VACUUM FORMING - FIBREGLASS & COMPOSITES - RIM & PU MOULDING CAD /CAM /TOOLING - PROTOTYPING & MODELMAKING - FIXTURES -
CMM INSPECTION - CRAFTSMANSHIP & DESIGN

A P Hollings are involved in short run to production quantities of many different products, we are able to form 1 off prototypes through to 1000 off batches.

We vacuum form within the complete range of plastic materials, as dictated by the application of the end product. Depending on the nature of the job we can produce low cost tooling in MDF and or Ureol for short batch runs from 1 off to 100's off, through to fully water cooled aluminium tools for 1000's off.

All tooling design and manufacture is made in house, either by CNC or using our skilled tool makers. All trimming and router fixturing are designed and made in house We also undertake full assembly of vacuum forming parts.

A P Hollings are active in all aspects of Fibreglass from producing our own patterns and plugs in house, from hand lay up of bespoke one off prototype through to low volume quantities of mouldings. Our patterns are made in a variety of, or combination of materials that include MDF, Melamine, Ureol tooling board and Epoxy tooling board.

The patterns are made either by using our large CNC machine or using traditional hand making methods by our own time served skilled team. Fibreglass components require finishing and to achieve this, trimming /router masks and fixturing is designed and made in house. We can undertake the fitting of inserts to full assembly of Fibreglass parts, together with client free issue parts.

Process Overview :

Due to the relatively low pressure and temperature involved in the RIM process, moulds can be made from either aluminium or epoxy resin. Which of these materials is used for each application depends largely on the required life of the mould and the complexity of the component to be moulded.
For production of 10,000 mouldings or more, aluminium moulds are cost effective, and cost considerably less than injection moulding tools. Aluminium moulds should usually be used where a component has fine detail. For low volumes, rigid '
plastic' mould tools are manufactured from a rapid prototyped SLA model or from a CNC machined 'A' Surface master model.

We are able to integrate client data either in a 2D or 3D format into tooling or fixtures required to suit the end use. We utilise the latest automotive standard design platforms along with: Delcam Powermill, Power Shape and Power inspect. Full CAD modeling and surface generation. Catia V4 & V5, IGES, DXF, DWG, VDA, JT, Delcams PS models & DGK, Pro Engineer, Unigraphics, STEP, STL, VRML, HPGL & MoreFTP data exchange CNC machining in all materials, metals, composites and plastics to support the manufacture of either parts, tooling and fixtures.

3D Scanning

This system, able to capture 1.3 million points per scan allows us to digitally acquire just about any physical item, large or small. The 3D scanners are entirely portable and so can be taken to the subject if necessary.

APH processes to produce prototypes and models offer a variety of applications from using traditional hand methods used by our skilled craftsmen, through to CNC machining from CAD masters, or the latest Rapid Prototyping techniques. These include SLS & SLA to build some or all of a model or prototype.

But as always the finished assembly or model relies on the experienced eye to achieve a perfect function or finish. Some of these RP parts are used for Vac forming Casting of small precise patterns.

How best to reduce the assembly or manufacturing time of a product, is crucial to improving its quality and profitability. The correct design of special purpose jigs and fixtures is an integral part of the development cycle. With our 3D CAD modelling system we can design a virtual jig or fixture to suit a client's product. The image can be approved prior to manufacture ensuring the delivered product meets the client's expectations

Manufactured to customer specifications for trimming, machining assembly and inspection: Checking fixtures / Assembly fixtures / Router fixtures Bonding fixtures / Water jet cutting fixtures / Drilling fixtures.

AP Hollings have been providing a
service of CMM for many years, it is an essential part of our kit. The working table is 3mx2m offering the scope for large component inspection. We can offer full inspection components machined by us or as a sub-contract service on clients parts. Fully detailed dimensional (cpa)capability studies or reports are published.

As an ISO9001-2000 quality accredited company and operating a service like this, we can assure our clients, that the support offered is of the highest integrity.

Vacuum forming is something that AP Hollings have provided since opeing over forty years ago, with vauum formers providing a vacuum forming service, AP Hollings ca be proud of the vac forming engineers they have developed, if you need a vacuum forming company or vacuum forming manufacturer contact us

Our craftsmanship knowledge allows us to combine traditional skills along with technology to create from customer media ie, clay models drawings and 3D data the following:

• Models for surface verification.
• Datum models.
• Concepts and Master show   models to demonstrate design,   engineering , materials   technology and fit & function

Craftsmanship does not exclusively mean Automotive, in fact everything undertaken by AP Hollings has this element intuitively given by our time served Artisans. We believe that a passion for what we do, is perhaps the reason why our customers keep coming back to get a product, at the right price, the best quality, the quickest lead time, but with no compromise in the crafted end result.