Tank Liners ASA in 5 mm for Signage And Wayfinding – Formed to Drawing

These ASA tank liners are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for signage and wayfinding. They are formed from ASA sheet at 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
• ASA keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Pad printed logos 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
• material certificates with every batch

Typical applications

• light box covers
• post caps
• direction panel shells
• sign faces
• tank liners used across general signage and wayfinding builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
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. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: ASA

ASA keeps its colour and surface under UV better than ABS, which suits outdoor covers that are not painted.

Design notes

• 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
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• pad printed logos
• anti graffiti coating
• mould texture
• 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. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

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

Packing and delivery

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

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.

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.

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 tank liners 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.