--- title: "Heavy-Gauge Thermoformed Machine Covers & Shrouds | FUNYO" description: "Thermoformed machine covers and shrouds up to 2600 × 1600 × 600 mm. Tooling takes 1–3 weeks; FUNYO forms and CNC-trims parts in Zhuhai." type: landing --- # 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](/assets/heavy-gauge/guard.webp) Illustration: one-piece machine cover with CNC-cut vent slots - **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 ## Sizes and forms of heavy-gauge thermoformed machine covers Coverage decides the split. Three common forms: ### Full machine covers Whole machine or a large area One-piece forming means fewer seams; long spans get flanges, stiffening contours or separate brackets. ### Local guards Around one mechanism Enclose a moving part or a function zone; vents, viewing ports and cable openings are CNC-cut after forming. ### 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. ### Examples ![Warehouse robot cover](/assets/cases/warehouse-robot-cover.webp) Warehouse robot cover ![E-scooter front covers and windshields](/assets/cases/scooter-cover.webp) E-scooter front covers and windshields ![Car roof box](/assets/ppt/roof-box.webp) Car roof box ![Power battery sealing cover](/assets/ppt/battery-seal-cover.webp) Power battery sealing cover ![Golf cart roofs and parts](/assets/cases/golf-cart-roof.webp) Golf cart roofs and parts ![Round and conical skylight domes](/assets/cases/skylight-dome.webp) Round and conical skylight domes Images from the FUNYO company profile. Some show the complete product; the formed part is the one named in the caption. ## Where thermoformed machine covers are used Explore related industries through equipment applications and component requirements. ### [Industrial automation & machinery](/en/industries/industrial-automation-machinery) Machine covers, side shrouds and maintenance covers. ### [Robotics & autonomous equipment](/en/industries/robotics-autonomous-equipment) Robot service covers and chassis shrouds. ### [Agriculture & construction equipment](/en/industries/agriculture-construction-equipment) Engine hoods, side panels and fenders. ### [Automotive & transportation](/en/industries/automotive-transportation) Front covers, fenders and exterior covers. ### [EV, battery & energy systems](/en/industries/ev-battery-energy) Service covers for energy-storage and charging equipment. ### [Marine, sports & recreation](/en/industries/marine-sports-recreation) Covers for sports equipment and amusement rides. ## Heavy-gauge thermoforming vs injection molding vs sheet metal The same large cover, made three ways: | | Heavy-gauge thermoforming | Hand-laid fiberglass | Sheet metal | |---|---|---|---| | Consistency | Tool and machine set thickness and finish, part to part | Thickness and surface vary by operator | Consistent, but curves need welding | | Curved shapes | Large curves and radii in one piece | Complex curves possible | Mostly bends; curves are costly | | Production | Machine forming plus CNC trim; steady cycle | Lay-up, cure and finishing per part; slow | Cut, bend, weld, paint | | Surface | Color runs through the sheet, so scratches don't expose a base color | Needs gelcoat or paint | Needs anti-rust paint | | Tooling | About 1–3 weeks, under 1/10 of an injection mold | Needs a fiberglass mold | Mostly bending fixtures | General comparison; we confirm against your drawing, material and volumes. ## Design options for thermoformed machine covers Covers are the parts that get opened most. We settle how service works first, then the split and the fixing points. ### Lift off whole Full access inside The whole cover comes off. We check the handling route, part weight and where to hold it. ### Remove by zone Panels at service points Frequently serviced zones become their own panels; split lines and fasteners stay clear of neighboring parts. ### Hinge open Hinges and stays Opens on hinges with a stay. Swing range, hinge loads and support points are confirmed on the sample. 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 8–10 mm sheet is typical, up to 15 mm. By operating condition: | Condition | Typical sheet | |---|---| | Indoor equipment | ABS: stiff and easy to machine. | | Viewing windows, clear guards | PC or PETG: clear and impact resistant. | | Washdown, chemical contact | PP, PE or PVC: chemical resistant. | | Outdoor sun | A weatherable grade or surface treatment, sourced per project and checked on samples for color change. | | Near heat sources | Give 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. ## Related product families - [Thermoformed Housings & Enclosures](/en/products/housings) - [Thermoformed Panels & Fascias](/en/products/panels-fascias) - [Thermoformed Handling Trays & Liners](/en/products/trays-liners) - [Thermoformed POP Displays and Light Box Faces](/en/products/displays-signage) - [Quality assurance](/en/quality/quality-assurance) - [Tooling & process engineering](/en/quality/tooling-process-engineering) - [Technical cleanliness](/en/quality/technical-cleanliness) ## 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) ## Heavy-gauge thermoformed machine covers: FAQ Outside dimensions, mounting points and how it's serviced, plus the operating environment, are enough to start. No full drawing? Start with photos. **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. - Machine and area covered: e.g. sorter top cover, tractor engine hood - Outside dimensions: L × W × H (mm) - Annual volume and first order: e.g. 300 sets/year, first order 20 - Service and environment: Removal direction, openings, heat, outdoor use, washdown - 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 #### 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. ## 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 Download your project brief, ready to share. Nothing is sent automatically. Last updated: 2026-10-22 ## Manufacturing guides - [Heavy-Gauge Thermoforming vs Injection Molding](/en/guides/heavy-gauge-thermoforming-vs-injection-molding) - [Thin-Gauge vs Heavy-Gauge Thermoforming for Parts](/en/guides/thin-gauge-vs-heavy-gauge-thermoforming) - [Thermoforming Materials Guide: ABS, PC, PVC & PP](/en/guides/thermoforming-materials-guide) - [Robot Housing Production: Thermoforming Route](/en/guides/robot-housing-prototype-to-production)