MANUFACTURING SERVICE
Custom Machined Plastic Parts
The ideal solution for functional plastic prototypes and low-volume production. We precision CNC machine custom plastic components with superior accuracy, strength, and surface finish, using real engineering-grade materials.
Precision, Performance, and Speed for Plastics
CNC machining is often the best choice for plastic parts when speed, accuracy, and functional performance are critical, especially at low volumes.
Production-Grade Materials
Parts are machined from solid blocks of the exact same engineering plastics used in injection molding, providing true functional properties for testing.
High Accuracy & Tight Tolerances
Achieve significantly tighter tolerances and superior surface finishes compared to 3D printing, crucial for precise fits and critical mechanical components.
No Tooling Investment
Eliminate the high upfront cost and long lead times of injection molds, making it ideal for prototypes, one-off parts, and low-volume production runs.
Popular Machinable Plastics
We machine a wide range of engineering plastics, each offering unique properties.
- ABS: A tough, impact-resistant general-purpose plastic, excellent for enclosures and functional prototypes.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Known for its incredible impact strength, stiffness, and clarity. Ideal for clear guards, lenses, and durable housings.
- POM (Delrin®/Acetal): Excellent for precision mechanical parts due to its high stiffness, low friction, and outstanding dimensional stability.
- Nylon (PA): Tough and wear-resistant, used for gears, bushings, and impact-resistant components.
- PEEK & Ultem™ (PEI): High-performance plastics offering extreme strength, heat, and chemical resistance for demanding applications.
- Acrylic (PMMA): Valued for its optical clarity, scratch resistance, and UV stability, ideal for display panels and clear prototypes.
Finishing Options for Plastic Parts
Achieving Your Desired Aesthetic & Function
- As Machined: Most cost-effective, showing fine tool marks.
- Bead Blasting: Creates a uniform matte texture and hides tool marks.
- Painting: Achieve any custom color (RAL/Pantone) and gloss level, from matte to high-gloss "piano black".
- Polishing: For clear plastics like PC and Acrylic, meticulous hand polishing can achieve optical clarity for lenses and light guides.
- Threaded Inserts: Install durable metal threaded inserts for strong, reusable connections.
Plastic Machining FAQ
How does plastic machining differ from metal machining?
Plastics generally machine at higher speeds but require sharper tools and careful chip evacuation to prevent melting and gumming. Coolant is critical to manage heat. Some plastics (like HDPE, PP) are "gummy" and challenging to machine cleanly.
Can you machine clear plastic to be optically transparent?
Yes. Machined clear plastics like Polycarbonate and Acrylic will initially appear translucent with tool marks. Achieving true optical clarity requires a secondary, multi-stage polishing process (either manual or vapor polishing), which we provide.