Access Panels HIPS in 1.5 mm for Hydroponics And Greenhouse – Formed to Drawing

These HIPS access panels are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for hydroponics and greenhouse. They are formed from HIPS sheet at 1.5 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
• Anti graffiti 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
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Typical applications

• grow trays
• reservoir liners
• channel covers
• seedling trays
• access panels used across general hydroponics and greenhouse 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. Tooling is cut: aluminium for production volumes, composite or printed moulds for samples and first articles.
3. Parts are inspected, fitted with inserts or hardware if required, packed and shipped.
4. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.
5. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.

Material: HIPS

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

Design notes

• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• hold the draw ratio near 1:1 for deep parts, or specify plug assist
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• avoid sharp steps in the mould, which show as chill marks on the finished surface

Finishing and assembly options

• anti graffiti coating
• as formed gloss
• two coat polyurethane paint
• 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. First article inspection covers critical dimensions, wall thickness, colour and texture against the approved sample.

• dimension reports with every release
• food contact declarations available
• PPAP or ISIR on request

Packing and delivery

Parts are nested to save freight, with returnable dunnage available on repeat routes. 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.

Can you make it in another material?

Any grade in this family can be swapped in. Send the requirement and the material will be quoted with the price difference shown.

Request a quotation

Send the drawing or a photo of the current access panels 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.