OEM Light Housings UV stabilised HDPE in 5 mm for Solar And Wind Energy

These UV stabilised HDPE light housings are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for solar and wind energy. They are formed from UV stabilised HDPE 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
• UV stabilised HDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Emi shielding 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

• inverter covers
• combiner box housings
• cable covers
• nacelle access panels
• light housings used across general solar and wind energy builds

How it is made

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

Material: UV stabilised HDPE

UV stabilised HDPE is the standard answer for outdoor tanks, agricultural hoppers and marine hardware that see direct sun.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• 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
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• EMI shielding coating
• powder coat finish
• anti graffiti 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. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• REACH compliant sheet available
• RoHS compliant 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 7–15 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.

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.

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 light 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.