What is CNC Plastic Machining and its Challenges?
Plastic CNC machining is one of the leading manufacturing procedures to create precision plastic parts using state-of-the-art machines. It is a subtractive approach where a solid plastic block is placed against a moving cutting tool to remove material from the solid block. It uses 3-axis mills and 5-axis CNC plastic milling machines to complete the fabrication of high-quality precision plastic CNC parts. You can create advanced machined plastic parts and components with the help of state-of-the-art equipment.
CNC plastic machining is a different procedure of plastic parts fabrication compared to other procedures such as plastic injection molding, 3D printing procedure and plastic machining services provided by manufacturing companies. They used the latest technologies and methods to fulfill the industry capabilities and demand of large volume plastics manufacturing.
What are CNC Plastic Machining?
CNC plastic machining is among the most efficient and accurate plastic components and parts manufacturing methods. A large volume of complex precision CNC parts can produce quickly with the help state of the art machines. Plastic CNC machining is a collection of different processes to manufacture plastic components and custom CNC machined parts. The main processes of CNC plastic machining include cutting, milling, turning, routing, grinding and drilling
CNC Cutting
CNC cutting is a program that mainly controls equipment and machine tool. In CNC cutting, the instructions are given to the control device of the automatic cutting machine. As a result, the cutting is done according to the instructions given by the machine.
The cutting efficiency and cutting quality are effectively improved and controlled by the CNC cutting machines.
CNC Milling
CNC milling is an operation that includes the rotation of the cutting tools. Tools work by removing the chips from the workpiece whenever they contact them. Following includes operations such as chamfer and end milling, drilling, tapping, boring, etc.
The milling process provides high-precision CNC parts to industrial sectors by using a wide range of metal and plastic materials. It is the quickest method and suitable for a variety of materials. There are many advantages of plastic CNC machining. Plastic components and machined parts are used in a wide range of industries, and complex parts having high performance can manufacture with the help of CNC milling.
Some disadvantages of plastic CNC machining are Production of a large amount of waste and High cost of equipment.
CNC Turning
CNC Turning is the exact opposite of CNC milling and has different capabilities. In CNC milling, the cutting tools rotate, while the workpiece rotates instead of the cutting tools in the CNC turning. CNC turning is used for the production of shafts. The workpiece rotates, and the tool is brought against it to cut the chips. It is highly suitable for achieving higher accuracy. Turning can use on the inside or outside of the cylinder. The use of turning inside the cylinder is referred to as boring.
Here are guidelines for producing plastic parts with CNC turning machining services.
- Use generous relief angles to cut edges
- Use C2-grades for carbides inserts.
- To reduce materials buildup. Polish top surface.
Routing
CNC routers show similarities to CNC plastic milling machines. The routers effectively cut the soft materials that don't need high accuracy. This cutting is due to the less output power of the routers. Routers are also very quick. It means that they can produce custom parts in a short time.
Grinding
In CNC grinding, the materials are removed with the aid of the rotating grinding wheel. It results in the production of metal parts with a high precision finish. And high surface quality. So, grinding is mainly used as a finishing operation.
Drilling
The primary purpose of this function is the production of holes. The drills produce a hole with the tool's tips. This function is considered as most effective solution and also provides greater accuracy.
Challenges of Plastics in CNC machining
Compared to the machining of the metals, plastic machining is much more difficult. Plastic is more beneficial than metals, and the main reasons are the low cost and the corrosion-resistant properties of metals. But plastic machining is quite challenging because of the lower thermal resistance and soft materials. Following are some main challenges of plastic in CNC machining.
Raw Material Distortion
Most of the time, the plastics rods are not perfectly straight. The same is the case with the plastic sheet; they are not flat due to their malleability. It results in difficulty and challenges with the bar feeding and fixturing. So, before machining, it is compulsory to qualify raw plastic. The machinist can use advanced techniques such as fly-cutting to solve these challenges.
Deforming
Deformation of plastic is one of the main challenges in the CNC machining of plastics. As we know, plastic is a softer substance. So, the shape of the plastic may change during the machining process. As a result, the required results may not be obtained because of the deformation.
Burring
Burring is also the main challenge in CNC plastic machining process. It is most common in CNC plastic machining and injection molding than CNC metal machining due to the softer matter of the plastics. Burrs can be removed either by the de-burr operations or by machining extra passes.
Cracking
During machining, the brittle plastic material may get chipped or cracked. Plastic with sharp corners and thin cross-sections is more subjected to cracking. Cracking can reduce by using the proper cutter and tool path.
Conclusion
CNC plastic machining is a suitable method for producing complex plastic parts to fulfill the capabilities of the industrial sector and project. CNC plastic machining includes methodologies like CNC cutting, milling, turning, grinding, etc. These processes produce the required complex parts of plastics. But, due to their softer nature, plastic parts face many challenges. The main challenges include raw material distortion, deforming, burring and cracking. These challenges can resolve if you contact a seasoned plastic services provider company to help you make the right decisions to complete your project.
Worthy Hardware is one of the leading companies in the industry and has experience working with high-precision parts and providing services to various industrial sectors. Our capabilities can meet the changes in product demand of plastics machining.
If you are interested to learn about our company and our plastic machining services. Don't hesitate to call us on your phone for complete information.
Worthy Hardware is a CNC manufacturing and sheet metal fabrication company,including CNC machining services,CNC milling services, CNC turning services, laser cutting services and stamping services.Call us +86-76989919645 or email us [email protected] for more discounts for your projects.