ABS Thermoforming & Vacuum Forming
Tough, versatile ABS covers, housings and enclosures for OEMs, formed and CNC-trimmed in Zanesville, Ohio.
- Covers and housings
- Smooth or haircell ABS
- 5-axis CNC trimming
- Made in the USA
ABS thermoforming fits many equipment covers, housings and enclosures. ABS is tough and versatile, making it a common choice for formed shells that handle everyday use. At Shirley K’s, we make custom heavy-gauge thermoformed parts for OEMs. Send your drawing, CAD model or sample part, and we’ll tell you which material and thickness fit the job.
What ABS offers
ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is a thermoplastic, so heat softens it enough to shape. ABS generally balances impact resistance, stiffness and formability. It suits many parts that need a defined shape and must stand up to handling.
Sheet grade, part shape and working conditions affect performance. A broad unsupported panel behaves differently from a housing with formed contours. Standard ABS can weaken and discolor in sunlight, so outdoor parts need a UV-resistant grade or a protective finish. Tell us about sunlight, cleaners and other chemicals the part will face.
Where ABS fits
- Equipment covers. Formed shells cover machine components, with openings for access and controls.
- Instrument housings. ABS often suits housings that need toughness and an opaque exterior.
- Interior panels. Formed panels follow equipment contours. Attachment points and unsupported areas guide the design.
- Trays and liners. ABS can suit shaped trays and liners when its properties fit the contents and handling.
Haircell ABS, textured on one side
Haircell is a fine, leather-like grain pressed into one side of ABS sheet when the sheet is made. The other side is usually smooth. The texture gives a low-gloss look and helps hide minor scuffs, scratches and handling marks, which is why textured ABS is a common choice for equipment housings, covers, cases and interior panels.
For many parts, keeping the textured face off the tool helps the texture survive forming. Tell us which face people will see. Tool choice also depends on fit, shape and release, and we weigh them together.
Heat and stretching can still soften the grain where the sheet draws deepest, such as tight corners and deep pockets. Mark the faces where the texture has to look right, and name the texture, color and thickness on your drawing or quote request.
How we use ABS
We form ABS covers, housings and enclosures, and also trays, tubs, lids, liners and panels. Start with our enclosures and covers page for shell-type parts.
Dozens to hundreds of parts per order is our core work, and we also run larger volumes. Assembly, finished-goods inventory programs and drop ship programs are available.
Forming and trimming ABS
ABS vacuum forming uses vacuum to draw heated sheet against a tool. Wall thickness generally changes as the sheet stretches. Deep draws, closely spaced features and sharp corners can make material distribution harder to control. Draft and generous transitions generally help forming and tool removal.
Mark the surfaces that mate with other parts. Tool contact shapes one surface, while the opposite surface also reflects the formed wall thickness. Locate trim edges, holes and cutouts clearly in relation to the assembly.
Fasteners, access openings and supported edges affect how the shell works after trimming. Our part design and development page explains what to send us to start a custom part.
ABS compared with HIPS
HIPS is high-impact polystyrene. Both materials work for opaque formed parts, with performance depending on grade and application. Use this comparison to narrow the choice.
| Part requirement | ABS | HIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Impact demands | Generally tougher under demanding handling. | Often suits less demanding impact needs. |
| Formed applications | Common choice for equipment housings and covers. | Common choice for trays, organizers and display components. |
| Working conditions | Match the grade to chemicals, sunlight and heat. | Match the grade to chemicals, sunlight and heat. |
| Material choice | Consider when toughness drives the choice. | Consider for simpler trays or organizers when its properties fit. |
What to send for an ABS quote
- Send the drawing or part. Send a drawing, CAD model, sample part or existing tool details.
- Describe working conditions. Tell us about handling, impacts, sunlight, cleaners and other exposure that affects material choice.
- Mark assembly details. Mark mating surfaces, trim edges, holes, fastener locations and appearance requirements.
- Tell us the quantities. Include quantities and expected repeat orders. Use our quote preparation guide to put the request together.
ABS Thermoforming Questions
Is ABS suitable for every enclosure?
No. Impact, exposure, appearance and attachment requirements determine whether ABS fits. We’ll tell you which material and thickness fit your part.
Can you form haircell ABS?
Yes. Haircell ABS is textured on one side. Tell us which face people will see, and we’ll plan the tool so the texture lands there.
How do thermoforming and vacuum forming relate?
Thermoforming shapes heated plastic sheet. Vacuum forming is one method, using vacuum to draw the sheet against a tool.
Will the formed wall match the starting sheet thickness?
Generally, the sheet thins where it stretches. Draw depth and shape affect thickness across the finished part.
Can Shirley K’s work from an existing part?
Yes. We can reverse engineer a tool from an existing part. You can also send a part design, send a tool design or move your current tool to us.
Can I transfer an existing ABS tool?
Yes, if it checks out. We check the tool, plan the move with you and your current supplier, and run first articles for your approval.
Does Shirley K’s make shorter runs?
Yes. Dozens to hundreds of parts per order is our core work, and we’ll run shorter runs than many other thermoformers. We also run larger volumes.
Quote an ABS part
Send a drawing, CAD model, sample part or tool details.
Call: (740) 868-8140 · Email: orders@shirleyks.com · 1150 Newark Road, Zanesville, OH 43701