In the last posting, I mentioned to some of the materials used in boat manufacturing. This post will include some advantages to using ABS in manufacturing boat interiors.
Often, boat builders will use a full fiberglass console that is built at a local shop and outfitted with the necessary running gear which is supplied by another vendor. The fiberglass consoles are relatively inexpensive to purchase, but they are heavy, don’t stand up to exposure to the sun, and the production rate is low, usually one to three units per day.
Using a fiberglass-backed ABS sheet in manufacturing boat interiors allows for some distinct advantages. First, forming an ABS sheet in the shape of your panels or consoles is relatively quick. Each tool can produce a part every ten to 15 minutes. Producing 50 parts per day is something that occurs during every production cycle. The application of fiberglass to the formed structures is very efficient in large lots.
The ABS sheets allow for easy drilling, forming, and bonding without the environmental impact of creating fiberglass dust and scrap. MEP recycles 100% of the scrap ABS material which is shredded and reformed into a “utility” material that we can use to form new parts. This recyclable characteristic has been very popular with our partner companies that have “Green” mission statements requiring them to provide verifiable reductions in environmental impact.
Our automotive grade paint shop can paint the ABS components with color matched paint quickly and efficiently. This is a very cost
Example of dash panel in Durasoft Taupe.
effective way to ensure that your interior fabrics will match the panel materials perfectly. Another popular option is applying Dura-Soft paints. These paints provide a soft texture feel to the components which is similar to vinyl wrapping, but without the time and expense. The Dura Soft paints can be color matched to your specifications and applied to virtually and formed panel.