Vacuum Forming Tooling: Ureol vs Aluminium Moulds Explained
Every vacuum formed part starts with a tool. The material that tool is made from affects what you pay upfront and how long it lasts.
At Plas-Tech, we make vacuum forming tooling in-house in two materials. Ureol is used for prototype tools and aluminium for production tools. Knowing which suits your project helps you plan your budget and timeline before the first part is formed.
What Is Ureol Tooling?
Ureol is a machinable tooling board that lets us produce a mould quickly. We offer full Ureol prototyping in-house, which makes it a cost-effective, fast option when you need new or urgent tooling.
It works well for testing the shape and fit of a part before you commit to production tooling. Design changes are far cheaper to make at this stage.
When Does Aluminium Tooling Make Sense?
Aluminium is our choice for production tools. It suits projects that are ready for repeat orders, where the tool needs to keep producing consistent parts.
Across our vacuum forming services, we currently handle annual production runs from 200 pieces to over 40,000. Our aluminium machining centre can process billets over 1500 mm in length, and we can produce external casting tools upwards of 2.4 metres. Our vacuum forming machines mould parts up to 2.4 x 1.4 metres, so larger components are well within reach.
How to Choose Between the Two
If the design is still changing, or you need parts in hand quickly, start with Ureol. If the design is settled and you expect steady orders, aluminium is the better long-term investment.
Many projects use both. A prototype tool proves the design, then a production tool takes over once you are ready to scale. We support that route from prototyping through to full-scale production.
Why In-House Tooling Matters for Vacuum Forming in the UK
Our on-site tool room houses the equipment we need to make and maintain tooling. Because it sits alongside our vacuum forming operation, adjustments happen quickly and lead times stay shorter than they would with an outside toolmaker.
Our time-served toolmakers can also reverse engineer existing tooling or prototypes, so you can update an older design without starting from scratch. Once a part is formed, our on-site 5-axis CNC trimming finishes it to specification.
Talk to Us About Vacuum Forming Tooling
Not sure which tool suits your project? Our team can advise on design, material and volumes before you commit. Get in touch with Plas-Tech to discuss your UK vacuum forming requirements.