Thick Gauge LDPE Machine Housings in 12 mm – Commercial Laundry Range

These LDPE machine housings are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for commercial laundry. They are formed from LDPE 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
• LDPE keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Silk screened markings 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• drum covers
• control bezels
• machine front panels
• detergent tray liners
• machine housings used across general commercial laundry builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
4. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
5. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.

Material: LDPE

LDPE is flexible and tough in thin section, used for liners and protective covers that have to bend during fitting.

Design notes

• 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
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• soft touch coating
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• food contact declarations available
• dimension reports with every release
• RoHS compliant grades available

Packing and delivery

Large panels are crated in made to measure wooden cases with corner protection. Standard lead time to first article is 2–3 weeks, and repeat releases ship against stored tooling without a new proving run.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.