Engineered
Plastics
AGORA works with a wide range of engineering plastics selected for durability, dimensional stability, formability, and compatibility with soft goods and hybrid assemblies. Plastic materials are chosen based on performance requirements, environmental exposure, and compatibility with forming and molding processes.
These materials support everything from protective housings and structural reinforcement to precision molded components integrated into textile and hybrid assemblies.
Kydex is a thermoformable acrylic PVC composite known for toughness, dimensional stability, and resistance to moisture and abrasion. It maintains shape under normal use conditions and provides low surface friction, making it well suited for precision formed components.
We manufacture Kydex holsters and protective housings that integrate with mounting systems such as RAM Mounts to securely hold mobile computers, data acquisition devices, and field equipment.
AGORA utilizes a broad range of thermoplastics to support diverse product and manufacturing needs. Each material is selected based on mechanical performance, environmental resistance, and manufacturability within the overall product design.
- PVC
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Acetal (POM)
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Nylon
- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polyester
Plastics enable lightweight, durable, and cost effective solutions for products that combine soft goods, molded components, and metal hardware. Proper material selection allows engineers to balance structural strength, environmental durability, manufacturability, and long term reliability.
We evaluate plastic materials alongside manufacturing processes early in development to ensure components integrate seamlessly into the final assembly.
- Structural stiffening and reinforcement
- Thermoforming and vacuum forming
- 3D printing and rapid prototyping
- Overmolding and insert molding
- Injection molded components
This matrix illustrates how common plastics used by AGORA align with forming, molding, and fabrication processes. Final material selection depends on performance requirements, tooling strategy, and production volume.
| Plastic Material | Thermoforming / Vacuum Forming | Injection Molding | Overmodling / Insert Molding | 3D Printing (Prototype) | Stiffening / Structural Use |
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Kydex® |
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Boltaron® |
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ABS |
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Polycarbonate (PC) |
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PVC |
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Polypropylene (PP) |
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Nylon |
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HDPE |
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LDPE |
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Acetal (POM) |
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Polyester |
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- Commonly Compatible
- Typically Not Used
- Align material selection with manufacturing feasibility
- Reduce tooling risk during DFM and validation
- Support smooth transitions from prototype to production
Selecting the correct plastic process depends on part geometry, cost targets, production scale, and design intent.
- Medium volume production
- Larger or thinner wall components
- Lower tooling cost and faster startup
- Protective housings, holsters, and cases
- Faster design revisions
- Less suitable for intricate internal features
- Tight tolerances may require secondary operations
- Medium volume production
- Tight tolerances and complex geometry
- Integrated features such as clips, ribs, and bosses
- Structural and load bearing components
- Long term cost efficiency at scale
- Higher tooling cost
- Longer mold lead times
Thermoforming is often used during early development or medium volume programs where speed, flexibility, and cost control are priorities. Injection molding is typically selected once designs are finalized and production volume supports the investment in tooling.
AGORA helps customers evaluate both approaches early in development and select the manufacturing process that best supports performance, timeline, and scale.
Build it smarter.