flame retardant ABS Machine Housings Vacuum Formed in 3 mm for Defence And Security Equipment

These flame retardant ABS machine housings are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for defence and security equipment. They are formed from flame retardant ABS sheet at 3 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
• flame retardant ABS 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• case shells
• transport trays
• console covers
• antenna covers
• machine housings used across general defence and security equipment builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
3. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: flame retardant ABS

Flame retardant ABS is specified where the enclosure must meet UL94 V-0 or a comparable rail or appliance standard.

Design notes

• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• soft touch coating
• anti graffiti coating
• anti static coating
• 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.

• REACH compliant sheet available
• material certificates with every batch
• 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 3–4 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.

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 machine housings 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.