Kintz Plastics Inc - Vacuum Forming

Vacuum forming produces a part that is seamless, strong, durable, light weight and available in a variety of finishes. Vacuum formed parts are used in thousands of applications.

•APPLICATIONS:
Vacuum formed parts are single component parts that come out of the vacuum forming process as the actual product or a substantial part of the finished product. These are enclosures or housings that are often replacements for sheet metal or fiberglass that need to be light but durable and have good strength relative to weight.

CAPABILITIES:
Vacuum forming is a one-sided process. The finished part will have shape and detail on one side. The advantages to vacuum forming are less expensive tooling, faster turn-around and easier, less expensive updates and modifications compared to injection molding.

HOW IT WORKS:
Tiny air lines built into the mold draw out air between the heated sheet of plastic and the mold.

COMPARISON GUIDE	Vacuum-Formed Plastic	Molded Fiberglass	Sheet Metal
TOOLING INVESTMENT	Reduced per unit cost	Higher per unit cost	Higher per unit cost
PER PART COST	Much less	Far greater	Far greater
DURABILITY	Far more	Chipping, breaks & discoloration	Dents and can rust
WEIGHT	Light	Much heavier	Much heavier
EXTERIOR DETAIL	Style lines, logos design features	Limited options	Very limited
UPDATES/REVISIONS	Quick, affordable	Very expensive	Very expensive
FINISH OPTIONS	Many	Must be painted	Must be painted