CNC plastic machining
We provide more than 20 type of plastic material,Depending on the material properties, the minimum accuracy can be as low as 0.005mm. Contact us for more details and a quote.
What is cnc plastic machining ?
CNC machine tools control cutting tools to perform operations such as cutting, drilling, milling, and turning on plastic workpieces according to pre-programmed instructions, in order to manufacture plastic parts or products that meet specific design requirements. They are widely used in many industries such as electronics, automobiles, medical, and toys.
Common material type of plastic for cnc machining
ABS
Combining the rigidity of acrylonitrile, the toughness of butadiene, and the processability of styrene, it offers excellent impact resistance (maintaining toughness even at low temperatures) with a balanced hardness and rigidity. Suitable for precision components subjected to moderate loads, it is ideal for manufacturing precision parts such as electronic and electrical enclosures, automotive ducting, interior trim components, and exterior trim components.
Color : Beige,black.
Types : General-purpose, flame-retardant, heat-resistant, high-impact-resistant, transparent (MBS), filled modified, alloyed, functionalized ABS.
Surface finish :Spray coating, electroplating, screen printing, laser engraving, hot stamping, vacuum coating, water transfer printing, sandblasting, anti-fingerprint coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PVC
Rigid PVC: Density approximately 1.35 g/cm³, high mechanical strength, tensile strength up to 34.5–49 MPa, elongation 20–40%, strong resistance to acids, alkalis, and oils, aging resistant, suitable for chemical and corrosive environments.
Color : White,Beige,black.
Types : Rigid PVC and Flexible PVC.
Surface finish : Painting and plating, polishing, sanding
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
POM
High tensile strength and low friction coefficient, excellent dimensional stability, easy machinability, can replace metal as raw material for wear-resistant components such as gears and bearings, widely used in automotive industry, industrial machinery,medical tools, etc.
Color : white,black,blue,yellow,etc.
Types : POM-H, POM-C.
Surface finish : Polishing, sandblasting, chemical polishing, laser polishing, anodizing/painting.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PMMA
With a light transmittance as high as 92%, it is hailed as “plastic crystal,” serving as material for optical components such as lenses and light guides. Its optical uniformity surpasses that of ordinary glass, while weighing only half as much. It offers easy machinability, moderate thermal stability, low shrinkage, and impact resistance. Primarily used in consumer electronics industries for display protective covers, lenses, and mobile phone frames.
Color : clear,white,black,colored.
Types : General-purpose / Impact-resistant / Heat-resistant / Pearlescent.
Surface finish : Polishing, enhanced coating, sandblasting for texture, printing for coloring, anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint treatments.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PC
High-performance thermoplastic with high toughness (low-temp resilient) and rigidity, ideal for CNC precision machining (cutting, drilling). Lighter than acrylic, it offers strong creep resistance and high-frequency insulation, suited for stress-resistant, insulated components. Eco-friendly via recycling by melting, used in electronics casings, spectrometer mounts, heat sinks.
Color : white or black.
Types : General Machinable/Flame Retardant/Reinforced/Blended PC.
Surface finish : Polishing, Hardening, Spraying, Laser Engraving, Electroplating, Hot Stamping.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PA
PA (Polyamide, Nylon) exhibits tensile strength ranging from 62 to 85 MPa, low friction coefficient, and excellent heat resistance. Primarily used in high-load structural components such as gears and bearings, it facilitates the manufacturing of automotive parts, consumer electronics, and industrial machinery components.
Color : Colored.
Types : PA6, PA66, PA6T, PA9T.
Surface finish :Mechanical grinding, acid/alkali etching, hydrolysis technology, coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PE
PE (Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic material with a low melting point. During machining, tool temperature must be controlled to prevent adhesion, resulting in a smooth, burr-free surface. Its low friction and self-lubricating properties make it suitable for sliding/rotating components. It resists most acids, alkalis, salts, and organic solvents but is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons. Common applications include food containers, trash bins, and toys.
Color : black,white,colored.
Types : LDPE, HDPE, UHMWPE, PEX, PEX-A, PEX-B.
Surface finish :Polishing, sandblasting, coating, etching.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PEEK
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a semi-crystalline specialty engineering plastic characterized by high strength, high melting point, and low friction coefficient. It offers excellent chemical resistance and is suitable for aerospace structural components, high-temperature parts, and medical devices such as endoscopes and handles.
Color : Beige,black.
Types : CF-PEEK, GF-PEEK, PEEK with carbon black/ceramic/PTFE/graphite fillers.
Surface finish :Sandblasting, polishing, metal coating, polymer coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
PP
PP (Polypropylene) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with a melting point of approximately 130-160°C. It exhibits excellent processing flow properties. During CNC machining, temperature control is essential (recommended range: 200-230°C). It is suitable for repeated bending operations. Tool selection must align with the material’s characteristics. Primarily used for containers, connectors, and structural components.
Color : black,white,colored.
Types : PP-H, PP-B, PP-R, HIPP.
Surface finish :Polishing, Sandblasting, Coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
HDPE
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is a linear thermoplastic with excellent impact resistance and dimensional stability.Non-toxic and odorless, it is suitable for manufacturing valves, pump bodies, gears, sliding bearings, and as core material for surfboards.
Color : black,white.
Types : HI-HDPE, UV-HDPE, UHMWPE, Carbon Black-Filled HDPE.
Surface finish :Polishing, Sandblasting, Coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
HIPS
HIPS is a non-crystalline thermoplastic containing 5-15% rubber content, offering both high impact resistance and ease of processing. It features moderate surface hardness, low moisture absorption (0.05-0.7%), low cost, and suitability for complex structures. Widely used in appliance housings, food packaging, automotive interiors, and industrial piping, it replaces metal to meet lightweight and impact-resistant requirements.
Color : black.
Types : Impact-resistant HIPS, Brominated flame-retardant HIPS, Glass-fiber reinforced HIPS.
Surface finish :Polishing ，Sandblasting ，Coating.
Delivery time : 1-5 days.
Surface finish for cnc plastic machining part
Based on over 15 years of CNC machining experience, we have compiled the following list of surface finish processes used for various precision-machined parts made from plastic material.
Machined finish
The prototype processed by the machine tool retains traces of tool machining.
Anodizing
Anodizing enhances the corrosion and wear resistance of metals and enables coloring and coating, suitable for metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium.
Polish
Polishing enhances surface finish and aesthetic appeal, suitable for materials such as metals, ceramics, plastics, and PMMA.
Sand blasting
Sandblasting involves propelling abrasive material at high pressure or mechanically onto a workpiece to achieve a clean, roughened, and matte finish.
Brushed finish
Brushed finish creates a textured pattern on metal surfaces, enhancing aesthetic appeal. Suitable for aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and other materials.
Powder coating
Powder coating is applied to the workpiece surface via electrostatic adhesion, then cured at high temperatures to form a dense coating, enhancing the corrosion resistance of metal and plastic surfaces.
Electroplating finish
Metal plating is deposited onto material surfaces through electrolytic processes to enhance corrosion resistance and wear resistance. This technique is suitable for metals and certain plastics.
Black oxidize
A black oxide coating is formed on metal surfaces through chemical oxidation, offering low cost, a simple process, and reduced light reflection.
Electropolish
Removes microscopic protrusions from metal surfaces through electrochemical anodic dissolution, creating a smooth, dense surface free of residual stress and highly corrosion-resistant. Capable of processing complex metals and conductive materials.
Alodine
Forms a protective coating on surfaces through chemical conversion, enhancing corrosion resistance and adhesion. Environmentally friendly with excellent conductivity, suitable for aluminum and magnesium alloys.
Heat treatment
By altering the internal microstructure of metallic materials through heating, this process enhances hardness, strength, toughness, and wear resistance. It is suitable for metals such as steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, and titanium alloys.
Advantage of cnc plastic machining
High Precision and Stability: Computer-controlled precision of tool movement and machining parameters enables high machining accuracy, with dimensional precision reaching ±0.025 – 0.125mm. Machining quality is stable and repeatable.
Mold-Free: For prototype making or small-batch production, CNC machining eliminates the need for expensive molds. Designers only need a pre-designed CAD file to begin production, significantly shortening product development cycles and reducing costs.
Flexible Design: CNC machining can begin directly from plastic sheets or rods, allowing for easy design modifications during production without the need for new tooling. This minimizes additional costs when upgrading parts.
Fast Turnaround: Computer-controlled CNC machine tools can operate 24/7, ensuring optimal efficiency, quality, and process control throughout the production process, thus shortening production cycles.
Processing for cnc plastic machining
In CNC plastic machining, commonly used machine tool types include 3 axis,4 axis, and 5 axis CNC machine tools, as well as conventional lathes, milling machines, and grinding machines, each with its unique function:
3 axis CNC machining:
Function: Controls tool movement through three linear motion axes (X, Y, and Z axes), suitable for machining planar and simple three-dimensional shapes.
Features: Simple operation and low cost, but requires multiple clamping operations when machining complex parts, resulting in lower efficiency.
Applications: Suitable for machining disc-shaped parts, simple mold cavities, etc.
4 axis CNC machining:
Function: Adds a rotary axis (such as the A-axis or B-axis) to the three-axis setup, allowing the tool to cut the workpiece from multiple angles.
Features: Capable of machining complex curved surfaces and irregularly shaped parts, reducing the number of clamping operations and improving machining efficiency.
Applications: Widely used in aerospace, automotive, and medical device fields, such as machining turbine components and body parts.
5 axis CNC machining:
Function: Equipped with three linear motion axes and two rotary axes, enabling the tool to cut at any angle in space.
Features: High machining accuracy, capable of handling extremely complex parts, reducing reliance on tools and fixtures.
Applications: Suitable for machining high-precision products such as artificial limbs, aerospace precision parts, and titanium components.
CNC Lathe (Plain Lathe):
Function: Cuts by rotating the workpiece and using a linear motion of the cutting tool; mainly used for machining rotating parts.
Features: Flexible operation, but lower accuracy and efficiency than CNC lathes.
Applications: Suitable for single-piece or small-batch production, such as machining shafts and discs.
CNC Milling (Plain Milling ):
Function: Cuts the workpiece using a rotating milling cutter; suitable for machining planes, grooves, etc.
Features: Low cost, but low efficiency when machining complex shapes.
Applications: Suitable for machining simple parts, such as rough machining of mold cavities.
CNC Grinding :
Function: Performs micro-cutting on the workpiece surface using a grinding wheel, improving dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
Features: High machining accuracy, up to ±0.001mm, but higher cost and longer processing time.
Applications: Used for machining critical holes in precision injection molds and progressive dies, as well as parts requiring IT7 or higher precision.
Application of cnc plastic machining :
Industrial Design : In industrial design, CNC-machined plastic prototypes are used to validate the appearance, structure, and function of designs, ensuring products are thoroughly tested before being released to the market.
Automotive parts : In the automotive industry, CNC machining of plastics is used to manufacture automotive parts, such as lighting rapid prototyping kits, lens covers, and light guides.
Medical Devices : The medical device industry relies on CNC machining to manufacture various plastic parts, such as surgical instruments and components for electronic medical devices.
Consumer Electronics : Consumer products such as home appliances and toys also frequently use CNC-machined plastic parts, such as the plastic housings for semiconductor electronic devices.
FAQ of cnc plastic machining
Preparation before CNC plastic machining?
Accurately identify the type of plastic material, confirming it through labels, etc. Convert the CAD model to G/M code using CAM software, and virtually simulate and check toolpaths and collision interference.
CNC plastic machining tool selection?
Select tools based on material properties and machining requirements, such as carbide, ceramic, and diamond tools. Tool precision, sharpness, and wear resistance affect surface quality.
CNC plastic machining post-processing?
Deburring, grinding, and polishing after machining improve surface quality and dimensional accuracy.
How to avoid part deformation during CNC plastic machining?
Stress relief annealing before machining; using sharp tools to control heat; reducing clamping force and using flexible fixtures; controlling material storage and pretreatment; employing a symmetrical machining strategy.
Advantages of CNC plastic machining versus injection molding?
CNC supports a wider range of materials, allows for large part sizes, high strength, good toughness, and low cost. It requires no molds, making it suitable for small-batch and rapid prototyping. Injection molding is suitable for large-volume production and can machine soft materials.
