Custom Online Plastic CNC Machining Service

Our Custom Online Plastic CNC Machining Service offers precision machining for plastic parts, delivering high-quality prototypes and end-use components. We provide fast turnaround, cost-effective solutions, and flexible designs tailored to your specific needs in various industries.

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Know About Plastic CNC Machining

Plastic CNC machining is a precise manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled tools to create complex plastic components. Ideal for prototypes and production parts, it offers high accuracy, customization, and versatility across industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical.

Category	Description
Machining Properties	Plastic CNC machining offers high precision for creating complex shapes and intricate designs. Plastics like ABS, POM, PTFE, and acrylic are commonly used for machining. These materials have low thermal conductivity, which can be sensitive to heat buildup during machining. Most plastics are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to fabricate, making them ideal for diverse applications in industries like automotive and electronics.
Machining Parameters	Key machining parameters for plastic CNC machining include spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. The optimal cutting speed for plastics ranges from 200 to 5000 RPM, depending on material hardness. Feed rates are typically slower than for metals to avoid excessive friction and heat. Tool selection is crucial to prevent material melting or warping, and sharp, coated tools are preferable.
Precautions	Heat buildup is a significant concern when machining plastics. Use low cutting speeds, effective cooling, and sharp tools to avoid material warping or burning. Ensure proper clamping to prevent vibrations that could lead to inaccuracies. Additionally, ensure dust collection systems are in place, as plastic dust can be hazardous to health and may affect machining accuracy if not controlled.

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Common Plastic Used In CNC Machining

Common plastics used in CNC machining include ABS, Nylon, Acetal, PTFE, Polycarbonate, and PEEK. These materials offer diverse properties like strength, flexibility, chemical resistance, and high-temperature tolerance, making them ideal for applications in automotive, aerospace, and medical industries.

Plastics	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Fatigue Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Hardness (HRC)	Density (g/cm³)	Applications
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	40-70	30-55	10-20	5-30	10-20	1.04-1.08	Automotive parts, consumer electronics, housings
Nylon (PA – Polyamide)	70-90	50-75	30-50	20-200	80-85	1.13-1.15	Gears, bearings, automotive components
Acetal (POM – Polyoxymethylene)	60-80	50-70	30-45	15-25	90-92	1.41-1.42	Precision gears, bushings, bearings
UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)	30-40	20-30	5-15	200-300	45-50	0.93-0.97	Conveyor parts, chute liners, non-stick surfaces
PTFE (Teflon)	20-30	10-20	5-10	200-300	50-60	2.13-2.20	Chemical processing, seals, gaskets
Polycarbonate (PC)	60-70	55-65	20-30	120-150	120-130	1.20-1.22	Optical lenses, automotive lighting, protective covers
Polyethylene (PE)	20-40	10-20	5-10	500-800	60-70	0.92-0.97	Packaging, piping systems, insulation
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	40-60	30-50	10-20	5-40	85-90	1.30-1.40	Plumbing, electrical applications, signage
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)	90-100	80-90	50-70	30-50	90-95	1.30-1.40	Aerospace, automotive, medical implants
Delrin (Acetal Homopolymer)	70-90	60-75	30-50	15-25	90-92	1.41-1.42	Precision parts, automotive components, gears
Polypropylene (PP)	30-50	25-40	10-20	200-300	60-70	0.90-0.91	Packaging, automotive, medical devices
Polyimide (PI)	100-180	90-160	70-100	30-100	80-90	1.42-1.43	Aerospace, electronics, high-temperature applications
Polyester (PET/PBT)	60-80	50-70	25-40	5-20	80-85	1.32-1.35	Automotive parts, textiles, wear-resistant components
Polystyrene (PS)	30-60	25-45	10-20	2-5	80-90	1.04-1.06	Consumer products, medical devices, packaging
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)	20-40	15-25	5-15	100-500	45-50	0.90-1.20	Automotive seals, gaskets, medical devices
Polyurethane (PU)	50-70	40-60	15-30	50-150	90-95	1.10-1.25	Wheels, seals, industrial machinery
ABS/Polycarbonate Blend (PC-ABS)	60-80	50-60	20-30	5-10	80-85	1.12-1.14	Automotive interiors, consumer goods, electronic enclosures
Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)	20-30	10-20	5-10	200-300	50-60	2.10-2.15	Electrical insulation, seals, gaskets
Styrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN)	60-80	50-60	20-30	5-10	80-85	1.04-1.06	Consumer goods, medical devices, optical components
Polyetherimide (PEI)	90-120	80-100	60-80	30-50	85-95	1.27-1.32	Aerospace, automotive, medical devices
Polytetrafluoroethylene (FEP)	20-30	10-20	5-10	200-300	50-60	2.13-2.20	Electrical insulation, seals, gaskets
Acrylic (PMMA)	60-70	55-65	20-30	5-10	80-85	1.18-1.20	Displays, lenses, optical applications
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)	60-80	50-60	30-50	10-25	85-90	1.76-1.80	Tanks, piping, valves, chemical processing
Methyl Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene (MBS)	50-70	40-60	15-25	10-20	80-85	1.05-1.08	Automotive, electronics, consumer goods
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	25-40	20-35	10-15	300-500	60-70	0.94-0.97	Pipes, tanks, containers, outdoor applications

Surface Treatment for CNC Machined Plastic Parts

Surface treatment for plastic CNC machined parts enhances their appearance, durability, and performance. Common treatments include polishing, painting, coating, and texturing to improve resistance to wear, corrosion, UV degradation, and improve aesthetic appeal for specific applications such as automotive or medical devices.

Typical Plastic CNC Machined Parts

Typical plastic CNC machined parts include gears, housings, brackets, medical components, automotive fittings, and electrical insulators. These parts are precisely crafted for various industries, offering durability, lightweight properties, and resistance to wear, chemicals, and environmental factors, tailored to specific needs.

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Parameter Suggestions for Plastic CNC Machining

Parameter suggestions for plastic CNC machining focus on optimizing factors such as spindle power, spindle speed, feed rate, cutting depth, and tool material. Adjusting these parameters ensures efficient machining, high-quality finishes, and precise results tailored to the specific plastic material.

Parameters	Recommended Range/Value	Explanation
Spindle Power	1.5 kW to 10 kW	Higher spindle power may be needed for tougher plastics, allowing faster cutting speeds. A balance ensures efficiency and prevents overheating.
Spindle Speed	6,000 rpm to 24,000 rpm	Optimal spindle speed depends on material hardness. Higher speeds are used for softer plastics, while lower speeds are for harder ones to prevent melting or cracking.
Feed Rate	100 mm/min to 1,000 mm/min	Feed rate varies with material hardness and tool diameter. A higher feed rate is used for softer plastics, while lower speeds are necessary for precision.
Step Distance	0.1 mm to 1 mm	Small step distances result in finer finishes and smoother cuts, but may increase machining time. Larger step distances are quicker but could lead to rougher finishes.
Cutting Depth	0.5 mm to 5 mm	Shallow cuts are generally used for precision and finish quality, while deeper cuts can increase productivity but may cause part deformation for some plastics.
Tool Material	Carbide, High-Speed Steel (HSS)	Carbide tools are preferred for machining harder plastics due to their strength and wear resistance. HSS is a cost-effective alternative for softer plastics.
Tool Diameter	0.5 mm to 12 mm	Smaller tool diameters are used for precision and small features, while larger tools are used for bulk material removal.
Coolant Type	Air blast, Water-based coolant	Air blasts prevent material from overheating, while water-based coolants help reduce heat and improve tool life, especially for high-speed cuts.
Cutting Fluid Flow	20 L/min to 60 L/min	The cutting fluid flow helps cool down both the tool and the plastic part. Proper cooling prevents thermal distortion and extends tool life.
Cutting Direction	Climb Milling or Conventional Milling	Climb milling helps with smoother finishes and reduces tool wear, while conventional milling may provide better results for harder plastics.
Chip Removal Rate	50% to 75% of tool diameter	Ensures efficient material removal, avoiding overheating and ensuring a clean surface finish. High removal rates are used in roughing operations.
Tool Path Strategy	Raster, Contour, Spiral	The strategy depends on part geometry and desired surface finish. Spiral paths help achieve smoother results, while raster is effective for large surface areas.
Cutting Temperature	150°C to 300°C	Cutting temperature is critical to avoid plastic deformation. Cooler temperatures prevent warping, but higher temperatures may be needed for smoother cuts in tougher plastics.
Part Holding Method	Vacuum fixture, Clamps	Ensures part stability during machining. Vacuum fixtures are preferred for flexible parts, while clamps offer stronger hold for rigid plastics.
Vibration Control	Use of dampeners or anti-vibration tools	Reduces machining inaccuracies and improves surface finish quality, especially for soft or thin-walled plastic parts.
Machine Type	Vertical CNC, Horizontal CNC	Vertical CNCs are used for most plastic machining due to their ability to handle larger parts with precision, while horizontal CNCs may be used for more complex geometries.
Cutting Tool Coating	TiN, TiAlN, DLC	Coated tools increase the longevity of the cutting tool, especially in high-speed machining or with abrasive plastics.

Machining Suggestions for Plastic

Machining suggestions for plastic include selecting appropriate tolerances, wall thickness, and part size to ensure structural integrity and functionality. Considerations like drill size, lead time, production volume, and surface finish are crucial for optimizing efficiency, cost, and quality in plastic parts manufacturing.

Items	Recommended Range/Value	Explanation
General Tolerances	±0.1 mm to ±0.5 mm	Standard tolerances for most plastic parts. Allows for acceptable dimensional variations.
Precision Tolerances	±0.05 mm to ±0.1 mm	For high-precision applications like medical or aerospace parts where tight fitment is required.
Min Wall Thickness	0.5 mm to 2 mm	Ensures structural integrity and prevents warping during machining. Thicker walls may compromise part strength.
Min Drill Size	0.3 mm to 0.5 mm	To avoid drill bit breakage or deformation, considering the brittleness of some plastics.
Maximum Part Size	300 mm x 300 mm x 200 mm	Size constraints based on machining capabilities and material handling. Larger parts may need custom setups.
Minimum Part Size	5 mm x 5 mm x 2 mm	Ensures machinability while maintaining part features like holes or slots. Smaller sizes may result in handling challenges.
Production Volume	Prototyping, Low volume (10-500), High volume (500+)	For prototyping, low volume (up to 500) is ideal; high volume for mass production with cost optimization.
Prototyping	1-10 units	CNC machining is well-suited for producing a few test parts quickly for design validation.
Low Volume	10-500 units	Cost-effective for manufacturing small batches. Fast turnaround while maintaining quality control.
High Volume	500+ units	Best suited for mass production with efficient tooling and optimized machining processes for cost savings.
Lead Time	3-5 days for prototyping, 7-14 days for production	Depends on part complexity, material, and production volume. Faster lead times with simpler designs.
Surface Finish	Ra 0.8-3.2 µm	For parts requiring smoother finishes, Ra values below 0.8 µm are needed for visual or tactile performance.