MDE Plastics manufactures custom go kart body shell with thick-gauge vacuum forming molding. For the outer shell and panels, HDPE sheet is used. HDPE material is of high durability and impact-absorption. Furthermore, HDPE is lighter compared with fiberglass shell.
For the seating structure, ABS material can be used, which is of more rigidness. ABS also have a good impact-resistance. Both of them are quite suitable for non-motorised recreational indoor karts models and high-performance motorised and electric racing karts.
- HDPE refers to “high density polyethylene“
- ABS refers to “acrylonitrile butadiene styrene”
Two methods of constructing kart bodies: Using Fiberglass VS Vacuum Forming Molding
- If using fiberglass, cheap mold is needed; if mass production for vacuum formed go cart bodies, more expensive aluminium mold shall be used;
- Fiberglass material can not be reused and considered to be environmentally harmful. It is banned in some places. HDPE material can be recycled and reused;
- Plastic HDPE go cart bodies has a excellent flex and resilient enough to reduce damage during crashes;
- Vacuum forming is faster and quite suitable for mass production.
Traditionally, many go kart body shell are produced with fiberglass. However, this production methods is quite slow and can not make more complicated structures. As racing go-kart, or go-cart become more and more popular among youngsters and adults. Demand for more premium kart bodies is increasing.
Vacuum forming is fast molding tech, while has the advantage of low tooling cost. After thermoforming the structure of go kart shell, CNC machine will be used to precisely cut out the shape. Aluminum tooling is used, which can realize a elegant and sophisticated go cart body shell design.
Features of vacuum formed go kart body shells
- They can be manufactured at relatively low cost, quite suitable for mass production;
- HDPE go cart bodies are tough and protective, not easy cracking;
- HDPE go kart shell is light-weighted;
- Surface texture and color can be customized.
RIMO, a Good Sample of Vacuum Forming Bodies
RIMO a famous German racing Go-kart brand choose vacuum forming technology to produce HDPE plastic bodies for its all products series.
Q&A about go kart
