5 features of vacuum forming you hadn't expected
Vacuum forming isn't just about making simple shapes from a plastic sheet with a heat gun & a vacuum cleaner. When designed well and when using suitable machines, custom vacuum formed products can be made with a range of useful and detailed features - here's our guide to some often overlooked possibilities. (And if you can't remember how vacuum forming works, have a look here.) |
1. Nesting & stacking trays
A simple sorting or transportation tray can become so much more useful if the pockets are designed to nest inside each other, saving space and providing a close-fitting lid for each pocket at the same time. Stacking trays sit securely on top of each other, protecting the components from the weight of the loaded trays placed on top. |
section view of nested trays
section view of stacked trays |
2. Finger recesses, grip features & slots
Trays can be made with very tight fitting pockets and grips so that the content is secure. Finger recesses make it easy to get the content out while maintaining protection. Slots can be used to slide in and secure a product, for example memory chips. |
grips and finger recesses |
3. Embossed or engraved text or images
Text features can be very useful for brand promotion, presentation or identification purposes and counting. |
slot ID numbers |
engraved vacuum formed text |
4. Snap-shut features
Most people will know this feature from shop-bought sandwich packs, which hinge and snap shut easily. Clamshell packaging is most often made in vast quantities, but we can make small quantities for you. |
snap-shut clamshell packaging with easy open tabs |
5. Colours & effects
A range of colours is available, but did you know that vacuum formed parts can be made from plastics sheets with other coatings & finishes ? |
10+ standard colours |
| Parts can be made with standard finishes like gloss & matt, but also mirror, pinseal & carbon fibre effect for some materials. |
pinseal, gloss & carbon fibre |
| In addition to Antistatic grades & UV stabilised grades, items can be made from flocked plastic to improve the appearance of your parts - view our materials guide. |
flocked (felt) coated plastics |
And if all else fails
If it isn't possible to design the required features within the possibilities of the vacuum forming process, we can add features like cable holes, slots, apertures, handles and custom shaped outlines to your parts by machining them afterwards.
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Did you know ?
For low quantity parts, vacuum forming tools can be made out of WOOD, or if you have an existing part, a RESIN cast tool can be made from that. Your product could be in production within days ! Here's a case study. |
Resin Cast Tool |
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We hope we've given you some ideas and a new appreciation of the vacuum forming process. Want to know more ? Have a look at our vacuum forming gallery, browse our range of 150+ standard trays or get in touch with your requirements.
With best wishes,
Sonja van Leeuwen,
Marketing Coordinator
Toolcraft Plastics (Swindon) Ltd, Tel:
01793-641040 |