OEMs are under constant pressure to bring products to market faster. At the same time, they can’t go over budget or sacrifice part quality. That’s why thermoforming plastic is such a great option. This speedy and cost-efficient process helps OEMs streamline production from early design through final delivery. Below, we’re exploring what thermoforming is and whether it’s right for your operation.
What Is Thermoforming?
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process that involves laying a heated plastic sheet over a mold. Once cooled, the plastic sheet retains its shape and is trimmed to its final iteration. Thermoforming can be used to create a wide range of industrial packaging types. This might include sleeve packs, wheel packs, nestable and stackable pallets, reusable packaging, and more.
Beyond packaging, thermoforming can be used to manufacture large parts, assemblies, and more. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to produce panels, enclosures, housings, and covers in one piece or as modular components that are later assembled. This approach reduces the need for complex tooling, allows for thicker materials and added structural features, and supports faster production timelines.
Compared to injection molding or metal fabrication, thermoforming requires simpler tooling and shorter setup times. As a result, it’s an ideal solution for many OEM applications.
Faster Design and Development Cycles
With thermoforming, OEMs can quickly move from ideation to production. With lower tooling costs, projects allow for early-stage experimentation without major financial risk. At the same time, this simplified tooling means design changes can be made quickly and cost-effectively. That means OEMS can iterate faster and make confident decisions.
Efficiency in Manufacturing
Thermoforming is a popular manufacturing process because of its speed and efficiency. With short lead times, OEMs can meet aggressive schedules and respond quickly to market demand. In many cases, large or complex parts can also be produced as a single piece. This reduces assembly time and minimizes potential failure points.
Reduced Production Costs
This manufacturing process also allows for great cost savings. In addition to its speed and flexibility, businesses pay less for upfront tooling costs compared to injection molding or metal fabrication. And efficient material usage leads to less waste, helping control material expenses. Finally, lighter-weight parts reduce transportation and handling costs throughout the supply chain.
Work with Allied Plastics for Your Thermoforming Needs
Choosing the right thermoforming partner is crucial to your business’s success. Allied Plastics has been at the forefront of this manufacturing process for the last 30 years. When you partner with us, you get a qualified team that delivers great products at competitive prices.
Located in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, our facility has some of the largest plastic thermoforming machines in the country. They’re capable of twin sheet forming, single sheet forming, drape forming, pressure forming, and sheet over forming services.
But, we’re your partner for much more than just thermoforming plastic services. Our team can handle your project from start to finish. We have world-class engineering services, along with assembly, kitting, inventory, and logistics capabilities. And, with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, you can trust us for quality results, every time.
Get a Quote Today
Our team is ready to learn more about your product and provide a customized quote. Contact us today to get started.