Construction Injection Molding and Thermoforming

Elevating construction projects with precision and reliable solutions through the process of injection molding and thermoforming plastics.

Custom Construction Plastic Manufacturing

Advanced Plastiform, Inc. works with leading construction equipment manufacturers to design and manufacture durable plastic components and parts that can hold up to the heavy use seen in construction. We use innovative thermoforming and injection molding techniques to ensure accurate, identical design across thousands of parts while offering fast lead times and lower costs.

High-Quality Materials

plastic injection molding for construction equipment

Because we understand that each component in construction equipment has a unique and specific function, we offer a wide variety of long-lasting, high-quality plastics to manufacture the exact part you need. This includes ABS, Polyethylene, Acrylic, Styrene, and other plastic materials that we can customize with your unique branding, silk screening, and painting, or even add special coatings or textures.

Custom Injection Molding for Construction Equipment

Injection molding provides the perfect blend of high levels of accuracy, detail, and complete uniformity no matter how large the order is. It is a technique used to create plastic components in which plastic pellets are heated to a liquid and then are injected with high pressure into a 3D mold. This method is best used for smaller parts and components or for pieces that need intensely precise detailing or variable thickness.

Because injection molding requires highly pressurized injections, tooling is a double-sided design made from a very strong material, either steel, aluminum, or copper alloy. This means that the tooling cost is often very high to start out with, but tooling is a one-time price. If you need a large quantity or will need repeated orders fulfilled, you’ll find that injection molding has a low price per unit cost. Our presses range from 100 tons to 530 tons, so no matter what type of plastic part or component you need for your construction equipment, we have the capability to manufacture it.

Injection molded construction parts include:

  • Knobs and Dials
  • Levers and gear shifts
  • Door handles
  • Switches
  • Internal components

Construction Equipment Thermoforming

For larger plastic components, or for smaller, one-time orders,  thermoforming is a faster, more cost-effective method of manufacturing plastics. Thermoforming is the process of heating large sheets of plastic and shaping it around a customized aluminum tool to create the detailing, curves, and angles needed to create an accurate design. At API, we have over 60,000 square feet dedicated to thermoforming and often work with plastic sheets as large as eight feet by nine feet, allowing us to meet nearly any design request.

In order to ensure the most accurate shape with the appropriate detailing and angles, we utilize three different methods, depending on the specifications of the product.

Vacuum forming

Vacuum forming suctions all the air from between the plastic and the tool, creating a tight fit. This method is faster and more cost-effective than other forming methods and works best on large sheets of plastic that don’t require sharp corners and high levels of detail.

Pressure forming

Pressure forming occurs by using highly pressurized air to press the plastic against the tool while a vacuum removes any air between the tool and plastic. This method fits the plastic tightly to create sharp corners and clear definition. Pressure forming applies three times the pressure of vacuum forming and creates results similar to injection molding with a faster lead time and a lower cost.

Twin sheet forming

Twin-sheet forming is often used to create pieces with hollow cores or separate internal components, like tubes and plastic chutes. We take two adjacent sheets of plastic and fit them around a tool to shape them, then fuse the two pieces together. In order for the pieces to join correctly, they must be formed in perfect alignment, so this method requires the highest level of precision.

Thermoformed construction equipment components include:

  • Seat frames
  • Dashboards
  • Engine covers
  • Bumpers
  • Equipment covers
  • Door interiors

Contact API for Custom Injection Molding and Thermoforming for Construction Equipment

If you are seeking durable, long-lasting plastic components and parts for construction vehicles and equipment, reach out to  Advanced Plastiform, Inc. Our experienced team of designers, engineers, and manufacturers will work with you to determine the best method of manufacture for your components and help you create the perfect design for your needs. We proudly serve seven states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.

Advanced Plastiform Facility

Contact the Leaders in Thermoforming

We're here to discuss your custom plastic manufacturing needs.
Please call us at  919-404-2080 or email us now.