---
title: "Thermoformed Robot & Autonomous Equipment Housings | FUNYO"
description: "Thermoformed parts for robots and autonomous equipment. FUNYO provides 1–3 week tooling, sheet forming and CNC trimming to drawings."
type: landing
---

# Thermoformed Robot Housings

Your robot changes every generation. Its housing tool doesn't have to.

Thermoformed Robot Housings are shaped from heated plastic sheet. FUNYO forms single parts up to 2600 × 1600 × 600 mm from sheet up to 15 mm; housings commonly use 8–10 mm. Forming tools take about 1–3 weeks and cost under 1/10 of a comparable injection mold.

- **Max. part size**: 2600×1600×600 mm — L × W × H, formed in one piece
- **Max. sheet thickness**: 15 mm — 8–10 mm is typical for housings
- **Tooling lead time**: 1–3 weeks — vs. about 6–10 weeks for a comparable injection mold
- **Tooling cost**: \<1/10 — of a comparable injection mold

- **Fast iterations**: New openings: new program, same tool
- **Big bodies**: One piece up to 2.6 m
- **Easy service**: Covers split along the service path

## Thermoformed parts for robotics & autonomous equipment

Robot parts that suit heavy-gauge thermoforming:

- AMR and logistics
- Cleaning robots
- Delivery and service robots
- Inspection robots

### Body shell and top cover

Large curved shells in one piece; for front/rear or upper/lower splits, parting lines and datums are fixed before tooling.

### Sensor fascia and front face

Openings follow the field of view of lidar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors; edges are CNC-finished.

### Service and battery-access covers

Split along the battery-swap and service path, with quick-release fasteners or hinges.

### Chassis shrouds and side skirts

Cover the chassis and drive; load bearing and bump protection stay with the robot's structure.

### Product families for this industry

#### [Housings & enclosures](/en/products/housings)

Body shells and top covers, sensor fascias, service and battery-access covers.

#### [Covers & shrouds](/en/products/covers-shrouds)

Robot service covers and chassis shrouds.

## Examples of thermoformed components

Formed parts from the FUNYO company profile, picked for this industry. Need something similar? Send a drawing or a photo.

![AI and service robots](/assets/ppt/service-robot.webp)

AI and service robots

![Warehouse robot cover](/assets/cases/warehouse-robot-cover.webp)

Warehouse robot cover

![Drone shell](/assets/ppt/drone-shell.webp)

Drone shell

![Reference · Service robot shell (hotel delivery robot)](/assets/robotics/delivery-robot.webp)

Service robot shell (hotel delivery robot) (Reference)

Images from the FUNYO company profile. Some show the complete product; the formed part is the one named in the caption. Photos labelled “Reference” show similar products to explain component forms; they are not FUNYO delivery cases.

## Thermoforming compared with other processes

Which housing route fits depends on where the robot program is:

| Program stage | Heavy-gauge thermoforming | Injection molding |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype and pilot (tens of units) | Tooling in about 1–3 weeks at low cost | A mold rarely pays; usually machined or printed parts |
| Design revisions | Opening changes: edit the CNC program; shape changes: modify the forming tool | Mold changes are costly and slow |
| Steady production (hundreds to thousands) | Ongoing supply; around 3,000 parts a year can apply for a no-tooling-charge evaluation | Depends on shape and volume |
| High volume (10,000+) | We can keep supplying, but piece price is usually above molding | Lower piece price; time to move to a mold |

General comparison; we confirm against your drawing, material and volumes.

## Assembly, access and interface design

How the housing splits decides how much comes off for service. We settle three things:

### Battery swap and service path

First where the battery comes out, which covers open and what stays put; then the cover boundaries and fixing points.

Needed: overall layout and battery-swap direction

### Sensor field of view

Give us the field of view and mounting positions of lidar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors; openings and edges are machined to them.

Needed: sensor models and fields of view

### Design iterations

If a new version only adds a port, we change the CNC program and fixtures; only a change to the platform size means a new forming tool.

Needed: a change list between versions

## Sheet materials and project requirements

8–10 mm sheet is typical, up to 15 mm. By use:

- **Indoor delivery and service**: ABS: stiff and easy to machine; color matched to swatches.
- **Wet cleaning**: Tell us the cleaner and washdown method; for chemical contact choose PP, PE, or ABS verified by wipe tests.
- **Outdoor inspection**: A weatherable grade or surface treatment, sourced per project and checked on samples.
- **Sensor windows**: Clear PC or PETG; optical and RF transmission verified on samples against the sensor's requirements.

Exact grade, color and texture are approved on physical swatches and samples.

## Factory, CNC trimming and inspection

FUNYO started in precision machining in 2004 and has been thermoforming since 2013. Heavy-gauge forming, CNC trimming and dimensional inspection all happen in our Doumen plant, and we machine our own forming tools, so revisions don't wait on outside shops.

![FUNYO heavy-gauge thermoforming machine](/assets/factory/heavy-forming.webp)

Heavy-gauge former: ABS, PC, PVC, PETG and PP sheet; parts up to 2600 × 1600 × 600 mm

![FUNYO 3-axis and 5-axis CNC routers with a formed part on the bed](/assets/factory/cnc-router.webp)

3- and 5-axis CNC routers: trimming, holes and slots after forming; 5-axis for curved surfaces

![Tunnel oven in FUNYO's secondary-processing area](/assets/factory/tunnel-oven.webp)

Tunnel oven for secondary processing: adjustable temperature, airflow and conveyor speed

![Engineer measuring a part on a vision measuring system](/assets/thin-gauge/cmm.webp)

Vision measuring system checks holes and contours; a 3D automatic vision system is also on site

### Facts you can check

- **2004**: Founded; 20+ years of precision machining
- **2005**: Became a tier-1 supplier to Gree
- **ISO 9001 · 14001**: Quality and environmental management certified
- **2024**: Recognized as a High-Tech Enterprise
- **ABS · PET/PS**: Own plant for thermoforming sheet
- **4 hours**: Response to design requests

### Selected long-term customers

Gree Electric, Panasonic, Foxconn, Jabil, Lite-On, TDK, Mitsumi Electric, Mektec, Broad-Ocean Motor, Haojue, JCD, AKM, CYGIA

These relationships cover precision formed trays, CNC parts and other work. Listed in no particular order.

## Lead time from drawing to delivery

Typical timings. Complex parts or special materials get a specific schedule when we quote.

1. **Within 4 hours · Response**: An engineer contacts you to confirm use, size and quantities.
2. **2 working days · Evaluation and quote**: We tell you whether heavy-gauge fits and quote it side by side with injection molding.
3. **About 1–3 weeks · Tooling**: After design review we machine the forming tool in-house.
4. **By complexity · Samples**: Formed, trimmed and drilled, then fitted to your frame or mating parts.
5. **Per order · Production**: Checked against the approved sample for size and finish, then packed and shipped.

[Heavy-gauge thermoforming](/en/capabilities/heavy-gauge-thermoforming) · [CNC trimming and machining](/en/capabilities/cnc-machining-trimming)

## Thermoforming for robotics & autonomous equipment: FAQ

CAD, a frame drawing or a concept layout all work. Tell us about sensors, service access and expected annual volume.

**Send a drawing. Get an answer in 2 working days.** We respond within 4 hours. Within 2 working days we tell you whether heavy-gauge thermoforming fits, with a side-by-side quote against injection molding. Housing projects of around 3,000 parts a year on an annual supply agreement can apply for a no-tooling-charge evaluation.

- Equipment and part: e.g. delivery robot upper body shell
- Outside dimensions: L × W × H (mm)
- Annual volume and first order: e.g. 800 units/year, first order 50
- Sensors, battery swap and environment: Sensor models, battery-swap direction, indoor or outdoor, cleaning
- Contact: Name, company, phone or email

Send drawings or photos to fangyujidian@163.com

STEP, IGES, DWG, PDF or photos. No drawing yet? Send photos and key dimensions.

### FAQ

#### Can thermoforming be evaluated for robotics & autonomous equipment at 300–3,000 units per year?

300–3,000 units is a quoting scenario, not a break-even threshold. Compare part size, assembly, material, tooling and unit costs before selecting a process.

#### What size and sheet thickness are available for robotics & autonomous equipment?

The maximum single part is 2600 × 1600 × 600 mm, with sheet up to 15 mm. Housings commonly use 8–10 mm sheet. Finished dimensions depend on geometry and trimming allowance.

#### Which sheet grades should I specify for robotics & autonomous equipment?

ABS, PC, PVC, PETG and PP can be formed. PC or PETG can be evaluated for transparent parts. PE, weatherable, flame-retardant and antistatic grades are sourced and sampled for the project.

#### How long does tooling for robotics & autonomous equipment take?

Forming tooling costs under 1/10 of a comparable injection mold and takes about 1–3 weeks. Comparable injection molds take about 6–10 weeks. Confirm the scope against the drawing and material.

#### What should I send for a 2-working-day thermoforming assessment for robotics & autonomous equipment?

Send drawings or photos, dimensions, annual and first-order quantities, assembly interfaces and operating conditions. We respond in 4 hours and provide the applicability assessment and comparison quote in 2 working days.

### Guides

- [Robot Housing Production: Thermoforming Route](/en/guides/robot-housing-prototype-to-production)
- [Heavy-Gauge Thermoforming Design: Draft and Walls](/en/guides/heavy-gauge-thermoforming-design-guide)
- [Thermoforming vs Injection Molding: Break-Even Cost](/en/guides/thermoforming-vs-injection-molding-break-even)

## Contact

Bring us your next big idea. Let’s give it the right shape.

FUNYO / 方宇机电

Building F3, Huamao Road, Qianwu Town, Doumen District, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Tel: +86-0756-6330998

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Last updated: 2026-10-22