Protective Guards PMMA acrylic in 12 mm for Catering And Kitchen Equipment – Formed to Drawing

These PMMA acrylic protective guards are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for catering and kitchen equipment. They are formed from PMMA acrylic 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
• PMMA acrylic 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
• UL94 V-0 grades available

Typical applications

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

How it is made

1. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
2. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
5. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.

Material: PMMA acrylic

PMMA gives the glossiest surface and the best UV stability, which is why it is used for light housings and outdoor sign faces.

Design notes

• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss

Finishing and assembly options

• silk screened markings
• as formed gloss
• satin finish
• 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. Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation.

• UL94 V-0 grades available
• REACH compliant sheet available
• RoHS compliant 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.

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 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.