The following are the detailed steps and required tools and materials to build a supermarket fruit and vegetable stand using extruded plastic sheeting, combined with its lightweight, easy to process features, while needing to pay attention to load-bearing and durability constraints:
- Extruded Plastic Sheet (thickness ≥5cm, density ≥30kg/m³ to enhance load bearing)
2. Structural reinforcement materials
- Wooden keel or aluminium alloy profile (for frame support)
- Self-tapping screws (to fix the frame)
3. Surface treatment materials
- Waterproof coating (epoxy resin or food-grade plastic film)
- PVC bumper strips (wrapping the edges to prevent bumping)
4. Adhesives
- Styrofoam (to fill the gaps)
- Structural adhesive (to bond the extruded boards to the frame)
II. Detailed erection steps
1. Design and planning
- Size determination: according to the booth space design table size, single layer recommended height of 70-80cm (ergonomic), multi-layer need to be reduced by 20-30cm per layer.
- Multi-layer structure: each layer is made independently and then stacked, need to add wood or metal columns at the vertical support point.
- Load-bearing prejudgement: the load-bearing capacity of the extruded plastic sheet is limited, it is recommended that the load per square metre is ≤50kg (the pressure needs to be dispersed through the frame).
2. Cutting of extruded panels
- Cutting of panels:
- Use a tape measure to mark the size, and a straightedge to draw lines.
- Cut along the line several times with a hobby knife (break it after half depth), or use a hot cutting knife to cut out a flat edge.
- Edge treatment: Use sandpaper to polish the burrs of the cut to prevent debris from falling off.
3. Making the reinforced frame
- Frame assembly:
- Use wooden keel or aluminium alloy profile to make the outer frame (the size is slightly smaller than that of the extruded board, embedded inside to increase the strength).
- Add support strips every 30cm horizontally (to prevent the middle of the board from collapsing).
- Fixing the frame: embed the frame in the slot on the back of the extruded board and fix it with self-tapping screws (the screw heads should be sunk into the board).
4. Assembly
- Bonding the sheet:
- Apply structural adhesive on the contact surface of the frame and press the extruded sheet to fit.
- Inject styrofoam into the joints to fill the gaps, and fix the tape temporarily until curing.
- Multi-storey structure: Connect the layers with vertical support columns (e.g. PVC pipes or wooden columns) to ensure stable centre of gravity.
5. Surface treatment
- Waterproof coating:
- Apply 2-3 coats of epoxy resin (each coat to dry before applying the next coat), or apply food-grade PVC waterproofing film.
- Edge protection:
- Wrap around with U-shape PVC edge strips and fix with structural adhesive to prevent bumping and enhance the aesthetics.
6. Functional optimisation (optional)
- Drainage design: the surface is slightly inclined (slope of about 2 °), low-side drainage holes to connect the hose to guide the flow.
- Anti-skid treatment: Anti-skid mat or embossing treatment on the surface.
III. Precautions
1. Load-bearing safety: avoid stacking heavy objects (such as boxes of fruit), can be dispersed or increase the support points.
2. Fire hazards: extruded plastic board is flammable, need to stay away from heat sources, the surface can be painted with flame retardant paint.
3. Hygiene compliance: the surface materials need to meet the food contact safety standards (such as the choice of solvent-free epoxy resin).
4. Regular inspection: Check whether the structural adhesive is aging after long-term use and repair it in time.
IV. Costs and Alternatives
- Low-cost option: Pure extruded board structure (lightweight use only), covered with waterproof tablecloth.
- Enhanced solution: Extruded board + OSB board composite structure (increase the load bearing to 100kg/m²).
With the above steps, you can quickly set up an economical and practical fruit and vegetable table that combines lightness and functionality, suitable for short-term promotions or temporary stalls. For long term use, it is recommended to upgrade to a wooden or metal frame structure.
