If you have read any of my recent blogs, you should have a pretty good grasp on thermoforming processes in general.
The main goal of this particular piece is to discuss what parts and products can be made using vacuum forming.
Given that this manufacturing method has such a wide range of production capabilities, I am going to break the various applications down by industry for simplicity’s sake.
You may be surprised by the number of vacuum-formed items you see and use on a frequent basis.
Let’s jump in and get started!
Aerospace
The aerospace industry relies heavily on thermoforming.
Vacuum-formed parts can be found in military aircrafts, missiles, space shuttles, commercial airliners, and recreational aircrafts.
Every component must be engineered to meet stringent performance standards pertaining to flammability, dimensional stability, and impact toughness.
Next time you travel by plane, take notice of the overhead storage compartments, seat backs, tray tables, and luggage bins. More than likely, they were all vacuum-formed.
Automotive
Thermoformed plastics are essential to the automotive industries for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Hundreds of thermoformed parts can be found in the cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles that we drive and see on the road every day.
Below is a list of examples:
- Interior door panels
- Center consoles
- Engine paneling
- Air ducts
- Truck bed liners
- Seating parts
- Floor and cargo mats
- Bumper fascia
A growing number of metal automotive parts are being replaced with plastic parts.
Along with making vehicles more fuel efficient, this shift has helped to keep the weight of newer vehicles down so they are easier to maneuver and decelerate faster.
Consumer Goods
There are a whole host of consumer goods that are fabricated using vacuum forming.
This can be credited to the process’s flexibility in terms of color, texture, and finishing capabilities.
If you were to go through your kitchen cabinets you would probably find vacuum formed utensils, Tupperware®, water bottles, and serveware.
And if you like to keep things organized, you may have vacuum formed drawer organizers and dividers.
Other molded products that can be found in the home include cleaning supply caddies, children’s toys, suitcases, and home decor, to name a few.
Electronics
Almost any type of electronic device you can find online or purchase at a brick and mortar store will have some type of exterior shell that was made from a molded part.
Most handheld electronics have casings created from thick gauge plastics to minimize wear and tear.
Thinner gauge casings are sufficient for larger, freestanding electronics such as computer monitors, printers, and television backings.
A lot of interior electronic components are protected by thermoformed plastics as well.
Funeral Care
Funeral homes depend on thermoplastic products to help carry out certain aspects of the services they provide families.
For instance, flower carts are used to transfer floral arrangements from the funeral to the cemetery or family’s home.
Bouquet tray backseaters are kept in funeral vehicles to prevent flower vases and baskets from falling over during transport.
Crematory operators and funeral directors use vehicle trays and mausoleum trays to ease the physical strain of transferring human remains.
Healthcare
Custom vacuum forming provides a cost-effective and hygienic solution to fabricating a multitude of medical supplies and devices.
In addition to being easy-to-sanitize, thermoformed plastics can be made with chemical resistant properties built into the material that help maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
Below are examples of equipment that are regularly used in healthcare facilities:
- Medical waste bins
- Imaging (X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan, etc.) enclosures
- Finger guards
- Protective eyewear
- Medical trays and carts
- Hospital room panels
- Hospital bed components
Packaging
Molded plastic is lightweight, hygienic, flexible, and durable – making it the ideal material for packaging applications across several market sectors.
Blister packs and clamshells are the two most popular types of packaging because they allow for individual and bulk packaging as well as product protection.
Formed packaging comes in all shapes and sizes. It is used to encase anything from cleaning supplies and cosmetics to baby products and medical supplies.
The food industry relies heavily on plastic packaging because it helps to maintain freshness of perishable items while preventing contamination.
The List Could Go On and On
Thermoforming has been around for almost a century and spans across nearly every industry.
Believe it or not, I have highlighted a very small percentage of the thousands upon thousands of items that can be vacuum formed.
If there is a plastic part you need manufactured, the experienced staff at GPI can walk you through our production techniques and timelines.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we specialize in creating reliable, durable goods at an affordable price.
