Thermoforming of plastic in small batches

Plastic is ideal for the production of small batches, as the tooling costs are considerably lower compared to metal or other materials. Processes such as thermoforming or injection molding in particular offer cost benefits, as fewer complex molds are required. In addition, the variety of materials allows the use of cost-effective alternatives that still offer the desired properties. Production processes are faster and more efficient for small batches, which reduces the overall production costs. The reduced material consumption due to the possibility of thin wall thicknesses also contributes to cost savings. This means that small batches can be produced economically, even if the quantities remain low. This makes plastic particularly attractive for companies that want to test limited runs, offer specialized products or meet short-term market requirements without having to make large investments.

One of the biggest advantages of plastic in small series production is the freedom of design. Complex geometries, organic shapes or integrated functions such as clips, brackets or reinforcements can be implemented effortlessly. Plastic makes it possible to combine several functions in one component, which reduces assembly work and increases efficiency. This is particularly advantageous for small series, as adjustments or variations can be easily implemented. Whether for technical components or aesthetic requirements, plastic offers enormous flexibility. This enables the manufacture of individual or customized products that are precisely tailored to specific applications. This freedom of design is a decisive advantage when it comes to developing and testing innovative solutions for demanding markets.

The selection of plastics for small series is enormous, which enables precise adaptation to specific requirements. From impact-resistant ABS and temperature-resistant polycarbonate to transparent PMMA – the range of materials offers the right solution for almost every application. Plastics can also be modified with additives to achieve additional properties such as UV resistance, antistatic effect or chemical resistance. This variety of materials is particularly valuable for small series, as it enables the development of products that can withstand specific conditions of use. At the same time, plastics are lighter and often cheaper than alternatives such as metal or glass. This flexibility in the choice of material makes plastic ideal for small series that have to respond to different technical or optical requirements.

The production of small plastic batches is characterized by fast production cycles. Thermoforming or injection molding in particular make it possible to produce ready-to-use components within a short period of time. Tool preparation is less complex than with other materials, which speeds up the entire process. This is particularly advantageous when products need to be brought to market quickly or feedback needs to be responded to promptly. In addition, the easy handling of plastic means that design changes or adaptations can be implemented at short notice. Combined with the ability to access materials and processes flexibly, small plastic batches are an ideal solution for companies that need to iterate or adapt quickly. The shortened production times not only reduce costs, but also increase competitiveness.

Due to its low weight, plastic offers enormous advantages in small series production. Lighter products mean lower transportation costs, which is particularly advantageous for larger quantities or exports. Plastic parts are also easier to handle, both in production and during assembly. In industries such as automotive engineering, aviation or electronics, where the weight of a product plays a decisive role, plastic can be an excellent alternative to metal. Despite their low weight, plastics can be strong and durable, especially when fiber-reinforced variants are used. For small batches, this means that high-performance, lightweight products can be manufactured without compromising on stability or functionality. This makes plastic ideal for modern, efficient product solutions.

swissplast is your experienced partner if you are planning a project in the thermoforming of plastic in small series. We can look back on many years of experience in the production of small plastic series and use our expertise for your idea. Our small plastic series comprise up to 100 copies of the desired deep-drawn part. You have complete freedom of design in terms of color, thickness, surface, milling or printing of the components. As with large series, we at swissplast also attach great importance to the quality of the parts in the area of thermoforming plastic small series. Our particularly low error rate of 0.3% can also be maintained in the small plastic series because we work with care and consideration.

There can be various reasons for deciding to place an order for a small plastic series: You may want to produce a number of different prototypes of your product or you may need proof copies of an initial design draft. We support you in the realization of small plastic series by deep drawing. As with the production of plastic parts in large series, we are also very experienced in the production of plastic parts in small series. In addition to deep drawing for small plastic series, we also offer you our usual services such as CAD milling, assembly production or twin-sheet production of your small series. Of course, the project can also be priced in such a way that you benefit from ordering a small series instead of a large series.

Manufacturing small batches is one of our core competencies. Thermoformed plastic small series are particularly suitable if you are still in the development phase of your product. Small series enable you to experiment with the product and find the perfect design. At swissplast, we can produce small batches of thermoformed plastic on schedule, designed in close consultation with you. Our employees are professionals when it comes to creating and implementing plastic components. We know what is important and we advise you with the expertise of many successful years. Please contact our team and we will work with you in a communicative and transparent manner to determine which steps are necessary for a product in the thermoforming plastic small series category.