Tooling & Materials

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Crafting Tailored Tooling for Thermoforming Excellence

Providing Cost-Effective and Flexible Solutions

All custom thermoforming projects begin with the right tooling. At Joslyn, we design tooling in-house, which allows for complete quality control from start to finish.

The right tooling depends on the material of your finished product. Prototype tooling may be made from wood or composites, which are easier and less costly to modify. Production tooling is typically crafted from aluminum, which ensures better consistency during long production runs.

Compared to the tooling for injection molded parts, tooling for thermoformed parts is less expensive and more quickly produced. Design features, such as inserts in the molds, offer flexibility so you can vary part aesthetics or produce different models in a product line.

Choosing the Right Thermoforming Material

Joslyn's Expertise in Material Selection for Custom Plastic Solutions

Each plastic sheet has specialized physical characteristics that make it suitable for various applications. Joslyn Manufacturing has worked with nearly every type of thermoformable plastic and our team can help you find the best material for your project.

When selecting a material, we consider:

  • Thickness.  Some materials come in rolls as thin as 0.010". Others come in sheets as thick as 0.600”. Most standard-size thermoformed parts use plastic materials with gauges from 0.030" to 0.375".

  • Finish. Will the finished part require painting? Would a custom-color material look better? There are a variety of colors, textures and finishes available.

  • Durability. Will the product need to withstand a harsh environment? Will it be exposed to humidity, chemicals, solvents or detergents? Does this part need to withstand heavy weight or pressure?

  • Heat deflection. Will the product be used under high operating temperatures or be exposed to heat from another source?

  • Location. Will the thermoformed component be used on the interior or exterior of a product?

  • Secondary operations. Is assembly required?

Characteristics and Sample Applications

Discover the Versatility of Materials for Custom Plastic Solutions

HIPS

 (high-impact polystyrene)

Characteristics
Easy to process, low cost, low strength, impact resistance, dimensional stability, FDA compliant

Sample Applications
Prototypes, trays, housings, covers

ABS

(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)

Characteristics
Strength, impact resistance, customizable rigidity, heat deflection and other characteristics

Sample Applications
Cases, control panels, automotive components

Acrylic

Characteristics
High resistance to impact, chemicals, and stains

Sample Applications
Prototypes, trays, housings, covers

PC

(polycarbonate)

Characteristics
Extremely resistant to impact, clear, good insulation, higher cost

Sample Applications
Transparent items, instrument panels

HDPE

(high-density polyethylene)

Characteristics
High resistance to chemicals, impact, and electrical conduction; economical; not ideal for high tolerances or cosmetic appearance

Sample Applications
Truck bed liners, shields, bins

TPO

(thermoplastic olefin)

Characteristics
Strong, rigid, high resistance to chemicals, dimensional stability

Sample Applications
Automotive components, pallets

PVC alloys

(flame-rated polyvinyl chloride)

Characteristics
High resistance to chemicals and stains, strong, rigid, flame retardant

Sample Applications
Drain pans, panels, display cases

PETG

(polyethylene terephthalate glycol)

Characteristics
Clear, easy to process, chemical resistant, FDA compliant, not UV stable

Sample Applications
Industrial and automotive components, POP displays, packaging