polycarbonate Storage Bins Vacuum Formed in 12 mm for Marine And Boat Building

These polycarbonate storage bins are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for marine and boat building. They are formed from polycarbonate 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
• polycarbonate keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Satin finish 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
• ISO 9001 quality system

Typical applications

• console shells
• seat bases
• hatch covers
• battery box liners
• storage bins used across general marine and boat building builds

How it is made

1. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
2. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
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: polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is used when the housing must survive impact or carry a glazing function. It must be dried before forming or the sheet will bubble.

Design notes

• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface
• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance

Finishing and assembly options

• satin finish
• EMI shielding coating
• matte finish
• Threaded inserts, PEM fasteners and brackets fitted before dispatch
• Mating parts can be trial assembled before the first article ships

Quality

Batch releases carry a dimensional report, material certificate and, where agreed, PPAP or ISIR documentation. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

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

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. Standard lead time to first article is 10–15 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 storage bins 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.