When Thick-Plate Vacuum Forming is More Suitable
We also offer manufacturing solutions by vacuum forming

  1. Large Parts
    • Size: Thick-plate vacuum forming is ideal for producing large parts such as automotive body panels, appliance housings, and large enclosures that would be difficult and expensive to produce with injection molding.
  2. Low to Medium Production Volumes
    • Cost Efficiency: Vacuum forming is more cost-effective for low to medium production volumes due to lower tooling costs. Injection molding requires high-cost, precision-engineered molds, making it less economical for small runs.
  3. Simpler Mold Design
    • Tooling Costs: The molds used in vacuum forming are simpler and cheaper to produce than injection molds. This makes vacuum forming a viable option for prototyping and small-batch production.
  4. Faster Turnaround

Quick Prototyping: Vacuum forming offers faster mold fabrication and production setup, allowing for quicker turnaround times for prototypes and short runs compared to injection molding.

Comparison Table: Thick-Plate Vacuum Forming vs. Injection Molding

Criteria

Thick-Plate Vacuum Forming

Injection Molding

Part Size

Large parts

Small to medium-sized parts

Production Volume

Low to medium volumes

High volumes

Tooling Cost

Lower

Higher

Part Complexity

Simpler shapes, less detail

Intricate designs with fine details

Cycle Time

Moderate

Shorter

Surface Finish

Good, but less detailed

Excellent, with fine details and smooth finishes

Cost Efficiency

Cost-effective for large parts and low volumes

Cost-effective for high volumes

Initial Investment

Lower

Higher