

These polycarbonate carry cases are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for garden and outdoor power equipment. They are formed from polycarbonate 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
• polycarbonate keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Clear protective film 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
• REACH compliant sheet available

Typical applications

• grass catcher shells
• engine covers
• mower decks
• tool trays
• carry cases used across general garden and outdoor power equipment builds

How it is made

1. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
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. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is used when the housing must survive impact or carry a glazing function. It must be dried before forming or the sheet will bubble.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning

Finishing and assembly options

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

Quality

Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• ISO 9001 quality system
• PPAP or ISIR on request
• food contact declarations available

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. Standard lead time to first article is 2–3 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.

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 carry cases 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.