UK Preferred Partner for Movex®
Norfolk-Based Plastic Forming Specialists
Large-Format Plastic Thermoforming UK
In-house thermoforming and line-bending of PETG and other engineering plastics, with capacity for parts up to 3 metres long and 25mm thick. Ideal for machine guarding, conveyor tunnel guards, inspection panels and custom-formed components.
3m
Maximum Part Length
25mm
Maximum Material Thickness
PETG+
Multiple Plastic Materials
1991
Established
Our Thermoforming Capability
Large-Format Plastic Forming, In-House
SL Plastics offers in-house line-bending and thermoforming of engineering plastics from our Norfolk workshop. Our equipment handles materials up to 25mm thick and parts up to 3 metres long, making us one of the few UK suppliers capable of producing large-format thermoformed components such as conveyor tunnel guards, machine enclosures and bespoke industrial covers.
Combined with our CNC machining service, we can produce complete fabricated assemblies including formed panels, hinges, handles, magnetic catches and inspection access points, all from a single UK supplier.
Materials We Thermoform
Engineering Plastics for Forming
PETG is our most-used thermoforming material due to its excellent optical clarity, food-safety credentials and ease of forming. We can also work with other engineering plastics depending on application requirements.
PETG
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
Properties: Excellent clarity, impact resistance, easy to form, food-safe grades available
Typical use: Conveyor tunnel guards, machine enclosures, inspection windows, hygienic guarding
Polycarbonate
PC
Properties: Extreme impact resistance (250x stronger than glass), high temperature stability, good optical clarity
Typical use: High-impact machine guards, safety screens, industrial covers requiring strength
Cast Acrylic
PMMA / Perspex
Properties: Highest optical clarity, excellent UV resistance, scratch-resistant grades available
Typical use: Display cases, sight glasses, decorative covers, applications where appearance matters
HDPE / PP
High-Density PE / Polypropylene
Properties: Chemical resistance, lightweight, food-safe grades, good for non-transparent applications
Typical use: Chemical processing covers, food industry guards, non-visual machine enclosures
Working with a specific material? Contact us with the specification and required dimensions, we work with most thermoformable engineering polymers on enquiry.
Common Applications
What We Thermoform
Conveyor Tunnel Guards
Curved tunnel-style guards over conveyor lines for lead-in and lead-out from production machinery. An integral part of overall production line safety.
Machine Guarding
Curved and formed machine guards for moving parts, rotating equipment and safety enclosures, often combined with our flat panel machine guarding service.
Inspection Panels
Clear thermoformed inspection or access panels with integrated handles, hinges and magnetic catches fitted from our standard hardware range.
Custom Industrial Covers
Bespoke formed covers for industrial equipment including motor housings, control box enclosures, and protective shields for sensitive components.
How Our Thermoforming Works
Line Bending & Forming Process
Our thermoforming process uses controlled heating along precise bend lines to soften the plastic sheet, then forms it around a mould or jig to create the required shape. Once cooled, the formed part holds its shape permanently while retaining the structural and optical properties of the original sheet.
For complete fabricated assemblies we combine thermoforming with our CNC machining service for cut-outs, edge profiling, fixing holes and threaded inserts. Hardware including handles, hinges, magnetic catches and inspection access points can be fitted before despatch, so the part arrives ready for direct installation.
Hardware We Can Integrate
- Handles in various styles and finishes
- Hinges including concealed, lift-off, piano
- Magnetic catches and latches
- Inspection windows and access panels
- Threaded inserts for screw fixings
- Custom mounting brackets (CNC machined)
Quality, Lead Times & Order Quantities
What Buyers Need to Know
Lead Times
Typical lead times for standard thermoformed parts are 1 to 3 weeks depending on complexity. Urgent breakdown replacements can often be turned around faster on enquiry.
Order Quantities
No minimum order quantity. We produce one-off prototypes, small batches and medium production runs. Bulk pricing available for larger volumes based on tooling efficiency.
Quality Assurance
Every part is inspected before despatch for dimensional accuracy, surface finish and bond integrity on fabricated assemblies. Detailed reports available on request.
A Complete Conveyor Solution
Thermoformed Guards + Movex Conveyor Components
As Movex®'s UK Preferred Partner, we supply not only the conveyor components themselves but also the safety guards, tunnel covers and machine enclosures that complete a production line installation. One supplier for the conveyor parts, the guards, and the bespoke machined components needed to integrate them all.
Explore the Movex Range →Frequently Asked Questions
Thermoforming Questions Answered
What is thermoforming?
Thermoforming (also called line bending when applied along precise bend lines) is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated until pliable, then formed around a mould or jig to create the required shape. Once cooled, the formed part permanently holds its shape while retaining the original sheet’s structural and optical properties.
What is your maximum thermoforming capacity?
We can heat and form materials up to 25mm thick and produce parts up to 3 metres long. This makes us one of the few UK thermoformers capable of large-format industrial work, particularly for conveyor tunnel guards and machine enclosures.
What materials can you thermoform?
Our most-used material is PETG due to its clarity, impact resistance and food-safety credentials. We can also thermoform polycarbonate, cast acrylic (PMMA), HDPE and polypropylene depending on application requirements. For specialist materials not listed, contact us with the specification.
Do you fit handles, hinges and access panels?
Yes. We can integrate handles, hinges (concealed, lift-off, piano), magnetic catches and inspection windows directly into thermoformed parts before despatch. Custom mounting brackets can also be CNC machined in-house. The result is a complete assembly ready for installation.
What is your typical lead time?
Typical lead times for standard thermoformed parts are 1 to 3 weeks depending on complexity, hardware integration requirements and current workshop scheduling. Urgent breakdown replacements can often be turned around faster on enquiry.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No minimum order quantity. We produce one-off prototypes, small batches and medium production runs. For larger volumes we provide bulk pricing based on tooling efficiency and material throughput.
Can you produce conveyor tunnel guards?
Yes. Conveyor tunnel guards are one of our most common thermoforming applications. We work with OEMs and end-users across the UK conveyor industry, producing tunnel guards in PETG and polycarbonate to your specifications, with hinges and access panels fitted as standard.
Where are you based and do you ship UK-wide?
We are based in Thetford, Norfolk and ship thermoformed parts UK-wide. Large-format parts (over 1.5m) are shipped via specialist courier or freight depending on dimensions. International shipping is available on enquiry.
Ready to Quote Your Thermoforming Project?
Send us your drawings or describe your application. Our Norfolk-based team will respond the same working day with material recommendations, lead time and pricing.
