Thermoforming Process

At Ashley Industrial Molding, Inc., we provide custom thermoforming lower-volume panels for a range of applications. Five-stage rotary thermoforming equipment provides efficient production of components without the initial capital expenditure required for production molds. Standard material options include ABS, acrylic, and polyethylene, but a wide variety of polymers can be thermoformed, depending on the required application.

Thermoforming is most cost-effective at production levels of approximately 300 to 2,000 units per year, depending on the size and complexity of the part. If volumes do increase beyond that range, we are very capable of working with customers to ramp up the production process to a more cost-effective production method. By offering multiple molding options, we can competitively produce premium quality parts at a range of production volumes.

In offering additional fabrication, technical inspection, and inventory management services, our goal is to provide customers with value-added options that are meaningful to their production goals. Each customer has their own unique needs, and to that end, we offer a multitude of options including painting, 3D routing, assembly, and CMM inspection. Additional service options can be considered, as the need arises. The standard turnaround time for production is two weeks, with JIT shipping and Kanban programs available. For more information about our thermoforming capability, see the table, or contact us directly.