Thick Gauge PC/ASA Cable Covers in 8 mm – Laboratory Instruments Range

These PC/ASA cable covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for laboratory instruments. They are formed from PC/ASA sheet at 8 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
• PC/ASA 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

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

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
4. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: PC/ASA

PC/ASA blends impact strength with weatherability, used for outdoor equipment covers that also need to survive knocks.

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• keep a draft angle of at least 3 degrees on vertical walls so the part releases cleanly

Finishing and assembly options

• soft touch coating
• powder coat finish
• as formed gloss
• 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.

• dimension reports with every release
• material certificates with every batch
• REACH compliant sheet available

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 7–15 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.

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 cable covers 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.