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Considerations for Choosing the Right Plastic Material for CNC Machining
February 28, 2023
CNC machining is a cost-effective process that quickly and accurately creates plastic products. Using rotating tools or by rotating the workpiece, materials are removed to create your desired shape. CNC machining can create plastic parts that are simple in design or feature complex geometries and tight tolerances. Choosing the right plastic material is essential in your precision CNC process. Keep these considerations in mind as you navigate your options and find your best solution.
Machining Carbon-Filled Plastics
August 15, 2022
Carbon fiber reinforced plastics or polymers (CFRP) feature low density, high strength and stiffness, good toughness, and good resistance to creep, fatigue, wear, and corrosion. They have a low friction coefficient and can meet most dimensional tolerances, surface quality specifications, and other requirements. These characteristics make carbon-filled composites popular in many industries, but they are particularly suited to aerospace applications. Yet, for all these advantages, machining carbon fiber reinforced polymers can be expensive and challenging due to several factors.
Machining Glass-Filled Plastics
June 24, 2022
Glass and plastic composites are known for their resilient performances, extreme durability, and excellent impact resistance. They are high-strength, chemically resistant, and stable options used to manufacture various structural components, medical devices, and electrical housing parts. However, despite these many advantages, machining glass fiber reinforced polymers is extremely difficult and requires a high level of expertise to produce your desired results.
May 05, 2022
Many applications and industries require plastic parts and components machined from heat-resistant polymers. These plastic materials must stand up to harsh environments, extreme temperatures, and repeated use without degradation of performance. However, choosing the best high-temperature plastic for your planned use can sometimes be challenging.
Challenges of CNC Machining Honeycomb Panels
February 25, 2022
Honeycomb cores are a popular choice for applications throughout many industries, including aerospace, aeronautic, automotive, naval, and others. The layered hexagonal structure creates high strength and excellent stiffness to weight ratio. However, honeycomb core panels are notoriously difficult to machine due to the weak rigidity present in the in-plane direction of the cellular materials. Due to the challenges in machining honeycomb panels, many engineers choose materials and structures less suited to their planned use or waste time and resources inefficiently machining honeycomb core.
