Based in Bell Gardens, CA, Acrylic Co of California specializes in custom fabrication services for acrylic and other plastic materials. They likely provide a range of manufacturing capabilities, including vacuum forming, to businesses across various industries, serving B2B customers.
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Vacuum Forming Companies
Last updated: January 2026
This directory lists 90 vacuum forming companies across the United States, from thin-gauge packaging specialists to heavy-gauge industrial part manufacturers.
Buyers are often solving challenges like creating large format enclosures that are lighter than fabricated sheet metal, developing custom material handling dunnage with specific ESD properties, or producing consumer product components with complex textures. Key considerations include achieving tight tolerances on critical features, minimizing webbing, and ensuring uniform material distribution across the form.
The vacuum forming landscape includes specialists in thin-gauge forming primarily for packaging and disposable items, distinct from heavy-gauge formers producing durable industrial components, covers, and structural parts. Some suppliers excel in rapid prototyping with low-cost tooling, while others are geared for high-volume production, offering advanced automation for de-nesting and robotic trimming.
Company Directory
90 companies nationwide
Advanced Plastiform, Inc. provides custom heavy-gauge thermoforming, including vacuum, pressure, and twin-sheet forming. They also offer injection molding, CNC trimming, and value-added assembly for plastic products. Serving automotive, medical, aerospace, furniture, and shipping industries, the company delivers quality custom solutions.
Based in Chino, CA, Amron Manufacturing specializes in plastic thermoforming and urethane foam molding. They serve aerospace, medical, automotive, and other consumer industries with high-quality products. Amron offers in-house part design assistance, Mastercam, Solidworks, and tooling services, leveraging a vast material supplier base.
Asil Aerospace is a US manufacturer of advanced composite structures and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, and space industries. Based in Chatsworth, CA, the company provides comprehensive composite manufacturing services, including vacuum forming, vacuum bagging, autoclave curing, and CNC machining, serving B2B clients with specialized fabrication needs.
ATI Plastics, based in San Marcos, CA, is a plastic fabrication facility offering custom plastic solutions. They specialize in vacuum forming, plastic fabrication, machining, and welding. The company is dedicated to producing high-quality products that meet precise specifications for various industrial and commercial needs.
Based in Austin, TX, Austin Plastics & Supply, Inc. offers custom plastic fabrication, including thermoforming, CNC machining, cutting, and adhesive bonding. They utilize acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC, and other specialty materials for clients in Electrical, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Semiconductor, and Technology.
Based in Fremont, CA, Bayview Plastic Solutions operates as a plastic fabrication and custom manufacturing job shop. They utilize a modern production facility for prototyping and production needs, serving diverse industries including medical devices, transportation, technology, and retail. Their capabilities support product designers and engineers.
Blackwell Plastics, LP, based in Houston, TX, specializes in custom plastic thermoforming, offering vacuum and pressure forming services. They provide comprehensive solutions from design to fabrication, CNC machining, and assembly. Utilizing various thermoplastic materials, the company produces custom industrial and commercial components and parts.
Bo-Mer Custom Manufacturing, based in Auburn, NY, specializes in custom thermoforming, including vacuum forming, pressure forming, and other plastic forming services. They also provide rotational molding and metal fabrication. Catering to diverse industries from corporations to small businesses, Bo-Mer has delivered manufacturing solutions since 1946.
Bolero Plastics, based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, provides custom plastic thermoforming and fabrication services. Specializing in vacuum forming and pressure forming, they offer in-house CNC trimming, assembly, and rapid prototyping. They serve diverse B2B industries including medical, aerospace, and industrial clients.
C&K Plastics, established in 1963, is an experienced thermoforming company leveraging state-of-the-art capabilities. Specializing in advanced thermoforming, including vacuum forming, they produce high-precision plastic parts. The company serves various industrial and commercial sectors, offering custom manufacturing solutions backed by decades of expertise.
Cary Products is an ISO 9001:2015-certified plastic manufacturer based in Hutchins, TX. They specialize in thermoforming and plastic injection molding, utilizing advanced 3D design and tooling. The company produces durable, custom plastic parts for diverse industries, including automotive, HVAC, medical, and energy sectors.
Central Plastics, located in Tracy, CA, specializes in custom thermoforming and plastic injection molding. They manufacture high-quality plastic components for diverse markets including healthcare, aerospace, defense, and electronics. As an ISO 13485:2016 and AS 9100 Rev D. certified molder, the company ensures stringent quality standards.
Chadpak Co., Inc. specializes in visual display packaging solutions. With over 30 years of experience, they provide skin and blister packaging, printed folding cartons, and custom corrugated boxes. The company evaluates customer products to recommend appropriate packaging materials and equipment for specific needs.
Based in Whiting, IN, Cooper Plastics is a custom plastic manufacturer specializing in transforming thermoplastic materials into dependable plastic parts. Established in 2023, their capabilities include thermoforming, sheet extrusion, rotational molding, and injection molding, serving clients with custom plastic fabrication needs.
Based in Alton, IL, Cope Plastics provides extensive vacuum forming services within its comprehensive fabrication capabilities. This family and woman-owned company, operating since 1946, also serves as a major distributor of performance plastics, offering tailored solutions for diverse commercial and industrial applications.
CW Thomas, based in Philadelphia, PA, offers prototype to production vacuum and pressure forming. Services include in-house tooling, CNC trimming, assembly, and various finishes for diverse materials. Catering to B2B clients, including medical technology, they uphold AS9100/ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
Dordan Manufacturing designs and produces custom thermoformed packaging solutions, including trays, clamshells, blisters, and dunnage trays. Serving medical, automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors since 1962, the company offers specialized capabilities, leveraging cleanroom thermoforming for diverse B2B applications.
ClearPack Engineering, Inc. is based in Corona, CA, specializing in the manufacturing of superior quality clamshell packaging for various products. The company offers a wide selection, with over 270 designs available, providing competitive pricing for its packaging solutions.
Based in Rittman, OH, Fast Forming, LLC specializes in thermoforming and vacuum forming for custom plastic parts, ranging from large to small. They produce trays, covers, guards, and POP displays, serving aerospace, automotive, marine, robotic, tool, and healthcare industries. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Franks Manufacturing, based in San Antonio, TX, provides custom plastic product manufacturing. Specializing in thermoforming, the company offers design services and mold production. They cater to numerous industries, handling both small and large volume orders. Their client list includes Fortune 500 companies, ensuring quality plastic parts.
Based in Frankston, TX, Frankston Packaging is a custom plastic thermoforming company specializing in vacuum forming services. They manufacture custom plastic packaging, including blister packaging, clamshells, and trays, in addition to point-of-purchase displays. With in-house design, tooling, and production capabilities, they serve B2B customers across diverse industries throughout the United States.
Based in Oakland, CA, Golden Plastics Corporation is a full-service custom thermoforming company. They specialize in heavy gauge cut sheet vacuum, pressure, and twin sheet forming. Serving transportation, electronics, and communication industries, Golden Plastics handles projects from prototype to production.
Good Natured Products Inc. specializes in custom thermoformed packaging and bio-based plastic extrusion. The company focuses on sustainable solutions, utilizing renewable, plant-based materials to create practical options for everyday items, serving industries such as bakers and growers with environmentally conscious products.
General Packaging Corporation, based in Richardson, TX, specializes in custom thermoformed packaging solutions. They provide vacuum forming and pressure forming services for a diverse range of industries, including medical, electronics, consumer goods, automotive, and industrial applications.
Based in Bedford, NH, Gregstrom Corporation is a custom rotational molder and heavy gauge thermoformer. For nearly 70 years, this family-owned company has provided plastic parts and components for various industrial and commercial applications, including medical devices.
Hagans Plastics Co., Inc., based in Grand Prairie, TX, specializes in custom plastic thermoforming, including vacuum, pressure, and twin sheet forming. They also provide injection molding, 5-axis CNC machining, and design optimization services. Recognized as the 2023 Thermoformer of the Year, the company serves diverse industrial clients.
Based in San Antonio, TX, Helmy Plastics specializes in custom thin and heavy gauge thermoforming solutions. With 35 years of experience, they offer end-to-end services from concept and design to prototyping, tooling, and full-scale production, including CNC plastic trimming for various industries.
Hill Plastics Inc., based in Lewisville, TX, specializes in custom thermoforming and vacuum forming. They offer high-volume, cost-effective plastic fabrication, mold making, and product design assistance. With 8 machines, advanced CNC routing, and expert CAD, they deliver precise, tailored solutions.
Based in Portland, OR, Indepak, Inc. specializes in custom thermoformed plastic packaging solutions. They offer comprehensive services including design, prototyping, tooling, and precision thermoforming for a wide range of industries. The company provides inventory management and serves customers across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Based in Ventura, CA, Industrial Forming offers over 20 years of experience in vacuum thermoforming. They specialize in producing both thin and thick gauge plastic products, serving a diverse range of industrial customers.
Based in Vernon, CA, Kal Plastics specializes in vacuum forming services for various industries. They design and develop product casings for exercise equipment manufacturers and handle specialized, medium-run projects. The company also produces high-quality plastic bins and boxes, available in virgin, post-industrial, or post-consumer materials.
Based in Anaheim, CA, Kiva Container specializes in custom plastic packaging manufacturing. They provide comprehensive vacuum forming and thermoforming services, creating products ranging from light gauge trays, blisters, and clamshells to heavy-duty, deep draw totes and pallets. Additionally, Kiva offers corrugated plastic fabrication and integrated ESD packaging solutions.
Based in Escondido, CA, Lormac Plastics specializes in vacuum forming of quality plastic parts. Operating since 1966 with over 40 years of experience, the company provides in-house tooling, fabrication, and painting capabilities. They serve commercial and industrial clients across Southern California from multiple production facilities.
Based in Burlingame, CA, Merrill's Packaging provides critical packaging solutions with over 60 years of experience. Specializing in medical thermoforming, their engineering team designs and manufactures custom packaging. They create new designs or reverse engineer existing ones, focusing on quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for diverse client needs.
Based in San Marcos, CA, MGM Plastics is a family-owned custom plastic fabrication and machining shop. Since 1980, they have specialized in creating tailor-made parts and products from materials like acrylic and polycarbonate. Serving diverse B2B clients, they offer services including welding, fabrication, and CNC routing.
Based in Erie, PA, Munot Plastics Inc. is a custom thermoformer specializing in plastic blisters, clamshells, and trays. Providing packaging solutions since 1963, the company offers design, tooling manufacturing, and production services to create protective packaging for diverse industries.
Based in Westminster, CA, New Technology Plastics provides custom plastic thermoforming and assembly services. They offer comprehensive plastics manufacturing, including machining, fabrication, engineering, and in-house tooling. The company also distributes a wide selection of general-purpose and high-performance plastics, serving aerospace, medical, food-processing, and general OEM industries.
Based in Anaheim, CA, Orange County Industrial Plastics (OCIP) specializes in plastic fabrication and visual merchandising. Since 1982, the company designs, engineers, and manufactures custom POP displays and components. Services include bending, forming, bonding, and laser cutting, utilizing a variety of premium plastic materials for diverse applications.
Based in Batavia, OH, Orbit Manufacturing, Inc. specializes in plastic fabrication services. Their comprehensive facility offers capabilities like CNC routing, sawing, drilling, drape forming, strip heating, and assembly of various plastic materials. They focus on delivering high-quality, competitively priced products to meet diverse customer specifications for plastic manufacturing needs.
Based in Louisville, KY, Owings Patterns offers complete thermoforming and engineering services. They specialize in custom plastic thermoforming, product design, prototyping, and in-house tooling. The company provides reliable, precise plastic fabrication for various industrial and commercial products, from prototype to production.
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Product Design Development, Inc. provides custom plastic thermoforming and vacuum forming services. Offerings include deep draw, twin sheet, and heavy gauge forming, with full fabrication and assembly. Serving industries like aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and packaging, they deliver prototype to production solutions.
Based in San Jose, CA, Peak Technology Enterprises, Inc. is an ISO 9001 certified, woman-owned manufacturer. They offer integrated advanced manufacturing services, including vacuum forming, CNC machining, and 3D printing. With 50+ years experience, Peak supports OEMs with rapid prototyping and assemblies for aerospace, biomedical, and high-tech applications.
Based in Tomball, TX, PFI Plastics Inc. specializes in custom plastic manufacturing services. The company offers extensive thermoforming and vacuum forming capabilities, producing parts from thin gauge films to thick sheet materials. They also provide machined, extruded, molded, bonded, and fabricated plastics for diverse industrial applications.
Plastic & Metal Center Inc. specializes in custom plastic and metal fabrication, offering vacuum forming, thermoforming, and CNC machining services. Based in Laguna Hills, CA, the company provides rapid prototyping, short run, and high-volume production for industries like aerospace, medical, and automotive.
Based in Sun Valley, CA, Plastic Depot provides comprehensive plastic and metal fabrication services. Their offerings include vacuum forming, CNC routing, laser cutting, and blow molded domes. They also specialize in acrylic display fabrication, metal plasma cutting, and welding for diverse commercial projects.
PMT specializes in heavy-gauge thermoforming for durable, highly cosmetic, and close-tolerance large plastic parts. The company provides comprehensive custom plastic molding services for diverse industrial applications. They focus on precision manufacturing, delivering robust and specialized plastic solutions tailored to client specifications.
Based in Rhome, TX, Plasti-Fab Of Texas is an experienced vacuum forming company with over 30 years in the industry. They perform in-house plastic vacuum forming projects, leveraging 5-axis and dual-head CNC machines for precise cutting and quick turnaround times. The company also handles complex plastic bonding and assembly.
Prent Corporation specializes in thermoform packaging, providing custom thermoformed trays for medical devices, electronics, and other sensitive products. The company offers comprehensive packaging solutions tailored to meet diverse industrial and commercial needs.
Based in Benicia, CA, Rapid Accu-Form, Inc. specializes in vacuum, pressure, and thermoforming of plastics. They provide in-house tooling and CNC mold-making for parts up to 0.500″ thick. Serving industries like medical, automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics, they offer solutions for complex plastic requirements.
RapidMade specializes in custom thermoformed parts, trays, and durable products, utilizing rapid tooling and expert engineering. They serve demanding industrial and commercial sectors, including robotics, aerospace, automotive, and heavy industry, providing tailored solutions from their US facility.
Based in Ontario, CA, Ray Products is a third-generation family-owned custom plastic part manufacturer. They specialize in advanced heavy gauge thermoforming solutions, offering large part vacuum forming up to 10′ x 18′, pressure forming, and robotic trimming. The company provides ISO 9001:2015 certified contract manufacturing.
Based in Birmingham, AL, RFP LLC provides comprehensive plastic vacuum forming and thermoforming services. Their capabilities include prototype mold fabrication, 5-axis CNC part routing, and assembly for custom plastic components. They serve a wide range of industries such as Medical Device, Consumer Products, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Agricultural, and Material Handling.
Based in Cerritos, CA, S.F. TECHNOLOGY is a custom plastic thermoforming company specializing in vacuum and pressure forming services. They offer comprehensive capabilities including CNC trimming, design, development, and manufacturing of custom plastic parts for diverse industrial applications.
StockCap manufactures a wide variety of thin gauge thermoformed solutions and products. All thermoforming products are proudly manufactured within the United States, offering diverse capabilities for various applications.
Based in Fremont, OH, Techniform Industries, Inc. is a custom plastic thermoformer providing full-service solutions. The company specializes in creating custom thermoformed parts through vacuum forming, pressure forming, and twin sheet forming techniques, leveraging expertise developed since 1972.
The Pro Design Group, based in Gardena, CA, specializes in plastic vacuum and pressure forming. They utilize high-capacity rotary vacuum formers for various production needs, offering comprehensive services like production thermoforming, 3D printing, tooling, and 5-axis CNC machining for industrial clients.
Based in Kyle, TX, CPITX specializes in precision die cutting and vacuum forming, providing solutions for prototypes and high-volume production. They deliver accurate, clean-cut patterns tailored to specifications, offering design assistance and assembly. CPITX also custom cuts various materials, including non-skid traction pads for marine and vehicle applications.
Based in Westminster, CA, Tru-Form Plastics offers custom thermoforming solutions, specializing in both heavy and thin gauge vacuum forming and pressure forming techniques. They provide comprehensive services including prototyping, in-house tooling, CNC trimming, assembly, and painting. The company serves regulated industries such as medical, aerospace, defense, automotive, and electronics, holding AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.
Covina, CA-based Universal Plastifab, Inc. specializes in plastics thermoforming and fabrication. They handle projects of various sizes and material thicknesses, from acrylic to styrene. Capabilities include CNC trimming, die cutting, painting, and design for manufacturability services.
Based in Arnold, MO, VisiPak specializes in thermoformed thin-gauge packaging solutions, offering both custom and stock transparent clamshells, tubes, and containers. The company's US-based manufacturing capabilities include extrusion, thermoforming, injection molding, and vinyl dip molding for various packaging needs.
Based in Belmont, NC, Wilbert Plastic Services provides heavy-gauge thermoformed parts, plastic components, and assemblies from its four U.S. plants. The company offers advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities to OEMs across industries such as medical, automotive, agriculture, and recreation.
Based in Charlotte, NC, Associated Thermoforming Inc. specializes in custom plastic thermoforming services. They offer vacuum forming, pressure forming, and twin sheet forming capabilities. The company serves industrial manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across diverse sectors, providing tailored plastic solutions.
Based in Greenville, SC, Blue Ridge Thermoforming is a custom vacuum forming manufacturer specializing in thin and heavy gauge plastic packaging and covers. They produce blister packs, clamshells, and machine panels for diverse industries, including food, medical, retail, industrial, and automotive applications.
Based in Ontario, CA, California Quality Plastics offers extensive plastic fabrication services for diverse commercial and industrial needs. They create custom plastic products for the entertainment industry, trade shows, OEM, museums, and military applications. Their divisions also manufacture durable plastic shipping and carrying cases.
Based in Salisbury, NC, Custom Plastic Forming specializes in custom thin- and heavy-gauge thermoforming services. They provide turnkey plastic forming solutions with in-house capabilities and value-added services. The company works with diverse materials such as Kydex, PET, and ABS, serving industries including medical packaging and various product parts.
Based in Jacksonville, TX, D & L Tooling & Plastics Inc. provides custom vacuum forming and plastic fabrication services. Since 1980, the company has specialized in complex thermoforming, CNC routing, and assembly, serving diverse industrial and commercial clients with precise plastic components and products.
Based in Cedar Grove, NJ, EMCO Industrial Plastics, Inc. specializes in custom plastic fabrication. They offer economical vacuum forming and thermoforming for durable parts, alongside CNC machining, laser cutting, and plastic welding. Serving diverse industries from aerospace to medical, EMCO provides comprehensive solutions for many applications.
Based in Houston, TX, Encon Custom Plastics provides custom plastic thermoforming and vacuum forming services. They offer contract manufacturing for projects of all sizes, combining decades of expertise with advanced technology to deliver precise solutions.
Based in South Bend, IN, Elkhart Plastics offers custom thermoforming and rotomolding solutions. The company provides extensive services, including design, engineering, in-house mold making, secondary assembly, and quality assurance. Serving diverse industries, they deliver engineered plastic components and support with logistics expertise.
Howell Plastics, a division of F. M. Howell & Company, specializes in custom thermoforming, including heavy gauge vacuum forming. They offer thick and thin gauge thermoforming from .010 to .500 inches, providing high-quality plastic packaging for the pharmaceutical industry and other sectors.
Based in Nashville, TN, Global Thermoforming is an ISO-certified provider of vacuum forming, thick gauge, and thin gauge thermoforming services. They build their own tools, machines, and extrude material for efficient production. Capabilities include design, machining, and assembly for diverse industrial applications.
Based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Ironwood Packaging LLC is a custom thermoformed plastic packaging manufacturer. They produce quality custom packaging solutions for the cosmetic, food, hardware, personal care, technology, computer, and medical industries.
Based in Macedonia, OH, Joslyn Manufacturing specializes in vacuum forming services, offering flexible and cost-efficient plastic parts. As a one-stop plastic thermoforming company, they provide scalable small production runs with competitive tooling expenses.
Based in Cross Plains, WI, Plastic Ingenuity is a custom thermoformer providing packaging solutions across North America. The company serves the Healthcare, Food, and Consumer Products industries with its extensive experience and global reach, bringing packaging visions to life and scaling products for its diverse clientele.
Plastiform Inc., based in Irving, TX, specializes in custom plastic thermoformed and vacuum formed packaging. They provide product design, prototyping, and mold building for clamshells, insert trays, cushion packaging, and point-of-purchase displays for retail, industrial, medical, and food sectors.
Based in Scandia, MN, PN Products offers custom plastic thermoforming and vacuum forming for thick or thin gauge materials. They provide secondary operations such as trimming, die cutting, packaging, and assembly. Capabilities extend to design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and CNC machining, serving diverse industries like automotive, medical, and industrial.
Productive Plastics is a custom contract manufacturer based in Mount Laurel, NJ, specializing in plastic thermoforming. The company provides both pressure thermoforming and vacuum thermoforming services, producing custom plastic components and parts for industrial and commercial applications.
Priority Prototypes provides vacuum forming services for creating prototypes with specific wall thicknesses. Utilizing production materials like ABS and PETG, they are adept at producing large-scale prototypes. This service helps clients develop and test product designs efficiently.
Based in San Diego, CA, Providien Thermoforming, LLC provides innovative, high-quality thermoformed plastic solutions. They offer manufacturing, design, supply chain, and kitting services, catering to the medical, industrial, aerospace, and automotive industries with precision and speed.
Established in Dallas, Texas, Regal Plastics is a full-service plastics fabricator specializing in custom plastic solutions. They provide comprehensive services including vacuum forming, thermoforming, CNC routing, laser cutting, plastic bending, welding, and molding. The company serves diverse industries with their extensive fabrication capabilities across multiple US locations.
Based in Brainerd, MN, Revolv Manufacturing specializes in custom plastic rotational molding and thermoforming services. The company provides expertise in diverse materials, geometries, and part sizes, offering advanced manufacturing capabilities. They also offer contract assembly services for clients across various industries.
Stamar Packaging provides custom packaging solutions, specializing in skin packaging. This process uses heat sealing to efficiently vacuum form film over various products, ensuring secure and protective packaging. Their expertise centers on creating high-quality, product-specific packaging for diverse industries.
Profile Plastics, Inc. is a dedicated heavy gauge thermoforming company specializing in large plastic parts. They provide comprehensive services including design assistance, custom tooling, and secondary operations like trimming, routing, and assembly. Serving diverse industrial sectors, the company offers tailored solutions from concept to finished product.
T.O. Plastics, Inc. specializes in custom thermoforming, providing plastic product and packaging solutions from concept to manufacturing. With in-house capabilities and tooling, they serve diverse B2B industries including medical, industrial, agriculture, and recreational markets, delivering quality and innovative thermoformed solutions.
Based in Holyoke, MA, Universal Plastics provides custom plastic large part vacuum forming services. The company specializes in manufacturing custom plastic components for a variety of industries.
ARRK North America provides comprehensive product development services, from rapid prototyping to production. Specializing in custom manufacturing, they offer prototype vacuum forming to achieve complex shapes and support clients in accelerating products to market.
Based in Kerrville, TX, All-Plastics, LLC specializes in custom plastic manufacturing services. The company provides a range of fabrication solutions, including vacuum forming, for diverse industrial and commercial applications. They focus on delivering high-quality, precision-engineered plastic components to meet client specifications.
Based in Dallas, Texas, Bill's Plastics Inc. offers custom plastic fabrication services. Specializing in vacuum forming, CNC routing, laser cutting, welding, bending, and polishing, the company provides a comprehensive range of solutions. With over 30 years of experience, they serve diverse commercial and industrial clients.
Based in Kent, OH, Jos-Tech, Inc. specializes in custom thermoforming, including vacuum, pressure, and twin sheet forming. They provide comprehensive plastic fabrication services, such as CNC trimming, assembly, and finishing. The company manufactures durable plastic parts for original equipment manufacturers across diverse industries.
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How to Choose a Company
- Verify they possess the appropriate forming equipment for your part's size, material gauge, and production volume. Inquire specifically about their plug assist capabilities if your design involves deep draws or requires uniform wall thickness in complex areas.
- For applications in regulated industries, confirm relevant certifications. For medical device components or food contact packaging, suppliers must demonstrate FDA material compliance or hold specific quality systems like ISO 13485. Automotive clients should require IATF 16949 certification, and electronic enclosure projects may necessitate UL 94 V-0 flame retardancy compliance.
- Assess their expertise in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) specific to vacuum forming. A significant red flag is a supplier who provides a quote without proactively discussing potential issues like insufficient draft angles, tight radii that could lead to webbing, or thinning in deep-draw areas, indicating a lack of deep process understanding.
- Evaluate their secondary operations, particularly their trim tooling. Distinguish between suppliers relying on cost-effective steel rule dies for high-volume, simple cuts versus those offering precision 5-axis CNC trimming for complex geometries, undercuts, or tight tolerance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the design considerations for draft angles and undercuts in vacuum forming?
Draft angles, typically 3-5 degrees, are crucial for successful part release from the mold and prevent marring. Insufficient draft can lead to costly delays and damage. Undercuts are generally challenging in standard vacuum forming; achieving them often requires complex tooling with slides or secondary operations, significantly increasing both tooling costs and cycle times. Proactive DFM discussions with your supplier about these features are essential.
How does the choice of trim tooling impact cost and precision for vacuum formed parts?
The primary trim tooling options are steel rule dies and 5-axis CNC routing. Steel rule dies offer a lower initial tooling cost and faster cycle times for high-volume production of simpler shapes, often seen in thin-gauge packaging. CNC routing, while having a higher upfront tooling cost, provides superior precision for complex geometries, tight tolerances, and heavy-gauge parts, and is more easily modifiable. Your choice depends on part complexity, volume, and required dimensional accuracy.
What material properties are critical when specifying a vacuum forming project?
Key material properties include melt strength (critical for maintaining form during heating and forming), modulus of elasticity (for part rigidity), impact strength (for durability), clarity or texture (for aesthetics), and chemical resistance for the end-use environment. Additionally, consider flammability ratings (e.g., UL 94 V-0 for enclosures) and specific compliance requirements (e.g., FDA for food/medical contact), as these will dictate suitable polymer choices like ABS, HIPS, PETG, or PP.