1.5 mm Kydex acrylic PVC Protective Guards Manufacturer for Laboratory Instruments

These Kydex acrylic PVC protective guards are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for laboratory instruments. They are formed from Kydex acrylic PVC 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
• Kydex acrylic PVC 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• analyser housings
• sample tray systems
• instrument covers
• fume hood liners
• protective guards used across general laboratory instruments builds

How it is made

1. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
2. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
5. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.

Material: Kydex acrylic PVC

Kydex acrylic PVC sheet is specified for interior trim that must resist scuffing and meet fire, smoke and toxicity rules.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

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

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• ISO 9001 quality system
• material certificates with every batch

Packing and delivery

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

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.

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current protective guards 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.