Thick Gauge HIPS Wheel Covers in 4 mm – Refrigeration Range

These HIPS wheel covers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for refrigeration. They are formed from HIPS 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
• HIPS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Hot stamped accents 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

• condensate trays
• inner liners
• shelf trays
• door panels
• wheel covers used across general refrigeration builds

How it is made

1. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
2. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
3. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
4. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
5. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.

Material: HIPS

HIPS is the low cost route for indoor liners and disposable trays where impact strength is not critical.

Design notes

• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• 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

Finishing and assembly options

• hot stamped accents
• EMI shielding coating
• 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. Sheet thickness is checked on the formed part at the points shown on the drawing, and the readings go into the report.

• RoHS compliant grades available
• food contact declarations available
• material certificates with every batch

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

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.

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.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current wheel covers 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.