Acrylic is a widely used material in vacuum forming and thermoforming due to its strength, versatility, and quality finish. Waveform can create a wide range of custom parts and shapes from acrylic sheet stock. From prototypes to full-scale manufacturing, our skilled team is ready to support you at every stage of your project.
Acrylic is a transparent or translucent thermoplastic frequently used in highly cosmetic applications, where a high quality glossy surface finish and a degree of light transmission is desired. It has excellent weatherability and optical properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Acrylic vacuum forming is a manufacturing process where a heated sheet of acrylic plastic is drawn down over a mold using vacuum, pulling the softened plastic tightly against the mold’s contours. Once cooled, the acrylic sheet retains the mold’s shape, creating the desired part shape. The part is then typically trimmed and deburred. The type and quality of tooling (molds) used to create acrylic parts are often critical in the thermoforming process, as that can impact part clarity and surface finish.
Waveform offers a variety of Acrylic sheet grades for our vacuum forming and thermoforming processes. Typical material options include a range of standard colours, the degree of transparency and impact of UV enhanced. The exact material spec chosen depends on your project’s requirements.
General Purpose Acrylic
Displays, signage, light boxes, protective covers
UV-Resistant Acrylic
Outdoor signage, skylights, automotive components
Impact-Modified Acrylic
High-traffic areas, safety glazing, machine guards
Tinted Acrylic
Decorative applications, privacy screens, light filters
Textured Acrylic
Diffusers for lighting, bathroom fixtures, decorative panels
Vacuum Forming uses standard material sheet stock and required less complex tooling compared to other plastic molding methods, making it ideal for any size production run.
Acrylic is a very versatile material, readily conforming to complex shapes and designs, fitting a wide range of applications.
Vacuum forming allows for quick prototype creation, accelerating the design and development cycle.
Acrylic offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for a range of applications.
Acrylic is typically available off-the-shelf in a range of colours, textures and material properties, making it ideal for projects calling for lower volumes.
The versatility of Acrylic vacuum forming makes it suitable for a wide range of industries and applications, including:
Retail: Point-of-purchase displays, product showcases, signage
Medical: Trays, housings, equipment covers
Lighting: Light boxes, diffusers, lampshades
Automotive: Interior trim, dashboards, sun visors
Protective Covers: Machine guards, equipment enclosures
Bathroom Products: Bathtubs, tub surrounds
Automotive Dealership Signage
Transportation Station Signage
Transparent Air Flow Management For Electronics
Windshields
Lighting Covers & Diffusers
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