https://www.sentinelplastics.co.uk/plastic-machining-uk/
Can You Machine Nylon - Yes, Plastic Machining Companies UK does.
Cutting tools rely on the rigidity. Not only of the tool but also the material being cut.
So, In the case of cutting metals, the materials' natural rigidity is good. Therefore, the component resists distortion when the cutter (saw, drill or machine bit) cuts the metal.
In the case of plastics, machining tends to lend itself better to rigid materials, such as fibre reinforced thermosetting plastics materials, glass reinforced nylons, acrylic or PEEK have good relative stiffness. Less rigid plastic tends to deform and bend away when the cutter attempts to cut the component, making the achievement of fine dimensional tolerances difficult.
Advantages of Machining Plastic Companies UK
- No mould costs.
- Ability to manufacture plastic components with short lead times
- Ability to manufacture economic low volumes
- Can trial a design before committing to tooling
- Thicker wall sections can be accommodated
- Components too large to be moulded can be machined from fabricated plastic
- The forces required to machine plastic are low
- Plastics normally machine dry
CNC Machining Plastic
If the component to be cut has a complex shape, its profile can be programmed into a computer. A CNC machining centre can be used to manufacture duplicate numbers of components. Multiple interchangeable cutters typically used on CNC machines enable complex and varied components to be machined.
Plastic Turned
If the shape to be achieved is round, then a simple turning operation can be used. Specialist supplementary equipment attached to the lathe can extend the capabilities of the lathe's operation.
Plastic Milled
This method of machining can vary from simple milling to profile and CNC milling.
Again, as with lathe work, either additions to the milling machine, or the use of a more complex milling machine can extend the milling machine's capability to make more complex shapes.