Seat Shells 12 mm ESD safe ABS Supplier for Laboratory Instruments Equipment

These ESD safe ABS seat shells are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for laboratory instruments. They are formed from ESD safe ABS sheet at 12 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
• ESD safe ABS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Uv stabilised as formed 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
• fume hood liners
• instrument covers
• sample tray systems
• seat shells used across general laboratory instruments builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
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. 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: ESD safe ABS

ESD safe ABS keeps surface resistivity in the dissipative range, used for electronics carriers, tray systems and equipment covers in assembly areas.

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
• 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

• UV stabilised as formed
• clear protective film
• pad printed logos
• 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. Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch.

• ISO 9001 quality system
• food contact declarations available
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

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

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current seat shells 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.