Perspex Online

Vacuum Forming

Union | Perspex Online

Vacuum Forming Services - Custom Plastic Formed Parts & Panels

Perspex Online offers professional vacuum forming services for a wide range of industries and applications. Backed by the fabrication expertise of P & M Plastics on the Gold Coast, our vacuum forming capability combines precision, flexibility, and cost-effective production — from prototypes through to production runs.

With three vacuum forming machines of varying bed sizes, we can form parts to suit small components through to large panels, delivering consistent quality and tight control over material and finish.

Double vacuum formers

How Our Vacuum Forming Service Works

Design & Material Selection

Design & Material Selection

We work with your drawings or ideas to determine the best material, thickness, and forming strategy.

Tooling & Mould Preparation Icon

Tooling & Mould Preparation

Depending on part geometry, we prepare or recommend suitable tooling (male, female, plug assist or composite forms).

Vacuum Forming Process

Forming Process

The plastic sheet is heated and formed over the mould using vacuum pressure, then trimmed, finished, and checked.

Trimming, Finishing & Delivery

Finishing & Delivery

Finished parts are inspected for quality, trimmed to shape, and readied for pick-up or nationwide delivery.

Vacuum Formed Cabinets

Why Choose Our Vacuum Forming Services

  • Experienced Fabricators: Over three decades of plastics fabrication expertise.

  • Multiple Machine Sizes: Flexibility to handle small to large components.

  • In-House Control: From design advice and tooling to forming and finishing.

  • Quality & Consistency: Consistent results with repeatability across runs.

  • Nationwide Delivery: Panels and parts shipped Australia-wide.

 

Whether you need a custom formed part for a vehicle, display component, industrial cover, or prototype piece, our vacuum forming services provide the capability you need.

Capabilities

Supported by a Full-Stack Shop

Vacuum forming at Perspex Online is supported by our full range of CNC routing, laser cutting, CNC Machine Lathe and plastic fabrication services, allowing formed parts to be trimmed, machined, and assembled in-house. This ensures consistent quality, accurate fitment, and faster turnaround from prototype to finished product.

Custom Parts for Emergency Vehicles
Custom Internal Dashboards

Vacuum Forming Materials

We primarily vacuum form using proven, industry-standard materials selected for durability, finish, and consistent forming performance. These materials are well suited to commercial, industrial, and transport applications where reliability and appearance matter.

 

Our most commonly used vacuum forming materials include:

 

  • ABS White Gloss
    A durable, impact-resistant material with a smooth, clean finish. Commonly used for housings, covers, panels, and display components.

  • ABS Black Haircell
    A textured, non-reflective finish ideal for vehicle interiors, industrial covers, and components where scratch resistance and reduced glare are important.

  • ABS Grey Haircell
    A practical, hard-wearing material suited to commercial and transport applications, offering a balance of durability and professional appearance.

  • ABS White Haircell
    Used where a light colour and textured finish are required, particularly for interiors, housings, and easy-to-clean applications.

  • PETG
    A clear or translucent forming material offering excellent clarity, impact resistance, and ease of forming. Commonly used for protective covers, display components, and transparent housings.

 

These materials allow us to produce consistent, repeatable formed parts across prototypes and production runs, with finishes suited to both visible and functional applications.

Typical Vacuum Formed Products

Our vacuum forming services are used across diverse applications, including:

 

  • Custom trays, bins, and inserts

  • Protective housings and shrouds

  • Panels and covers for machinery and equipment

  • Point-ofsale and retail display components

  • Vehicle and marine liners or interior panels

  • Packaging forms and components

  • Architectural and design elements

 

Vacuum forming is especially effective where large, contoured surfaces are required without complex machining or welding.

Our Vacuum Forming Capability

With three vacuum forming machines of different sizes, Perspex Online (via P & M Plastics) can accommodate a broad range of part dimensions and production volumes:

 

  • Multiple machine sizes for flexibility in panel and part size

  • Sheet sizes up to 1500 × 1000 mm (larger on request)
  • Custom tooling and mould support for deep draws and formed shapes

  • Skilled operators experienced in thickness control, heating profiles, and material behaviour

  • Quality checks at every stage to ensure form integrity and dimensional accuracy

 

This capacity makes us suitable for one-off prototypes, small production runs, and repeat manufacturing projects.

Vacuum Formed Components for Emergency & Transport Vehicles

We manufacture vacuum-formed plastic components for emergency vehicles, buses, and coach fleets, where durability, consistency, and fit are critical. These applications demand materials and forming methods that can withstand constant use, vibration, cleaning, and temperature variation, which is where vacuum forming is particularly effective.

For ambulance and emergency service vehicles, we vacuum form interior panels, covers, housings, and protective components using materials such as ABS haircell and PETG. These materials are commonly specified for vehicle interiors due to their impact resistance, ease of cleaning, and professional finish, making them suitable for medical and high-use environments.

In bus and coach applications, vacuum forming is used to produce shaped interior panels, trim components, access covers, and housings that need to follow complex contours while remaining lightweight and robust. Textured ABS finishes are frequently selected to reduce glare and hide wear in high-traffic passenger areas.

Because vacuum forming is supported by our in-house CNC routing, laser cutting, and fabrication services, formed parts can be accurately trimmed, machined, and assembled to meet vehicle-specific requirements. This ensures consistent fitment across repeat builds, refurbishments, and replacement parts.

Our experience working with transport and emergency vehicle components allows us to support:

  • One-off custom parts

  • Replacement components for existing vehicles

  • Small to medium production runs

  • Repeat manufacturing with consistent results

All work is carried out locally with full control over quality, tolerances, and turnaround times.

19062009006 | Perspex Online
Ambulance Internal Cabinet

Get a Quote

Ready to vacuum form your part? Provide your drawings or requirements and we’ll respond with a tailored quote and material recommendations.

Vacuum Forming Machine