10 Things You Didn’t Know about Vac Forming
At Plas-Tech, we’ve been a leading vacuum forming company in the UK for over 30 years. We work with industries ranging from automotive to healthcare, offering reliable vacuum forming services. But even if you’ve heard of vacuum forming (vac forming for short), there are plenty of surprising facts that make the process more interesting than you might think.
Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about vac forming…
1. Vac forming dates back to the 1930s
The technique was first used nearly a century ago. Since then, vacuum forming has become one of the most versatile ways to shape plastic.
2. It’s not just for large parts
Many people assume vac forming is for big mouldings. In reality, it’s also perfect for small, detailed parts used in medical and retail products.
3. The process creates lightweight strength
Vacuum forming produces parts that are light but surprisingly strong. That’s why it’s popular in the automotive and aerospace industries.
4. You can form almost any thermoplastic
Plas-Tech offers vac forming services in a wide range of plastics. ABS, HIPS, polycarbonate, and polypropylene are just a few examples.
5. The tooling can last for years
A well-made mould can produce thousands of consistent parts without losing accuracy. That makes it cost-effective for long production runs.
6. Finishes go far beyond “plain plastic”
Vac forming doesn’t just create a basic shape. At our vac forming company, we can add textures, colours, gloss, matte, and even foil laminations.
7. Prototyping makes development faster
Vac forming services often include prototyping. At Plas-Tech, we use Ureol and 3D printing to test designs quickly before moving to full production.
8. It reduces waste compared to other methods
Vacuum forming uses flat sheets of plastic, which means we can reuse offcuts and reduce waste.
9. It works for both low and high volumes
Vac forming is flexible. If you need a few hundred parts or tens of thousands, we can scale production to suit your needs.
10. It’s used in more industries than you think
From shower trays and car dashboards to packaging and medical trays, vacuum forming shapes parts you see every day without realising.
Why Choose Plas-Tech for Vac Forming?
We’ve built a reputation as a trusted vac forming company by keeping everything in-house. Our services include design, tooling, forming, trimming, and final assembly. That gives you full control, faster lead times, and consistent quality.
If you’re looking for reliable vacuum forming services in the UK, Plas-Tech is here to help. Get in touch with our team today and let’s talk about your next project.