Thick Gauge UV stabilised HDPE Plastic Enclosures in 4 mm – Catering And Kitchen Equipment Range

These UV stabilised HDPE plastic enclosures are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for catering and kitchen equipment. They are formed from UV stabilised HDPE sheet at 4 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
• 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
• REACH compliant sheet available

Typical applications

• service trolley trays
• hood panels
• refrigerated well covers
• bain marie liners
• plastic enclosures used across general catering and kitchen equipment builds

How it is made

1. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
2. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
3. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
4. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
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

• 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
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss

Finishing and assembly options

• soft touch coating
• UV stabilised as formed
• EMI shielding coating
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• RoHS compliant grades available
• REACH compliant sheet 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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current plastic enclosures 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.