Thick Gauge LDPE Centre Consoles in 6 mm – Truck And Bus Range

These LDPE centre consoles are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for truck and bus. They are formed from LDPE sheet at 6 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
• LDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Silk screened markings 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

• interior trim panels
• stepwell panels
• bunk liners
• engine tunnel covers
• centre consoles used across general truck and bus builds

How it is made

1. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: LDPE

LDPE is flexible and tough in thin section, used for liners and protective covers that have to bend during fitting.

Design notes

• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly
• 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
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• as formed gloss
• clear protective film
• 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.

• RoHS compliant grades available
• UL94 V-0 grades available
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

Parts are stacked with interleaved film and packed in export cartons on pallets. Standard lead time to first article is 10–15 working days, 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.

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 centre consoles 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.