Vacuum Forming Services
With 50 years thermoforming & vacuum forming expertise we will help turn your idea into a completed high quality vacuum formed products, parts and components.
MASSIVE PLANT LIST
IS0 9001
OVER 50YRS' EXPERTISE
MATERIAL CREDIBILITY
INHOUSE FINISHING & FABRICATION
Custom Vacuum Forming Services
VACUUM FORMING. Inhouse vacuum forming up to 1.9m2 and 600mm deep. Large range of vacuum formers offers large capacity so we can tackle larger volume projects as well as smaller projects. Expert vacuum forming teams. Flexible working practices. Knowledge of wide range of materials. Experience in wide range of sectors.
MATERIALS. Vacuum forming plastics such including ABS, HDPE, Polyethylene, PET, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, TPO
FINISHING. Most finishing completed inhouse. Large & up-to-date plant list includes CNC routers, precision laser cutters, line bending, polishing etc
ASSEMBLY & FABRICATION. Dedicated fabrication teams, hand and machine fabrication, gluing, cementing & taping, collation, warehousing and distribution services.
As a leading UK vacuum forming company we have extensive experience in fabricating engineering formings, industrial components and and are a leading plastic products manufacturer for the industrial, aerospace, automotive and off-road vehicle markets as well as retail, packaging, and exhibition sectors. Our finished products are used by clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Caterpillar, JCB, TfL, NHS, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and many others.
Get a Quick Quote Today
LEISURE & CARAVANS
POINT OF SALE DISPLAY
STREET FURNITURE
HIGHWAYS & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & COMPONENTS
Complete vacuum forming services
Vacuum forming plastic can be a cost-effective production method for a range of items and our team will offer expert advice on suitability, production times & costs. Our services include
- Extensive tooling and forming capabilities and expertise
- Prototypes and one-offs, short runs and large volume production runs
- Advice on design and manufacture
- Latest CNC machinery to ensure highest quality finishing
- Large in-house production space and warehousing facility
- Assembly and collation services and distribution service
A LEADING VACUUM FORMING COMPANY FOR 50+ YEARS
For over half a century we have been delivering high quality vacuum forming services across a range of sectors, and have established a reputation as a leading vacuum forming company.
We offer unbeatable insight into this complex process to ensure we deliver the best quality products and parts at the best possible price. As well as some of the most efficient plant available we also have dedicated teams designed to support your project – from designers to operatives, project managers to logistics we can offer an end-to-end service for large or small projects.
Our clients value our value engineered solutions to all projects and our friendly jargon-free approach. With one of the UK’s largest capacities we can undertake several projects at anyone time and flexible working practises ensures we can deliver fast turnaround and short notice projects.
Our project management team will keep you updated at all stages of the project – from clearly detail costs at the beginning of the job to confirmation of successful delivery and all stage in between.
To discuss your project call the team on 0121 580 3080 or complete the Quick Quote form at the top of the page.
More questions? Check out our FAQs
THIS IS WHAT WE FORM
- POINT OF SALE / POP
- AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS
- SIGNAGE
- BACK BOARDS
- COVERS
- HOODS
- TRAYS
- MACHINE GUARDS
- SAFETY PANELS
HUGE PLANT LIST
SUSTAINABLE VACUUM FORMING SOLUTIONS
Wrights Plastics is working hard to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment whilst also recognising that manufacturing meets the demands of many consumers and significantly contributes to employment and GDP.
Our ongoing investment in energy-efficient multi-tasking kit is helping us lower energy use, minimise waste and reduce our impact on the environment. By completing all process under one roof we minimising carbon footprint.
By delivering high quality durable parts & products we are helping develop sustainable solutions for our clients.
INVESTING IN THE LATEST MACHINERY
We have a rolling programme of investment that has seen us introduce some leading edge cutting, moulding and machining technology – often for the first time in the UK. Our investment helps us remain competitive in a global market and supports UK jobs. We have the latest machinery from Geiss offering infinitely adjustable plate system for maximum material cost-benefit and fast tool changing facilities to enable cost-effective short runs and long run production batches. For customers the benefits are clear: increased workflow, decreased wastage, reduced production time and improved quality.
ISO 9001 ACCREDITED
Our ISO 9001 accreditation is recognition of our commitment to quality and excellence. With almost fifty years’ experience in thermoforming and an extensive range of manufacturing, industrial and retail clients, we combine the latest technology with old-school service to provide a ‘less stress’ service from end-to-end.
Our inhouse design teams help maximise efficiency, lower costs and material waste.
Material credibility, CAD expertise and prototyping services.
Working with customers to design tooling that maximises yield & minimises scrap.
Most jobs finished inhouse for complete quality assurance.
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Complete Press Moulding Services
We have extensive experience of delivering cost-effective press formed parts and products. With a skilled and experienced team supported by large capacity and efficient machinery, we can produce complex, large or multi-part items cost-effectively and with fast turnaround if required due to our flexible working processes. From rapid prototyping to high volume production we are the number one choice, and our ‘design to distribution’ service means we can manage the whole process under one roof.
We currently manufacture pressure formed parts for medical sector and retail Point of Sale display
Our press moulding plant includes
- LARGE AND SMALL OVENS
- 39″ PRESSURE MOULDING PRESS
Click here to download Wrights Plastics Plant List May 2018
VACUUM FORMING FINISHING & RELATED PROCESSES
Expert hand finishing including trimming, sawing, cementing and taping all carried out inhouse.
Skilled teams and the latest equipment means we can deliver cost-effective solutions for projects large & small
Extensive range of 3, 4 & 5 axis services using cutting-edge equipment & experienced design & manufacturing team.
State of the art laser cutting & laser profiling services thanks to sector leading kit & teams – your project in safe hands.
Read about our recently completed projects
What is vacuum forming?
Vacuum forming can be used to cost-effectively manufacture a huge range of plastic products and parts including: industrial & automotive components; enclosures and trays; POS retail display; stage and film props; signage, and product development / rapid prototyping. For a complete list check out our Plastic Forming: A-Z of Vacuum Formed Applications guide
Vacuum forming can be used to cost-effectively manufacture a huge range of products and parts including: industrial & automotive components; enclosures and trays; POS retail display; stage and film props; signage, and product development / rapid prototyping. For a complete list check out our Plastic Forming: A-Z of Vacuum Formed Applications guide
Vacuum forming plastic is one of the most common methods of plastic thermoforming materials to manufacture products, components and parts.
Broadly, vacuum forming manufacturng process involves heating sheet plastic until it reaches forming temperature and then draping it over a mould. A vacuum is applied, the vacuum pressure sucking the sheet into the mould. The sheet is then ejected from the mould. In its advanced form, the vacuum forming process uses sophisticated pneumatic, hydraulic and heat controls thus enabling higher production speeds and more detailed, more complex vacuum formed applications.
For producers vacuum forming offers the opportunity of comparatively low cost tooling, use of inexpensive material to make the required moulds and fast fabrication speeds. Vacuum forming can be used for rapid plastic prototypes, small runs and large volume projects.
A large number of plastics can vacuum formed, helping ensure the correct materials are used for a project as well as offering cost savings by using less expensive plastic where possible.
Vs Injection moulding? The two processes are different but vacuum forming can offer an lower cost option to some injection moulded parts – talk to the team to find out more.
Vacuum Forming Process
Clamping – The clamp frame needs to be sufficiently powerful enough to ensure the plastic sheet is firmly held during the forming process.
Heating – the sheet is heated uniformly over its entire surface area and throughout its thickness.
Vacuum Forming – Once the material is suitably heated a vacuum can be applied to assist in forming the sheet. A vacuum pump is used to draw the air trapped between the sheet and the mould.
Cooling and release – Once formed, the plastic must be allowed to cool before being released. If released too soon then deformation of the moulding will result in a reject part.
Trimming and finishing – Once the formed part has cooled and been removed from the machine the excess material is removed. Holes, slots and cut-outs are then drilled into the part. Other post-forming processes include decoration, printing, strengthening, reinforcing and assembly.
Typical materials used include
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ABS
- Polyester Copolymer PETG
- Polystyrene PS
- Polycarbonate PC
- Polypropylene PP
- Polyethylene (sheet and foamed sheet) PE
- Polyvinyl Chloride PVC
- Acrylic PMMA
