Thick Gauge flame retardant ABS Hoppers in 8 mm – Hvac Equipment Range

These flame retardant ABS hoppers are thick gauge vacuum formed parts supplied to drawing for HVAC equipment. They are formed from flame retardant ABS sheet at 8 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
• flame retardant ABS keeps the weight down while stiffness is held through the formed shape
• Soft touch 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
• dimension reports with every release

Typical applications

• condensate trays
• fan shrouds
• unit covers
• duct end caps
• hoppers used across general HVAC equipment builds

How it is made

1. The part cools on a jig so the shape is held while the material stabilises.
2. Trimming is done on 5-axis routers or with a dedicated trim fixture to meet the drawing.
3. Drawings are reviewed and a manufacturability report is issued with wall thickness, draft and radii marked up.
4. The sheet is formed over the mould with vacuum and, where the draw is deep, with plug assist.
5. Sheet is dried when the material needs it, then heated to forming temperature on the machine.

Material: flame retardant ABS

Flame retardant ABS is specified where the enclosure must meet UL94 V-0 or a comparable rail or appliance standard.

Design notes

• use corner radii of at least three times the sheet thickness to avoid thinning
• call out the finish on the drawing: mould texture, paint, or as-formed gloss
• plan the trim line on a flat face so the router can hold tolerance
• add ribs or returns instead of increasing sheet thickness to save weight and cycle time

Finishing and assembly options

• soft touch coating
• mould texture
• powder coat finish
• 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.

• material certificates with every batch
• REACH compliant sheet available
• PPAP or ISIR on request

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

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.

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 hoppers 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.