Thick Gauge HIPS Component Trays in 4 mm – Industrial Robotics Range

These HIPS component trays are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for industrial robotics. They are formed from HIPS 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
• HIPS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Soft touch coating 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
• RoHS compliant grades available

Typical applications

• robot base covers
• controller housings
• cable trays
• teach pendant cases
• component trays used across general industrial robotics builds

How it is made

1. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
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

• 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

• soft touch coating
• two coat polyurethane paint
• anti static coating
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• food contact declarations available
• dimension reports with every release
• material certificates with every batch

Packing and delivery

Each part is bagged, edges protected with foam, then cartonised for container loading. 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

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 component trays 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.