Transportation - Railcar
Productive Plastics is a leading custom plastic thermoforming component supplier for the mass transit rail industry. The plastic thermoforming process (vacuum forming and pressure forming) is uniquely suited to the emerging needs of the mass transit rail and railcar interiors/exteriors industry, offering extremely lightweight and durable materials that meet industry standards such as FST, Doc 90, and FMVSS 302. Plastic thermoforming also enables a much higher design flexibility for interior components at a very attainable cost. Features such as undercuts, advanced tooling, and tooling imbedded surface finish options make benefits like complex geometric parts, closely mated component assemblies, surface texturing, and a wide variety of paint free pre-colored material options available to designers and engineers. Such benefits are not achievable or are cost prohibitive with many other manufacturing processes such as molded fiberglass (FRP) and metal.
Railcar/Rail Vehicle Common Thermoforming Applications
Plastic thermoformed railcar interior & exterior components are ideal for a
wide variety of industry applications and Productive Plastics currently manufactures thermoplastic component parts for leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of rail vehicle components such as:
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Seating Components
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Wall and Ceiling Panels
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Tray Table Components
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Window Shrouds
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Lighting Housing
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Bulkhead Components
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Display Enclosures
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Luggage Racks
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Exterior Components
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Partitions

Plastic Thermoforming Advantages for Railcar an Rail Vehicle Interiors & Exteriors
Plastic thermoforming provides a lightweight, economical, and attractive solution for mass transit railcar components. Thermoforming can deliver parts that are up to 40% lighter, more durable, and a lower cost by part volume then molded fiberglass. In addition, industry formulated thermoplastic materials can meet the most stringent transportation safety standards by utilizing transportation specific thermoplastic materials that meet Docket 90, FMVSS 302, and their European equivalent requirements. Combine these features with the incredible design flexibility of thermoplastic and the list of advantages is numerous.
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Lightweight Material
Thermoplastic is up to 40% lighter than fiberglass, 6 times lighter than stainless steel, and 1/2 the weight of aluminum
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Lower Operating Costs
Lightweight material equates to higher fuel or battery efficiency and reduced maintenance costs
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Industry Compliant Materials
Docket 90 and FMVSS 302 compliant thermoplastic material options available
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Aesthetic Designs
Modern and streamlined design capabilities and flexibility at lower cost
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Variety of Surface Finishes
Material and in mold options for integral color, textures, patterns, or branding
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Strong and Impact Resistant
Rugged thermoplastic material can withstand impacts and is less likely to dent, chip, or crack
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UV and Graffitti Resistant
Thermoplastic material options available with high UV and graffiti resistance
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Large Parts at Low Cost
Large part capable up to 96″ x 120″ with low upfront tooling investment
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Moderate Volumes
Ideal process and competitive cost for EAU of 250-3000 parts
Custom Railcar Component Manufacturing with Productive Plastics
Productive Plastics has been manufacturing custom
thermoformed components and project solutions since 1955. Over 65 years of
expertise in pressure and vacuum forming, thermoforming design, tooling engineering, and surface finishing. Our team is constantly evolving
and streamlining our processes and
manufacturing systems to maximize the advantages of plastic
thermoforming and minimize the cost and production time for your application.
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Engineering and design support from initial concept to production
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Extensive experience with rail vehicle industry formulated thermoplastic materials and suppliers
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Highest quality and satisfaction commitment
