Common Terms Defined

Plastic Enclosures
A custom plastic exterior cover that is manufactured by thermoforming, pressure forming, vacuum forming or injection molding. The plastic enclosure surrounds and covers electronic or electromechanical devices used in the medical, industrial or computer industries.

Plastic Thermoforming
Method of manufacturing plastic parts by preheating a flat sheet of plastic and bringing it into contact with a mold whose shape it takes. Learn More >>

Plastic Vacuum Forming
Automatic draping of a heat-softened plastic sheet over a female or male mold. Learn More about Vacuum Forming >>

Plastic Pressure Forming
Thermoforming technique that involves forcing a heat-softened plastic sheet against a mold, usually female, by introducing compressed air to the backside of the heated sheet. Learn More >>

Injection Molding
Process that involves heating plastic pellets or granules until a melt is obtained. The melt is then delivered to a split-die mold where it is allowed to cool into the desired shape. The mold is then opened and the part is ejected, at which time the cycle is repeated. Read about injection molding versus thermoforming >>

Drum-Buffer-Rope
A production planning technique that helps manufacturers create production schedules that are protected from the adverse effects of "Murphy" events. Learn more about DBR and lean manufacturing at ThermoFab >>

EMI Shielding
Application of a protective copper substance to protect enclosed electronic products from electromagnetic interference (EMI). At ThermoFab, we do all shielding in-house to ensure the highest quality.

Secondary Operations
Addition of inserts, mesh, and other features to custom plastic enclosures. ThermoFab’s revolutionary process puts more detail in the original part reducing the requirement for secondary operations.