Sign Faces 12 mm HIPS Supplier for Material Handling Equipment

These HIPS sign faces are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for material handling. They are formed from HIPS 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
• HIPS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Powder coat 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

• tote liners
• pallet tops
• picker truck panels
• conveyor covers
• sign faces used across general material handling builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
3. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: HIPS

HIPS is the low cost route for indoor liners and disposable trays where impact strength is not critical.

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist

Finishing and assembly options

• powder coat finish
• anti graffiti coating
• satin 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• PPAP or ISIR on request
• dimension reports with every release
• RoHS compliant 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

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.

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 sign faces 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.