How a Fridge Liner Is Made

Primary process: Thermoforming. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a fridge liner, with an indicative cost.

ThermoformingPrimary process
PolymerFamily
6Route steps
+/-0.3mmTypical tol.

A fridge liner is primarily made by Thermoforming. Thermoforming heats a plastic sheet until pliable and draws it over a mould with vacuum or pressure, trimming the formed part from the sheet. Below is the full route to make a fridge liner, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.

Step by step

How a fridge liner is made

The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the fridge liner gets its basic shape.

  1. Material

    Select the plastic sheet grade and gauge for the fridge liner.
  2. Thermoforming

    Heat the sheet and draw it over the mould to make the fridge liner.
    Tooling Low to medium   Tolerance ±0.3 to 1.5mm   Lead 2 to 8 weeks
  3. Trim

    Trim the edges, flash and any waste material.
  4. Secondary

    Where the fridge liner needs them, add inserts, printed graphics or machined details.
    Tooling None   Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm   Lead 1 to 10 days
  5. Assembly

    Where the fridge liner joins other parts, snap-fit, weld or bond it into the finished product.
    Tooling Low   Tolerance good   Lead immediate
  6. Inspection

    Check fit, finish and any functional dimensions.

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Precision

Tolerances to expect

TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
+/-0.3mm typicalcoarsefine+/-1mm+/-0.1mm+/-0.01mm+/-0.005mm
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials

Materials for a fridge liner

GradeWhy it suits this
ABS/HIPS sheetEasy to form
PETGClear, tough
PolycarbonateImpact, clarity
Design

Design tips

General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a fridge liner is in the dossier.

  • Deep draw with sharp corners. Add draft + radii.
  • Tight tolerance expected. Design loose; it's a forming process.
Cost

What a fridge liner should cost

Trays, panels, packaging from heated sheet; low tooling, great for large light parts at low-to-mid volume.

PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
one-offat volumeVolume per order, low to highCost per part
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a fridge liner at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$29 to 82 per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER

Everything you need to quote and source it

The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a fridge liner and buy it well:

  • Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
  • Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
  • A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
  • The full DFM list and a ready-to-send RFQ draft

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See also: How Thermoforming works and the full route for a fridge liner in the finder.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is a fridge liner made?
A fridge liner is primarily made by thermoforming. The route is: Material; Thermoforming; Trim; Secondary; Assembly; Inspection.
What does a fridge liner cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $29 to 82 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a fridge liner made from?
Common choices are ABS/HIPS sheet; PETG; Polycarbonate.
What is the main process for a fridge liner?
Thermoforming. Trays, blisters, panels, clamshells and aligners at low to medium tooling cost.
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