Thermoforming Advantage
Hampel has been providing thermoformed solutions since 1976 for a vast array of markets and product applications ranging from parts found on cosmetic foot spas to large mining equipment. The range of applications and the benefits of the thermoforming process have greatly increased over the years. Today, thermoforming offers many benefits over other plastic processes, such as blow molding, rotational molding or injection molding, as well as other traditional materials like steel and fiberglass.
Cost and Time Savings
The thermoforming process requires a relatively low level of forming pressure, so tooling can be constructed less expensively than tooling used in other processes. Depending on the part size, thermoforming tooling can be considerably less expensive than injection and blow molding. 
Tooling can be produced in a very short timeframe relative to other plastic processes and you can also expect faster production turn around for large volume runs compared to rotationally molded or fiberglass reinforced plastic processes. Quick tooling turn around combined with faster production runs, results in quicker time to market.
Alternative to Steel and Fiberglass
With the rising costs of steel and fuel, OEM manufacturers are realizing the benefits of thermoformed parts. Thermoforming produces parts that are equal or in many cases superior in strength and longevity to parts manufactured out of steel and fiberglass. The various plastics available may also be lighter in weight and will not rust out like steel or have the inherent brittle attributes of fiberglass. Steel reinforcements can be encapsulated into the plastic in the twin sheet forming process resulting in a final product that is as strong as steel, but has all of the benefits of plastic. Examples include Hampel’s very patented Steel Span pallets and Hampel’s Calf-Tel Pen System front.
Design Flexibility
The thermoforming process lends itself well towards an array of materials, which come in a vast selection of colors, finishes and textures. Custom pre-colored plastic sheet can be used to give the final part a “class A” finish, which eliminates the need for post-production painting.
Large Single Piece Part Capability
Hampel Corp can product parts up to 7’ x 11’ with a 70” draw, which gives manufactures and OEM’s a superior alternative to multicomponent assembly or more expensive and time consuming materials and processes like steel and fiberglass.
Environmentally Friendly
Nearly all thermoformed materials are recyclable resulting in very little waste in the thermoforming process. Rather than sending scrap to a landfill, excess material is collected, granulated and extruded along with virgin resin into new sheet.