Useful tips for CNC plastic machining
Traditionally, NC machining has been regarded as a machining method. However, modern industry is constantly increasing the accuracy requirements of parts of all possible materials. This is why CNC plastic processing technology was developed. It now occupies a considerable position in high-precision, low-volume production and prototype manufacturing of plastic parts. Whether you need any plastic prototypes or custom parts, fusion of complex components, or finishing and polishing services for small batch production, we can provide advanced CNC prototype services as well as high temperature and high strength plastic machining materials. Why plastic parts are popular Why is plastic so popular? Since the invention of industrial polymers, the invasion of plastics into all branches of modern industry has been unstoppable. There are many reasons for this. These include plastic parts that are cheap, lightweight and durable. The cost of manufacturing them is much lower than metal parts. CNC plastic machining method There are many ways to produce high-precision plastic parts. Modern industrial grade plastics are cast, injection molded, printed or machined. The first three options are well-suited for manufacturing complex geometry parts with excellent surface finishes. But when you need to achieve tight tolerances or produce a mirror-like surface finish on almost any type of part, nothing is better than machining. About 80% of plastic parts are CNC milled. This is the most widely used method for manufacturing parts without a rotating shaft. All the rest are usually opened on a lathe. In some cases, ad slots or programs are implemented. Mainly used to make internal grooves or rectangular holes. For excellent surface finish, CNC machined parts are polished or chemically treated. CNC plastic materials ISO certified CNC equipment can provide services including: milling, turning, drilling, sanding, grinding, punching, tooling, welding. We have the ability to make high-performance plastics of various materials in plates, round rods, etc. Plastic machining skills Machine tool First, it needs to be clarified that there is no plastic CNC machine. Virtually all machine tools used to cut plastic are metalworking tools. Their precise rigidity and power output allow them to easily process even hardened plastics. Woodworking machines are less rigid and therefore less effective Cutting tool Choosing the best cutting tool for plastic parts is a complex job. The reason is that the composition of plastics and composite materials varies widely. Some plastics are reinforced with hard carbide particles or have additives that enhance flexibility, heat resistance or other parameters. All this changes the way plastics respond to machinery. Even the colorant of the material is important because, depending on its type, the hue may change during processing due to a large amount of heating. Having said that, it is clear that the correct cutting tool geometry must be selected for the plastic part being machined. For example, a milling cutter is similar to an aluminum milling cutter with two grooves, but the sharp edges have sharper angles. Their protagonist (120 degrees for metal) becomes only 60 degrees. This way, the chips are smaller and can be removed more easily. However, you cannot use this drill on plastic. It will burst in a few minutes. Part settings When setting up CNC plastic blocks, please keep in mind. Plastic is not metal. If you clamp the blank with too much force, it is easy to leave large marks on the surface. In fact, if you apply too much force, the part may break. If you want to avoid 100% marks, it is recommended to use a special pad made of a softer material between the fixture and the part. Another issue is the rigidity of the part. For example, if you are going to drill a fairly large part (think of a laptop case). You need to pay close attention to the distance between the drilling position and the fixture. In the process, the drill will attempt to pull the part up along its groove, and if the fixture is too far, the drill will succeed. It can bend the part, or it can actually tear the part off the fixture. The role of plastics in CNC prototyping Plastic machining services are closely related to CNC prototype technology. Polymer materials are ideal for prototyping and engineering verification. The reason is that plastic is actually easy to process. If you don't have any heating or molding equipment, making parts from CNC plastic blocks is a great way to get these prototypes quickly and easily. You can use the same widely used equipment as you do with metals, so you have great flexibility. Cutting speeds and feeds will be faster, so delivery times are shorter, and there is an opportunity to test your product samples and bring them to market faster, faster than your competitors.