Advanced Thermoforming Solutions Ray Products Co. Inc. CONTACT US GET A QUOTE ACCESS LIBRARY ANNUAL SURVEY THERMOFORMING VS. FIBERGLASS In some ways, thermoforming and fiberglass are similar processes. Both have lower startup costs than other processes, enabling cost-effective creation of lower quantities of parts. But they also have some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Our chart will help you understand some of those differences. THERMOFORMING FIBERGLASS PROCESS OVERVIEW A plastic production process that heats a rigid 2-dimensional sheet and uses vacuum and/or pressure to form that sheet against a mold into a 3-dimensional shape. Fiberglass reinforced resin is formed into 3-dimensional shapes. The resin is applied in multiple layers to build up strength and achieve the desired thickness. VOLUME Most cost effective in production volumes from hundreds to mid thousands. Used mainly in prototyping and smaller production runs MATERIAL TPO, (Thermoplastic Poly Olefin) is a popular material choice for replacing fiberglass. TPO is more durable, crack and UV resistant and significantly lighter when compared to its fiberglass counterpart. Hundreds of material options in colors, textures, thickness and specialty features like chemical resistance, flammability ratings and many more. A choice of fiber materials, fiber weave and either polyester or epoxy composite materials. FINISHED PART WEIGHT (SEE SPECIFIC GRAVITY GRAPH) Up to 35% Lighter Up to 35% Heavier FINISHING OPTIONS Can be molded in color & texture. Offers a high quality unpainted finish. Can be painted or silkscreened. Can easily create high-gloss scratch-resistant finishes. Metallic options available. Must be painted. Limited options for high-gloss scratch-resistant finishes. RECYCLABILITY Both final thermoformed parts and excess material are fully recyclable. The final parts are non-recyclable, and the process uses a significant amount of hazardous materials. LABOR COSTS & LEAD TIMES Thermoforming is a highly automated process, particularly at state-of-the-art facilities like Ray Products. Most parts are made from an aluminum tool, which decreases lead times and provides lower labor costs. From a processing standpoint, thermoforming is faster and less expensive in volumes of high hundreds to mid thousands. Fiberglass molding is a very labor intensive process and often requires multiple tools for the production of a single part which results in slow production output, higher costs and longer lead times compared to thermoforming. TOLERANCES & COMPLEX GEOMETRY Thermoforming can support the tight tolerances and complex geometries necessary to create mating parts. It’s difficult to support the complex geometries and tight tolerances necessary to create mating parts with fiberglass molding. PART-TO-PART REPEATABILITY IMPACT RESISTANCE UV RESISTANCE MOLDED-IN FEATURES DURABILITY The specific gravity of a material is useful in comparing the weight of different materials. A lower specific gravity will result in a lower weight for an equal amount of material. By looking at the specific gravity of common thermoplastics used in thermoforming and comparing them to the specific gravities of common fiberglass materials, we can easily see the benefits offered by thermoforming. LEARN ABOUT THERMOFORMING Thermoforming vs. Fiberglass Thermoforming vs. RIM Thermoforming vs. Injection Molding The Process of Thermoforming Plastics Thermoforming Industries & Applications Vacuum & Pressure Forming Materials & Tolerances Terms & Definitions Access Our Library LEARN Thermoforming vs. Injection Molding Thermoforming vs. Fiberglass Thermoforming vs. RIM Thermoforming Basics – The Process of Thermoforming Thermoforming Industries & Applications Vacuum & Pressure Forming Materials & Tolerances Terms & Definitions Access our Library PROJECT GALLERY RAY PRODUCTS CAPABILITIES Large Part Thermoforming Pressure Forming Pressure Forming Tooling Fully Robotic Trimming 3D Precision & Quality Control Painting, Finishing, Assembly & Logistics Services ABOUT RAY PRODUCTS Events LATEST NEWS The In’s and Out’s of Pressure Forming – How Ray Products Offers a Complete Partnership 19 January 2021 3 Ways Large Part Thermoforming Redefines What’s Possible 17 July 2020 Announcing our 2019 Plastics Manufacturing Survey Winner 18 May 2020 RAY PRODUCTS 1700 Chablis Ave. Ontario, CA 91761 800-423-7859 info@rayplastics.com We Recycle © 2019 Ray Products Company Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Vive GET A QUOTE CONTACT US