BFG Architecture
  • Home
  • Products
    • Building Envelopes
    • Building Facades
    • Primary Structural Roofs and Ceilings
    • Domes and Cupolas
    • Suspended Ceilings
    • Shading Elements and Screens
    • Interior Architectural Elements
    • Complex Formwork
    • Specialty Architectural Finishes
  • Projects
  • Materials
    • Introduction to composites >
      • What are composites
      • Fire safety performance
      • LEED certification
      • Sustainability and composites
      • History of composites
      • Famous architectural projects
    • Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) >
      • Introduction to FRP Composites
      • Benefits of FRP composites
      • Materials Systems >
        • Matrix Reinforcements >
          • Aramids
          • Carbon fibre
          • E-Glass
          • S-Glass
        • Resin Systems >
          • Polyester Resins
          • Epoxy Resins
          • Phenolic Resins
          • Vinyl Ester Resins
        • Cores
      • Processing Technologies >
        • Open vs Closed Moulding
        • Contact moulding
        • Spray up
        • Light Resin Transfer Moulding (LRTM)
        • Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
        • Press moulding
        • Vacuum bagging
        • Vacuum Forming (Thermoforming)
        • Vacuum infusion
        • Sheet moulding compound (SMC)
      • Tooling and Pattern Making
      • Composites in architecture
    • Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) >
      • Introduction to GRC
      • Properties of GRC
      • Benefits of GRC
      • GRC in architecture
    • Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) >
      • Introduction to UHPC
      • Benefits of UHPC
      • UHPC in architecture
  • About
    • About BFG
    • Media >
      • ​Media resources
      • Downloads
    • History
    • Certification
    • Careers
  • BFG GROUP
  • Contact
English Portuguese

VACUUM FORMING (THERMOFORMING)

Picture
1. Heated plastic sheet
2. Positive mould
3. Vacuum Drawn

Vacuum Forming (Thermoforming)

BFG Architecture uses a variety of methods to produce FRP parts. Our experienced engineers will select the best method for your project based on factors such as production volume, parts dimensions, budget, and other requirements. 

Our extensive experience with vacuum forming enables us to produce innovative and cost effective parts for our OEM customers. 

The process is used in conjunction with thermoplastics. It offers rapid tooling for prototyping and for moderate production quantities, ranging from 250 to 3,000 parts per year.

Process
The vacuum forming process consists of heating a plastic sheet to forming temperature and then stretching it over a single-surface mould. A vacuum is applied to force the sheet against the mould, and the sheet is then ejected from the mould.

Once a vacuum forming has been created out of a sheet of plastic, a finishing operation will be needed in most cases to turn it into a usable product. Common vacuum forming finishing methods include pressing a blade through the product into a die underneath, roller cutting or press cutting, cutting with a CNC machine, or drilling.  

Materials
Resins: Thermoplastics
Fibers: None 
Cores: None 

Advantages
- Vacuum forming offers a low cost, efficient, and rapid method of replication for prototyping and small series of certain shapes
- Tooling can be produced very quickly
- It is substantially cheaper compared to injection moulding. 

Limitations
- objects that are formed often stick to the mould, which is remedied by using a draft angle of three degrees or more in the mould

Applications
Vacuum-formed components can be used in place of complex fabricated sheet metal, fiberglass, or plastic injection moulding. 

Examples include:
- Kiosks and ATM machines
- Engine covers in truck cabs
- Railcar interior trim and seat components
- Enclosures for medical imaging and diagnostic equipment such as MRI machines

Contact us today so we can begin discussing your project needs.

CONTACT US
    Fill out the form for your request, enquiry or question. If relevant, feel free to include drawings, drafts or other details of your request. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
    Email

    Attachments (upload all your attachments in one go)
    Max file size: 20MB
Submit

About BFG

For over 40 years, BFG has been a global leader and pioneer in composite design, engineering and manufacturing, with over 2,000 people and 15 production facilities worldwide – and a total commitment to quality and innovation.
​
Moulding Ideas into Shape
Picture

information

>  Our Group
>  Why composites
>  Careers
>  Certification
​
>  Core Values
>  History
>  Gallery

contact info

You can always contact us via email or phone. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our services.
Picture
P.O. BOX 26197, MINA SALMAN,
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Picture
+973 1772 7063
Picture
ideas@bfginternational.com
© COPYRIGHT BFG INTERNATIONAL GROUP 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
  • Home
  • PRODUCTS
    • Building Envelopes
    • Building Facades
    • Primary Structural Roofs and Ceilings
    • Domes and Cupolas
    • Suspended Ceilings
    • Shading Elements and Screens
    • Interior Architectural Elements
    • Complex Formwork
    • Specialty Architectural Finishes
  • Projects
  • Materials
    • Introduction to composites >
      • What are composites
      • Fire safety performance
      • LEED certification
      • Sustainability and composites
      • History of composites
      • Famous architectural projects
    • Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) >
      • Introduction to FRP Composites
      • Benefits of FRP composites
      • Materials Systems >
        • Matrix Reinforcements >
          • Aramids
          • Carbon fibre
          • E-Glass
          • S-Glass
        • Resin Systems >
          • Polyester Resins
          • Epoxy Resins
          • Phenolic Resins
          • Vinyl Ester Resins
        • Cores
      • Processing Technologies >
        • Open vs Closed Moulding
        • Contact moulding
        • Spray up
        • Light Resin Transfer Moulding (LRTM)
        • Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
        • Press moulding
        • Vacuum bagging
        • Vacuum Forming (Thermoforming)
        • Vacuum infusion
        • Sheet moulding compound (SMC)
      • Tooling and Pattern Making
      • Composites in architecture
    • Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) >
      • Introduction to GRC
      • Properties of GRC
      • Benefits of GRC
      • GRC in architecture
    • Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) >
      • Introduction to UHPC
      • Benefits of UHPC
      • UHPC in architecture
  • About
    • About BFG
    • Media >
      • ​Media resources
      • Downloads
    • History
    • Certification
    • Careers
  • BFG GROUP
  • Contact