4 mm ABS/PC Fenders Manufacturer for Printing And Packaging Machinery

These ABS/PC fenders are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for printing and packaging machinery. They are formed from ABS/PC sheet at 4 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
• 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
• food contact declarations available

Typical applications

• feeder covers
• waste bins
• ink tray liners
• control panels
• fenders used across general printing and packaging machinery builds

How it is made

1. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: ABS/PC

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

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• matte finish
• anti static coating
• mould texture
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

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

Packing and delivery

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

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 fenders 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.