What is Plastic Cementing and Gluing?
Cementing and gluing are precision bonding methods used to join plastic components securely during the fabrication process. These techniques rely on solvent-based adhesives or specialist plastic glues to create strong, durable, and often invisible bonds between parts.
At Dipec, we use cementing and gluing in conjunction with our other plastic fabrication services – such as cnc machining, bending, and thermoforming – to assemble final products with clean, seamless finishes and long-lasting structural integrity.
Seamless Bonding for Precision Plastic Assemblies
Cementing and Gluing in Operation
Cementing and Gluing for Plastic Fabrication
Bonding plastic parts is often the final and most delicate step in the fabrication process.
We use:
- Solvent cementing, where a chemical solvent is applied to dissolve and fuse the plastic surfaces.
- Specialist plastic adhesives, selected based on the materials, application, and strength requirements.
- Jig-assisted alignment, to ensure perfectly positioned joins.
Our team ensures each bond is clean, secure, and aligned to your project specifications – whether it’s for display, function, or both.
Common uses of cementing and gluing include:
- Assembling multi-part plastic housings
- Creating enclosed units or boxes
- Sealing edges and seams for strength and appearance
- Joining machined or bent components into final forms
Invisible Seams & Clean Joins
Fast, Efficient Assembly
Strong, Durable Bonding
Suitable for Multiple Plastics
Great for Prototypes & Low Volumes
Ideal for Final Assembly
Applications of Cementing and Gluing
Plastic cementing and gluing are used across industries where neat, reliable plastic joins are essential for performance, safety, or appearance.
Retail & Commercial
- Display Cases
- Point-of-Sale Assemblies
- Enclosed Boxes & Panels
Industrial & Engineering
- Instrument Enclosures
- Process Equipment Covers
- Protective Housings
Transportation
& Aerospace
- Formed Component Assembly
- Sealed Edge Panels
- Lightweight Unit Construction
Medical & Scientific
- Storage Units
- Gloveboxes & Cabinets
- Cleanroom Assemblies
- Testing Chambers
Benefits of Plastic Bonding with Dipec
Choosing Dipec for your plastic bonding needs means your parts are handled with skill, care, and technical precision.
Clean, Seamless Finish
We ensure joints are smooth and visually neat – ideal for retail and commercial products.
Secure and Long-Lasting
Bonded assemblies are built to last, with strong adhesion suited to daily use and impact.
Multi-Plastic Compatibility
We select adhesives based on material type, ensuring the best bond for every project.
Ideal for Assembly & Prototyping
Perfect for final product builds, one-offs, or low-volume prototypes with fast turnaround.
Our Cementing and Gluing Capabilities
We operate with a wide variety of bonding agents and techniques suited to different plastic types and end-use requirements.
Whether you need bonded polycarbonate cases, glued acrylic displays, or sealed PVC panels, we tailor every job to suit your brief.
Plastic Materials
Our cementing and gluing processes are compatible with a wide range of plastic materials, including (among others):
Acrylic (Perspex®)
Polycarbonate
PVC
ABS
PETG
Acetal
HIPS
Foam PVC
Industries we work with
Our bonding services support plastic fabrication projects across a wide range of sectors:
- Retail & POS
- Industrial & Engineering
- Medical & Laboratory
- Transport & Defence
- Education & Public Sector
- Leisure & Hospitality
Whether you need fully assembled components or integrated bonding as part of a wider fabrication order, Dipec delivers expert results at every stage.
Why Choose Dipec for Cementing and Gluing?
As specialists in plastic fabrication, we bring:
- Decades of experience bonding plastic components
- Expert use of solvent welding and plastic glues
- Seamless integration with other fabrication services
- In-house assembly with jigs and quality control
- Fast, cost-effective service for low- to high-volume needs
Need Expert Cementing & Gluing for Plastics?
Contact Dipec Today for a Quote.
Cementing and Gluing Process at Dipec
We assess your component’s material, size, and purpose to determine the most effective bonding approach, whether solvent cementing or adhesive gluing.
Plastic surfaces are carefully cleaned, trimmed, and aligned. Preparation ensures strong adhesion and a neat final finish.
Based on the plastic type and application, we choose from a range of industry-grade adhesives or solvent blends designed for optimal bonding.
Parts are held in place using custom jigs or clamps. The adhesive or solvent is applied with precision to ensure a clean, controlled join.
Bonded parts are left to cure under controlled conditions. Once set, they are inspected for alignment, strength, and finish before moving to the next stage or dispatch.
Proudly Manufactured in the UK -
Quality British Plastic Fabrication
At Dipec, all cementing and gluing work is performed in-house at our UK-based plastic fabrication facility. We pride ourselves on combining skilled craftsmanship with state-of-the-art techniques to deliver clean, strong, and dependable results.
Every item is bonded with care by our expert team, using tried-and-tested methods refined over decades.
Why Choose Us?
- UK-based plastic fabrication facility
- Skilled adhesive and solvent bonding specialists
- Seamless integration with full fabrication service
- High-quality British manufacturing
- Reliable turnarounds and full quality control
- Eco-friendly handling of adhesives and waste
By partnering with Dipec, you’re choosing a trusted British fabricator who delivers high-quality results at every stage of production.
Get in Touch
Ready to discuss your plastic fabrication project?
Contact us today for a free quote or consultation.
Cementing & Gluing FAQs
Thermoforming is a plastic fabrication process where a thermoplastic sheet is heated until it becomes pliable, then moulded over a form or template to achieve a specific shape. Once the material cools, it retains the new shape. This method is widely used to create three-dimensional plastic components such as covers, panels, trays, and housings.
Common plastics used in Thermoforming include acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate, PETG, and ABS. Each material offers different benefits. For example, acrylic is excellent for transparent display products, while ABS provides strength and durability for industrial applications. The choice depends on the desired end-use, clarity, impact resistance, and thermal performance.
Thermoformed plastics are used in a variety of industries, including:
- Retail displays and point-of-sale units
- Protective machine covers and guards
- Museum and exhibition display cases
- Automotive trim and interior panels
- Food-grade packaging and trays
- Medical device housings and equipment covers
The process is ideal for both functional and decorative applications.
At Dipec, we can thermoform plastic panels up to approximately 2.2 metres x 1.0 metre in size. This allows us to accommodate large-format components, such as full-size display covers, protective panels, or sizeable curved signage, without compromising on strength or visual appearance.
Yes, Thermoforming is highly suitable for one-off prototypes, low-volume batches, and bespoke fabrications. Because it often involves lower tooling costs compared to injection moulding, it is a cost-effective solution for businesses needing custom-made plastic parts or small-scale production without committing to high tooling investment.
Thermoforming provides excellent shape retention and dimensional consistency, particularly when using CNC-machined moulds or jigs. While it doesn’t match the extreme tolerances of injection moulding, it is more than accurate enough for most applications, especially in retail, industrial, or architectural use.
Vacuum forming is actually a type of Thermoforming. It involves heating a plastic sheet and then using vacuum pressure to pull it over a mould. While the term “Thermoforming” refers to the broader category (which may also include pressure forming or drape moulding), vacuum forming is the most widely used method due to its simplicity, affordability, and efficiency for medium to large parts.
Yes. Once a part is thermoformed, it can be further processed using CNC trimming, drilling, line bending, bonding, polishing, and assembly. At Dipec, we often combine Thermoforming with our full suite of plastic fabrication services to create complete, finished products ready for installation or end-use.
Thermoforming offers numerous benefits for commercial and industrial clients:
- Cost-effective for medium to large parts
- Quicker turnaround compared to injection moulding
- Ideal for bespoke and batch production
- Durable and lightweight components
- Visually impressive finishes for display and branding
These advantages make it popular with industries such as retail, healthcare, construction, and exhibitions.
Thermoforming can be a more sustainable manufacturing option, especially when using recyclable thermoplastics like PETG and polystyrene. Off-cuts and waste materials are often collected and recycled, and because the process uses sheets rather than moulded pellets, there is generally less material waste. Clients can also specify eco-friendly materials for their projects.