Protective Guards ABS/PC in 3 mm for Commercial Laundry – Formed to Drawing

These ABS/PC protective guards are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for commercial laundry. They are formed from ABS/PC 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
• ABS/PC 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
• food contact declarations available

Typical applications

• detergent tray liners
• drum covers
• machine front panels
• control bezels
• protective guards used across general commercial laundry 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. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.

Material: ABS/PC

ABS/PC carries higher heat resistance than ABS alone, which matters for housings around motors, drives and power electronics.

Design notes

• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• 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

• EMI shielding coating
• UV stabilised as formed
• silk screened markings
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Moulds, trim fixtures and programmes are stored against the part number, so a repeat order matches the first batch. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• PPAP or ISIR on request
• food contact declarations available
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Packing and delivery

Parts are stacked with interleaved film and packed in export cartons on pallets. 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

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 protective guards 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.