PVC Foam Board Tolerances will impact how much the board will vary from the specified sizes, so before ordering any large quantities it’s important to check the thickness, width, length, flatness, squareness and batch consistency of the sheet. This will help prevent any issues when cutting with CNC machines, manufacturing furniture, printing and reordering.
Whilst individual sheets may look good, issues can occur when you are cutting a large quantity of sheets using the same machine settings.
1. Thickness Tolerances
The thickness will be one of the first things you’ll want to check especially if you’re using the PVC Foam Board for cabinet panels, furniture pieces or CNC machined components.
Whilst you may expect a sheet with an 18mm thickness to be exactly 18.00mm thick, there will likely be a tolerance allowed. This will depend on what you have agreed with the manufacturer.
PVC Foam Board specifications can have a tolerance of say +/-0.2mm or +/-0.5mm for various thicknesses and grades.
To check the thickness, use a caliper and measure the sheet at several points. Avoid any areas of damage, burring or areas where the measuring device may squish the material.
Note down the smallest and largest readings.
Small variations can cause issues with fitting slots together or placing panels in furniture.
2. Measuring the Length and Width
Whilst many sheets will measure 1220 x 2440mm, this does not tell you how much you can cut to with your tolerance.
If you’re a distributor supplying sheets to customers with automated cutting systems you may encounter issues with the yield of material or cutting allowances due to unexpected variations.
Measure both ends of the sheet width and both sides of the sheet length. Compare this to the dimensions and tolerances listed in your purchase.
For example, if you’ve ordered sheets with dimensions of 1220 x 2440mm, check whether you have agreed a symmetric tolerance or only positive.
Not all factories will be using the same tolerances.
3. Flatness
Even if the sheet meets the thickness requirements, if it’s bowed, twisted or warped it can cause issues.
If you’re using for signs, poor flatness can cause issues with UV printing, mounting or large display panels looking poor. Warped sheets can cause issues when making furniture.
To check the flatness of a sheet, place it on a known flat surface and measure the maximum difference between the sheet and a ruler/ suitable measuring devices. Note down your method of measuring.
Measure the length and width of the sheet. Check for twisting.
Consider how the sheet was stored. If it wasn’t supported properly or there was uneven weight then this can cause issues with the shape of the finished sheet.
Agree with your supplier what level of flatness you’re happy with and how you’ll measure the flatness.
For more information on how material choice can impact furniture manufacturing, click here.
4. Squareness and Cut Edges
Just because the sheet measures the right length and width doesn’t mean it’s cut squarely.
You may find you have issues aligning panels despite the measurements being correct.
A quick way to check is to measure both diagonals of the sheet. A square sheet should have similar measurements.
The difference can help to indicate any cutting issues, however this isn’t a complete check.
Check the edges of the sheet for any visible burring, uneven cutting, chipping or damage.
Having clean and even edges can reduce the amount of preparation needed if you’re supplying furniture and decoration manufacturers.
5. Checking for Consistency Between Sheets and Batches
Just because one sheet is approved doesn’t mean all the sheets will be the same.
If you’re a distributor or manufacturer ordering regularly then having inconsistencies between sheets can cause more issues than a small tolerance.
Measure multiple sheets from different pallets/batches. Take note of the thickness, dimensions, flatness and any visible issues with the sheet edges. Use the same method for checking.
For example, if you’re a manufacturer of furniture and have approved an 18mm sheet after testing on your CNC router, you may need to change your machining settings or investigate fitting issues if the next batch varies significantly.
By referencing the agreed technical specification when reordering you’ll avoid this issue.
If possible ask for batch numbers and measurements. Understanding how the manufacturer produces their PVC Foam Boards and their quality control can help you understand how they ensure they’re consistent.
What to Include When Ordering PVC Foam Board
Before ordering any large quantities, note down what you want to check.
Measurement | Requirements |
Thickness | What the nominal thickness is and what the tolerance is. |
Length & Width | What the required dimensions are and what the cutting tolerance is. |
Flatness | What the maximum tolerance is and what method you’ll use to measure. |
Squareness | What the maximum diagonal variance or angle is. |
Batch Consistency | How you’ll measure, what you’ll accept and what you’ll record. |
The requirements should reflect the final application of the sheet. If you’re using it for temporary advertising displays then you may not require the same level of tolerance as for a CNC machined furniture piece.
Ask the manufacturer what tolerances they can consistently produce. Any critical tolerances should be included within the approved specification.
When comparing sheet structures and specifications, take a look at our PVC Foam Board range.
Final Thoughts
You should check PVC Foam Board tolerances before ordering any large quantities.
The thickness, dimensions, flatness, squareness and batch consistency will all impact how reliably you can process the material.
The best thing to do if you’re an importer/distributor is to agree what the requirements are and measure samples.
If you’re sourcing PVC Foam Board for furniture, decoration or signage applications, let us know what thickness, sheet size, application and what tolerances you require. We can help you review the specifications.
