Plastic processing - No specific tooling : The Technology « Sheet Plastic Bending »

« Sheet bending » is a well-known term in the metal industry. Using this method to produce plastic enclosures is however an innovative and rather unknown alternative.

Usually one links the term « Sheet bending » with sheet metal production, sheet metal processing or with workshops where car bodies are repaired. During processing, sheet metal is cut, bent, or curved. The parts are then assembled by welding.

What is meant by « Sheet plastic bending » ? Who has invented this process ? Is it proven ?

« Plastic bending process » is an innovative technology in the plastics processing sector. It borrows techniques from metal but also from wood. The enclosure volume or cover is therefore broken down into elementary parts. The starting point of the production cycle is sheet plastics of different thicknesses. During the first step the individual parts are machined; these parts are then shaped by standard production means (no specific moulds) before being assembled. In the assembly process, methods that originated in carpentry are used, such as the « tongue and groove » method.

« Tongue and groove is a method of fitting similar objects together, edge to edge, used mainly with wood, in flooring, parquetry, panelling, and similar constructions. Tongue and groove joints allow two flat pieces to be joined strongly together to make a single flat surface. Before plywood became common, tongue and groove boards were also used for sheathing buildings and to construct concrete formwork. »
Wikipedia

At LTP, the « tongue and groove » mechanical assembly is solvent bonded, producing the effect of a cold weld that fuses the material. On the inside, we place the fixing elements: spacers, stand offs, rails, screwing blocks. The assembled case is then ready for finishing: Paint, print, clear varnish, and accessories. All these operations are carried out in our workshops.

The process « Sheet plastic bending » is the most efficient for small and medium-sized series with customised needs. At LTP, we design and manufacture your enclosure, your cover, or your plastic part without a specific mould, nor any investment costs to design a ready-to-use prototype. The latter will be entirely personalised with the possibility of evolution between each series.
This process allows you to design a custom case, even for a small quantity, to test a market or stabilise a product at the beginning of the life cycle.

LTP the inventor of the « Sheet plastic bending » process

The “SHEET PLASTIC BENDING PROCESS” technology was invented in 1985 by the founder of LTP. It is now a proven technology; we have been manufacturing annually over 200,000 enclosures, covers and parts for more than 35 years.

Stand alone kiosk enclosures, sloped enclosures, wall mounted enclosures or plastic parts: no specific mould or tooling

Each enclosure is custom designed and manufactured, tailored to your requirements and environment, and delivered ready to use. You can use it as soon as you receive it. Likewise, finishes can be fully customised and integrated: painting, digital printing, clear varnishing, and accessories.

Each design is materialised by a prototype, allowing you to validate before production or to make the necessary corrections.

To produce your parts in our process, our machines are set up specifically per project, so you don’t need to design or build a custom mould or tooling. A perfect solution for testing and then adapting a device.

With our innovative “SHEET PLASTIC BENDING PROCESS” and equipment, we can quickly produce small or large quantities of plastic enclosures, front panels, sloped enclosures, and wall mounted enclosures without the need for special moulds or tooling.

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