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What is CNC Machining Plastic Parts?

CNC machining of plastic parts involves using computer-controlled machines to shape and finish plastic materials with high precision. This process is essential for producing custom plastic components in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer products. CNC machining solutions, including CNC milling service, CNC turning service, and drilling, allow for the creation of complex designs and intricate details in plastic parts, ensuring they meet specific performance and design requirements.

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Types of Plastics We Commonly Manufacture

There are many types of plastic parts, such as: PP, POM, Nylon, PMMA, ABS, Teflon, PEEK, PC, PVC, etc.

Type of Plastic Common Name Key Characteristics Typical Applications
ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Good mechanical properties, impact strength, and easy to machine Electronic housings, automotive components
Acetal POM (Delrin) High stiffness, excellent frictional characteristics, and good thermal stability Precision gears, bearings, bushings
HDPE High-Density Polyethylene Excellent chemical resistance, lightweight, good impact strength Food processing equipment, chemical tanks
Type of Plastic Common Name Key Characteristics Typical Applications
ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Good mechanical properties, impact strength, and easy to machine Electronic housings, automotive components
Acetal POM (Delrin) High stiffness, excellent frictional characteristics, and good thermal stability Precision gears, bearings, bushings
HDPE High-Density Polyethylene Excellent chemical resistance, lightweight, good impact strength Food processing equipment, chemical tanks
Nylon Polyamide Strong, durable, and resistant to abrasion; good for mechanical parts Wear plates, gears, structural components
PMMA Acrylic Strong thermoplastic, optical clarity, UV resistant Displays, lenses, light guides
PEEK Polyether Ether Ketone High-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and thermal properties Medical device components, aerospace parts
Polycarbonate PC High impact resistance, can be transparent; suitable for demanding applications Safety shields, electronic housings
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride Versatile, good chemical resistance; used in a variety of applications Chemical processing parts, industrial fixtures
UHMW-PE Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Extremely wear resistant, low friction, high impact strength Wear strips, cutting boards, chute liners

common types of plastics for cnc machining
custom machined plastic parts

What Are The Common Surface Treatments Of CNC Machining Plastic Parts?

In order to make the plastic parts look more beautiful and textured, the products are usually surface treated.

The common surface treatments of plastic machining are: Frosting, spraying, silk screen printing, pad printing, thermal transfer printing, water transfer printing, laser engraving, electrophoresis (water electroplating), vacuum coating, bite pattern (etching, skin texture) for plastic abrasives.

Electroplating and painting are common processing techniques for surface treatment of plastic parts.

ZHXING has more than 20 years of experience in the production of plastic products, no matter what kind of personalized design you have, ZHXING will provide you with one-stop custom machining service.

Applications of CNC Machined Plastic Parts

  1. CNC Milling: CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling is a common method for machining plastics. It allows for high precision and repeatability, making it suitable for complex shapes and detailed designs.
  2. Laser Cutting: Laser cutting is often used for acrylic and other plastics, especially for intricate designs. It provides clean edges and can handle various thicknesses, although care must be taken to avoid melting.
  3. 3D Printing: While not traditional machining, 3D printing is increasingly used for creating plastic parts. It allows for complex geometries and rapid prototyping, although it may not achieve the same mechanical properties as CNC machined parts.
  4. Waterjet Cutting: Waterjet cutting is another method that can be used for plastics. It uses high-pressure water to cut through materials without generating heat, which can be beneficial for heat-sensitive plastics.

Advanced Machining Capabilities

Our facility features advanced 5-axis CNC machining centers that allow us to produce complex plastic components with undercuts, compound angles, and contoured surfaces in a single setup. This reduces handling, improves accuracy, and ensures consistent quality across production runs.

We also utilize precision CNC turning for cylindrical plastic components, achieving exceptional tolerances for parts like bushings, spacers, and precision fittings.

types of plastic for cnc machining
cnc plastic part

Surface Finish Options

We offer various surface finishes for plastic machined parts:

  1. Polished Finish: High gloss, mirror-like appearance for optical clarity or aesthetic appeal
  2. Matte/Brushed Finish: Brushed surface texture for reduced glare and fingerprint visibility
  3. Textured Finish: Patterns for improved grip or aesthetic purposes
  4. Bead Blasted: Uniform satin appearance with good light diffusion
  5. Painted/Coated: Custom colors and protective coatings for UV resistance or wear protection
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Best CNC Machined Parts Manufacturer and Factory in China.

Offer Fast and Cost-Effective One-Stop CNC Machining Services.

Free Machined Parts Design to Your Projects with Fast Turnaround Times.

material selection guide for plastic machining

Material Selection Guide for Plastic Machining

Selecting the right plastic material for your CNC machined parts is crucial for optimal performance. Consider these factors:

  1. Mechanical Requirements: Will the part bear loads, require stiffness, or need impact resistance?
  2. Thermal Conditions: What temperatures will the part experience during operation?
  3. Chemical Exposure: Will the part come into contact with chemicals, oils, or solvents?
  4. Regulatory Compliance: Does the application require FDA, USP, or other certifications?
  5. Cost Considerations: Balance performance requirements with budget constraints

Our engineering team can help you select the optimal plastic material for your specific application needs. For complex applications, we recommend custom plastic parts consultation to ensure the best material choice.

Applications of CNC Machined Plastic Parts

The CNC machining plastic parts have a wide range of applications, involving almost all industries, such as home appliances (most of the casings of home appliances are plastic products), toys, mobile phone casings, computer casings, auto parts, daily necessities and so on.

Plastic products can be found everywhere in our lives, which shows that their practicality and best-selling are very large.

Industry-Specific Applications

Medical Industry

Our medical device machining services produce biocompatible plastic components for surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and implantable devices. We maintain strict quality controls and can work with medical-grade plastics like PEEK, PPSU, and UHMW-PE.

Automotive Sector

Our automotive plastic components include sensor housings, interior trim pieces, and under-hood components that require precise tolerances and excellent chemical resistance.

Consumer Electronics

We produce high-precision plastic housings, insulating components, and interface elements for consumer electronic devices, maintaining tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes.

Aerospace Applications

For aerospace applications, we machine high-performance plastics like PEEK and PEI that offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and temperature resistance.

what industry is cnc machining useful for
design considerations for cnc plastic machining

Design Considerations for CNC Plastic Machining

To optimize your plastic parts for CNC machining:

  1. Wall Thickness: Maintain minimum wall thickness of 0.8mm for rigid plastics and 1.5mm for flexible materials
  2. Internal Corners: Design with minimum 0.5mm radius on internal corners to accommodate tool geometry
  3. Deep Pockets: Limit depth-to-width ratios to 4:1 where possible to maintain dimensional accuracy
  4. Tolerance Specification: Define critical dimensions with appropriate tolerances (±0.1mm is standard, ±0.05mm for precision features)
  5. Thread Design: Consider using inserts for threaded features in softer plastics

Our engineering team offers free design services to optimize your plastic parts for manufacturability and performance.

ZHXING Hardware Factory

FAQs About Steel

Check out some of the frequently asked questions and some facts about ZHXING Chinas top custom CNC machining parts manufacturer.

1. What is CNC machining?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) services, also known as CNC machining, are widely used in the manufacturing process across different industries.

An experienced operator usually uses a specialized machine tool to program a set of operations according to your part design.

The control system of the CNC machine allows the tool to perform the set operations and movements so that the final parts can meet your specific requirements.

The CNC machining cost depends on many factors and varies among different situations.

The material is a big factor. The machining difficulties can vary greatly depending on the materials you choose, which will affect the CNC machining cost.

The design complexity also makes a difference in the CNC machining cost.

It’s easy to understand that the more complex the design is, the more machining process is required and the higher the price will be.

Other factors such as market fluctuation and the order quantity can also affect the final quotation.

If you want to know the CNC machining cost for your project, send us a message and you will receive a quotation with manufacturing advice within 24 hours.

There is a wide range of CNC machining services. ZHXING covers the most popular types that can support most of your CNC machining designs and projects, including the following:

  • CNC Turning Services
  • CNC Milling Services
  • CNC Boring Services
  • CNC Drilling Services

Other precision CNC machining services are also available on demand. Contact us to discuss details and get an instant quote.

CNC machining center is basically an automated machine tool with a programmed control system.

Based on the position of the spindle, CNC machining centers can be divided into vertical, horizontal, gantry, and universal types.

Vertical CNC Machining Center:

The vertical CNC machining center usually adopts the column structure in fixed positions and a rectangular worktable.

There are usually three linear motion coordinates (X, Y, and Z axes) on the worktable although a fourth axis (A) can also be installed.

The vertical CNC machining center has a compact and simple structure with a lower price tag.

It’s easy to operate, observe the operations during the machining process, and debug the program if anything goes wrong.

This type of machining center is suitable for creating plates, sleeves, and plate parts.

However, the large parts with tall height can not be handled with a vertical CNC machining center due to the column’s height restrictions and its tool change mechanism.

Horizontal CNC Machining Center:

The horizontal CNC machining center adopts movable columns and the headstock between the two columns moves up and down along the guide rail during the manufacturing process.

There are usually three motion directions: Axis X moves between the left and right sides, axis Z moves between front and back, and axis Z moves between the up and down.

A fourth axis A can also be installed on the worktable just like the vertical CNC machining center.

The horizontal CNC machining center is often used for manufacturing spiral wires and cylindrical cams.

It’s not that easy to observe the debug program, test the pin cutting, monitor the manufacturing process, and clamp and measure parts.

However, it’s easy to discharge pins during the process.

Compared with the vertical CNC machining center, the horizontal types feature a more complicated structure that takes up larger space and leads to a higher price.

Gantry CNC Machining Center:

In most cases, the gantry CNC machining center features a vertical spindle, an ATC system and replaceable spindle head accessories.

The system is very functional and can be used for multiple purposes with a single machine.

This type of CNC machining center is suitable for parts of large sizes.

Universal CNC Machining Center:

The universal CNC machining center is a five-sided machining center. It features the functions of both the vertical and horizontal CNC machining center types.

When a workpiece is clamped, all sides, excluding the mounting surface, can be completed at one time.

There are basically two types of universal CNC machining centers:

1) The one that can work as a vertical or horizontal CNC machining center with the spindle being able to rotate 90°
2) The worktable rotates 90° with the workpiece and the spindle remains in the same direction

Choosing a reliable CNC machining manufacturer is crucial to get high-quality parts as desired.

There are several things you need to take into consideration when searching for the best CNC machining service provider:

1. Reputation

A good reputation means the CNC machining company is striving for customer satisfaction with quality products and after-sales service.

Always check out the comments from its previous customers to decide whether to work with the CNC machining service provider.

2. Product Quality

The quality of CNC machining parts is the top consideration for your purchase.

A reliable CNC machining manufacturer should listen to customers’ voices and produce the parts strictly according to the client’s requirements.

At ZHXING, you can even configure the models and the guide rails to meet your specific accuracy requirements.

3. After-Sales Service

Good after-sales service doesn’t mean the products are problematic. It shows that the CNC machining manufacturer is reliable, so you can always find support if anything goes wrong.

ZHXING Hardware has a very efficient and professional after-sales team that handles your issues in a timely manner.

Besides that, a follow-up is carried out after purchase and service to make sure you are satisfied with the CNC machining parts.

4. Qualitifications & Certifications

There are a lot of CNC machining manufacturers on the Internet and the information can be dazzling.

Be sure to check out their qualifications and certifications (preferably revealed by third parties) before you place the order.

If you are shopping online, pay attention to the store’s rate, customer reviews, and the age of the store, which greatly reflects whether the CNC machining supplier can be trusted or not.

Choosing a satisfying CNC machining service provider requires extensive research and comparison.

If it’s possible, you can make a field trip to select the best company for your project.

We offer fast and cost-effective CNC machining solutions.

Get high-quality parts for your CNC machining projects with fast turnaround times, following your design specifications.

Start today. Get parts made fast.

Free Machined Parts Design to Your Projects with Fast Turnaround Times.

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Please attach your 2D CAD drawings and 3D CAD models in any format including STEP, IGES, DWG, PDF, STL, etc. If you have multiple files, compress them into a ZIP or RAR. Alternatively, send your RFQ by email to sales@zhxingpst.com.

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