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MACHINE COVERS & SHROUDS

Thermoformed Machine Covers & Shrouds

A 2.6-meter machine cover,formed the same every time.

Thermoformed Machine Covers & Shrouds 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.

Illustration of a heavy-gauge machine cover
Illustration: one-piece machine cover with CNC-cut vent slots
Max. part size
2600×1600×600mmL × W × H, formed in one piece
Max. sheet thickness
15mm8–10 mm is typical for housings
Tooling lead time
1–3weeksvs. about 6–10 weeks for a comparable injection mold
Tooling cost
<1/10of a comparable injection mold

Sizes and forms of heavy-gauge thermoformed machine covers

Cover the whole machine,
or zone it for service.

  1. 01

    Full machine covers

    Whole machine or a large area

    One-piece forming means fewer seams; long spans get flanges, stiffening contours or separate brackets.

  2. 02

    Local guards

    Around one mechanism

    Enclose a moving part or a function zone; vents, viewing ports and cable openings are CNC-cut after forming.

  3. 03

    Access panels

    Where you open most often

    Separate panels at frequent service points, with hinges or quick-release fasteners, so neighboring parts stay put.

Up to 2600 × 1600 × 600 mm per part; larger covers are formed in sections and assembled.

Heavy-gauge thermoforming vs injection molding vs sheet metal

Why machine covers
move to heavy-gauge.

The same large cover, made three ways:

Send drawings, answer in 2 working days
Heavy-gauge thermoformingHand-laid fiberglassSheet metal
ConsistencyTool and machine set thickness and finish, part to partThickness and surface vary by operatorConsistent, but curves need welding
Curved shapesLarge curves and radii in one pieceComplex curves possibleMostly bends; curves are costly
ProductionMachine forming plus CNC trim; steady cycleLay-up, cure and finishing per part; slowCut, bend, weld, paint
SurfaceColor runs through the sheet, so scratches don't expose a base colorNeeds gelcoat or paintNeeds anti-rust paint
ToolingAbout 1–3 weeks, under 1/10 of an injection moldNeeds a fiberglass moldMostly bending fixtures

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

Design options for thermoformed machine covers

Off in order,
back on to datum.

Covers are the parts that get opened most. We settle how service works first, then the split and the fixing points.

Schematic, not to scale

Lift off wholeFull access inside

The whole cover comes off. We check the handling route, part weight and where to hold it.

Hinges, stays and interlock switches fit as separate parts. If you need an interlock, tell us where it mounts and how the cover moves.

Sheet materials for thermoformed machine covers

Pick the sheet
for where the cover lives.

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

Heavy-gauge thermoforming
ConditionTypical sheet
Indoor equipmentABS: stiff and easy to machine.
Viewing windows, clear guardsPC or PETG: clear and impact resistant.
Washdown, chemical contactPP, PE or PVC: chemical resistant.
Outdoor sunA weatherable grade or surface treatment, sourced per project and checked on samples for color change.
Near heat sourcesGive us the temperature and distance; we choose a heat-resistant grade and verify it on samples.

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

Factory, CNC trimming and inspection

Forming, trimming, inspection:one plant in Zhuhai.

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.

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
FUNYO heavy-gauge thermoforming machine
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
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
Tunnel oven for secondary processing: adjustable temperature, airflow and conveyor speed
Engineer measuring a part on a vision measuring system
Vision measuring system checks holes and contours; a 3D automatic vision system is also on site

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

From drawing to production,
and how long each step takes.

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

FUNYO CNC machining shop
CNC shop: forming tools are machined in-house, so revisions don't wait on outside suppliers
  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 thermoformed machine covers: FAQ

Send photos of the machine.
We'll work out the cover.

Outside dimensions, mounting points and how it's serviced, plus the operating environment, are enough to start. No full drawing? Start with photos.

FAQ

For 300–3,000 machine covers and shrouds per year, should I compare thermoforming and injection molding?

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 thermoformed machine covers and shrouds?

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.

How does thermoforming tooling cost compare with injection molds, and how many weeks does it 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.

Does moving CNC-cut openings for a new model require another forming tool?

If the external geometry, sheet and forming datums stay unchanged, we can evaluate a CNC program and fixture change. Changes to the formed shape require a separate tooling review.

Can medical or industrial housings meet a UL 94 or IP rating?

Provide the target rating first. Material grades are sourced and sampled per project; the housing, seals and assembly must be assessed together. Final ratings depend on testing the complete equipment.

Which sheet materials are available for housings and transparent windows?

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.

Can I receive a response in 4 hours, and when will thermoformed samples be ready?

We respond in 4 hours and provide an applicability assessment and injection-molding comparison quote in 2 working days. Forming tooling takes about 1–3 weeks; sample timing is assessed against the part geometry.

Can a housing project of about 3,000 parts per year apply for no tooling charge?

Housing projects of about 3,000 parts a year under an annual supply agreement can apply for an assessment. The quotation and contract define charges, amortization and tool ownership; eligibility is not automatic.

Last updated:

Send drawings or photos tofangyujidian@163.comSTEP, IGES, DWG, PDF or photos. No drawing yet? Send photos and key dimensions.

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