Custom Plastic Thermoforming for OEMs
Injection molding tooling can take months to build and represent a significant upfront investment before the first part comes off the line. That timeline and cost don't fit every OEM project, especially large-format housings and structural components produced in volumes that don't justify a multi-cavity mold.
Custom plastic thermoforming for OEMs gives manufacturers a faster path to production-ready parts, often at a lower tooling investment than injection molding. FormTight's thick gauge process turns rigid plastic sheet into structural OEM components, with tooling, forming, and 5-axis CNC trimming handled in-house at our Denver, Colorado, facility.
Thick Gauge Thermoforming for Large OEM Parts
Do you have a large-format part that needs to hold up to industrial use without the tooling investment injection molding requires? That's the case thick gauge thermoforming was built for. FormTight's thick-gauge equipment forms sheet up to 53” x 101”, with wall thicknesses from .020” to .500”, giving OEMs room to design components that standard suppliers can't accommodate.
Choosing the Right Material for Your OEM Part
Material choice determines how an OEM part performs once it leaves the shop. FormTight thermoforms custom OEM components in various materials:
- Impact resistance: ABS for parts exposed to drops, handling, or mechanical stress
- Chemical and moisture resistance: HDPE for exposure to washdowns or outdoor use
- Clarity with durability: PETG where see-through inspection matters alongside strength
Our engineers can help determine which material best fits your part's load, exposure, and finish requirements before tooling begins, so plastic thermoforming for OEMs starts with the right substrate rather than a default one.
Common OEM Applications
- Component organizers and trays for assembly lines
- Commercial cleaning equipment housings
- Hydroponic grow trays
- Gutter and channel components
- Structural covers and guards for material handling equipment
- Aftermarket housings for transportation equipment
Commercial OEM Thermoforming, Handled In-House
FormTight's commercial OEM thermoforming capabilities cover the full production cycle. Tooling design, thick-gauge forming, and 5-axis CNC trimming all happen at our Denver facility, so your project moves from approved design to production without third-party handoffs. Our capabilities page provides a full breakdown of the equipment and processes available for OEM work.
Start Your Next OEM Thermoforming Project
FormTight works with manufacturers who need OEM parts that perform in the field, not just in a prototype. Tell us about your part's size, material, and application, and our team will help determine the right approach. Request a Quote, or see how we build custom packaging and components from concept through production.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does thick-gauge thermoforming compare to injection molding for OEM parts?
Thick-gauge thermoforming generally requires less tooling investment and a shorter tooling lead time than injection molding. It's well suited to large parts and design iterations, while injection molding is typically reserved for high-volume runs of smaller, more complex geometries.
What materials does FormTight use for OEM parts?
FormTight thermoforms OEM components in ABS, HDPE, PETG, and other performance-grade plastics. Material selection depends on the part's exposure, load requirements, and finish needs.
What size OEM parts can FormTight produce?
FormTight's thick gauge equipment forms sheet up to 53 inches by 101 inches, with wall thicknesses from .020 to .500 inches, which covers most large-format OEM housings and structural components.