Premium tensile strength, light-weight custom CNC milling plastic parts
Choose the industry-wide preferred material to craft spare parts for your machines with DEK custom CNC milling plastic spare parts are crafted to your exact specifications. All our CNC milling plastic spare parts are also highly durable, light-weight, and have a high tensile strength to ensure that your machines function optimally at all times.
Save manufacturing costs with carefully molded custom-built CNC milling plastic spare parts
Save manufacturing costs in the long run by choosing high-performance, non-corrosive plastic resins to build your machine’s spare parts. DEK CNC milling custom plastic spare parts don’t need secondary sprays or coating, which extends the lifespan of your spare parts and machine.
Make a cost-effective choice by choosing DEK custom plastic parts that allow for reduced part count and inventory through redesign now or in the future.
Enjoy ultimate flexibility while manufacturing custom CNC milling plastic spare parts
From simple plastic spare parts design to more complex ones, enjoy design freedom by molding the most integral spare parts your machines need to function optimally. DEK custom CNC milling plastic spare parts are built to your machine and industry’s specific needs.
Reduce your footprint, improve sustainability, and save costs by utilizing plastic milling spare parts that can be melted down, recycled, and reused for other spare parts.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is an inexpensive thermoplastic polymer material used in injection molding. DEK’s engineers understand how to engineer and mold the ABS material to create unique molds and machine spare parts.
Commonly used in prototype creation, ABS has superior durability, impact resistance, exceptional dimensional stability, and scratch resistance, among other mechanical properties.
Polycarbonate plastics are naturally transparent, making them an ideal material for plastic machining. It is useful in making spare parts where impact resistance is required.
Polycarbonate plastics are commonly used to produce automotive spare parts and components, protective gears, medical devices, and light fixtures. It has liquefying properties which make it easy for injection molding.
Polypropylene plastic is also a tough and rigid thermoplastic made from Propene. It is widely used in everyday products like packaging trays, medical devices, automotive parts, battery cases, and many more.
PP is light-weight when compared to its twin, Polyethylene. It is also has a high resistance to cracking, acids, organic solvents, and electrolytes.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, is a family of Fluoropolymers whose plastic resins are based on fluoride or carbon bonding. It is the only fluoropolymer that doesn’t melt and has a sliding and non-stick surface.
PTFE is chemical and temperature resistant, flame resistant, has low surface tension, and is highly coefficient of thermal expansion.
Acrylic is one of the most popular plastics. It is a strong, shatter-proof, light-weight thermoplastic with high machinability and good thermal properties. Acrylics are chemical and abrasive resistant, have dimensional stability and flexural strength.
Acrylic has excellent optical clarity and light transmission properties, which make it a perfect glass substitute.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used polymers in the world due to its versatile nature. Its high durability and long lifespan have made it suitable for building, transport, packaging, electrical, and healthcare applications.
PVC is durable, lightweight, and flexible. It is also low cost, has desirable physical and mechanical properties, and is inherently flame resistant.
Polyoxymethylene is a blend of plastics that liquefy at its melting point, making it suitable for injection molding. Polyoxymethylene is used in manufacturing mechanical gears, ski bindings, insulin pens, and structural glass. It is also ideal for use when hardness and durability are crucial.
Polyoxymethylene is rigid, heat and flame resistant, wear-resistant, dimensionally stable, and chemical resistant.
Nylon is provided in two variants to suit thin-walled components to large thick-walled bearings. Because of its dual purpose, it is also an excellent substitute for metal replacements.
Nylon also has higher temperature resistance, higher strength, higher stiffness, lower moisture absorption, better abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for plastic machining.
Polyethylene is one of the most popular thermoplastics available today. Its uses range from plastic containers to toys and bottles. Its light-weight and durability make it suitable for use in packaging, automotive, and even electrical parts.
Polyethylene is chemical resistant, low temperature resistant, has excellent insulating properties, and has a higher tensile strength.
Working with market leaders in the On-demand manufacturing industry, without the busyness and risk.
Automated process
DEK uses an unparalleled automated process to get your specifications just right. With specialized parts manufacturing equipment, we work efficiently and effectively at all times.
Experienced staff
Our team of engineers is experienced specialists machining plastics. We provide our expert advice to ensure that industry experts handle your custom spare part projects.
High-quality
We use many plastic materials for your custom manufacturing projects. Our custom plastic parts are durable, corrosion-free, and are available for long-lasting use.
Wide range of materials
DEK provides a wide range of plastic materials for your custom plastic machining, including PP, ABS, PC, and many more, to ensure that you can select the best plastic products.
24/7 customer service
Our customer service representatives are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Our manufacturing experts can also provide any specialized advice you need.
Satisfaction guaranteed
Your satisfaction is our priority. We carry out all our custom manufacturing activities to ensure the utmost satisfaction for our clients and the machine parts we manufacture.
Quality is our top priority
“QUALITY COMES NOT FROM INSPECTION, BUT FROM IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS.”
To DEK, Dr. Deming’s textbook remark is not a theory, but a practice we have been conducting every single day. We work on the principle that quality comes during the process of manufacturing, not after the fact.
We use advanced production technologies and strict control systems to ensure high quality. More importantly, the quality-oriented attitude has been so entrenched in the mind of every single employee.
Through the online form or send an email to austin@dekmake.com directly, and please describe your requirements in detail and attach 2D/3D drawings, then you will get our reply within 6 hours.
Yes! Other suppliers are afraid of precision parts, but we like precision parts very much. This is because we have rich experience in the production of precision mold components, the tolerance we did can reach ±0.001mm, which is impossible for 99.9% of prototype manufacturers.
Definitely! Our predecessor is precision machining shop, and 100% inspection of each part is our daily basic work. We will check the size, tolerance, color, and other details before leaving the factory. If you need an inspection report, we will send it with goods together.
“
It's our honor to be their best partner
“DEK helped me save so much money on manufacturing my CNC milling plastic spare parts. I now have plastic wares and spare parts that fit my every need. I also feel comfortable about recycling and reusing these materials.”
Karim Phillips
“DEK’s customer service helped me make instant decisions. Their engineers also helped me with narrowing the best CNC milling plastic material for my project. They contacted me after the delivery to ensure that everything worked well. Very grateful.”
Tom Bennet
Are you looking for more information or want to get an accurate quotation?
If you need a professional business partner to provide you high quality, cost-effective, timely, and risk-free manufacturing services, we are the first step towards success.
A comprehensive guide covering custom CNC plastics milling FAQs.
This FAQ guide answers every question you need to know about DEK’s custom CNC plastics milling services, including the different types of plastics available for use, what differentiates one type of material from the other, and any other insights into CNC plastics milling.
With this FAQ guide, valuable answers that will help you understand CNC plastics milling will be given to help you make essential manufacturing decisions. Any other questions and queries not covered can be forwarded to our customer service representative or specialist engineers.
Table of Contents
Can plastic be milled?
Yes. Plastics and their related materials can be milled. Depending on their rigidity, some plastics are more suitable than others for milling. Strong or rigid plastics hold still when machined, making them a more suitable choice for CNC milling.
Softer, flexible plastics are more challenging to work with because they don’t hold as easily as rigid plastics.
What plastic materials can CNC milling be used?
When you choose to manufacture your custom spare parts with plastics, you are choosing a more cost-effective and recyclable alternative without all the challenges of metal machining and milling.
CNC milling on plastics is completely reliant on the types of plastics used. Because it is easier to mill rigid plastics, some plastic materials are more suitable for CNC milling than others. These are;
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic has excellent impact resistance and is easy to machine.
Acrylic
Acrylic is strong, stiff and available in a wide range of colors.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is strong, stiff, and easy to machine, fabricate, and weld. It is also a great low-cost plastic alternative.
Nylon
Nylon is a strong, stiff plastic capable of being engineered and suitable for bearings and bushings.
PET
PET is a strong plastic with high chemical and wear resistance.
PP
Polypropylene (PP) is lightweight, tough, and resistant to chemicals, electrolytes, and organic solvents.
PPS
PPS has high levels of corrosion and temperature resistance.
PTFE
Teflon is a low friction plastic with high temperature and chemical resistance.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a strong plastic with high impact resistance.
What sort of basic things should I know before buying CNC milling machines for plastic injection?
The most important thing to note is that there are no special machines for plastic milling. The machines used for metal milling are also what is used for plastic milling and machining. This is why strong, rigid plastics are preferred for plastic milling.
In the case of injection molding, it works by first melting thermoplastics in a large barrel before the molten thermoplastics are injected into molds. Once the plastic is set, the molds are ejected, and the process continues,
Before buying a CNC milling machine for plastic injection, understand that you need molding machines and not milling machines.
Their driving systems classify the machines you need for injection molding. They include;
Hydraulic
Mechanical
Electric
What industries use CNC milling of plastic materials?
The need for precision parts transcends industries. Many high-performing companies and industries need a continuous flow of spare parts to ensure that their businesses run smoothly.
These industries include;
Medical industry:
Aerospace
Transportation
Oil and Gas
Military and defense
Electronics
Marine
Manufacturing
Why Choose CNC Milling Plastic Over Other Methods?
Though CNC milling plastics provide a wealth of benefits compared to other milling methods such as metal milling, CNC plastic milling has not seen as much rise in milling as its other metal milling methods.
CNC milling plastics is a better choice over other methods because;
They have a high resistance property to rust and impact.
They are also resistant to many chemical components
There are stronger plastic alternatives that make substituting it for metal parts possible.
Choose CNC milling plastics over other methods because there is a wide range of plastics available to make your choice for custom spare parts.
What are the advantages of CNC milling for plastic?
With the amount of machine usage in companies and industries, machine parts are subject to damage through wear and tear. Because of this, it is essential to find excellent spare parts that will help your machine run perfectly.
CNC milling plastics provide the right balance between cost and functionality and are perfect for machinery because;
Easy to reuse and recycle
CNC plastic is a more sustainable spare part alternative due to its ease of use and recycling possibilities. During manufacturing, it is possible to recycle and reuse swarf and old plastic spare part materials.
A trial design is possible
With CNC milling for plastics, it is possible to request a trial design before making a complete order.
Saves time and costs
CNC plastic parts are a cost-effective alternative to spare parts manufacturing. With numerous cheaper plastic alternatives, you can save time and cost on manufacturing your custom spare parts.
Easy to clean and manage
Many industries such as medicine, food, pharmaceuticals, and transportation favor plastic parts due to their ease of use and cleanliness.
Easy to manufacture with shorter times
Unlike metal fabrication and machining, it is easier to machine plastics in a shorter time frame.
What are the applications of CNC milling for plastic?
CNC plastic milling can be applied in different sectors and for different uses.
These industries include;
Medical industry:
Aerospace
Transportation
Oil and Gas
Military and defense
Electronics
Marine
Manufacturing
CNC plastics such as POM, ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, and Teflon, can be used in fuel rails, fuel supply units, control valves, cars lock, seatbelt adjusters, HVAC control panel knobs, automotive clips, and more parts in the automobile industry; pipe couplings, shower head, water filters, pumps for industrial uses; fuel tank, caps, and hoses in consumer goods; electronic enclosures, bushings, bearings, and gears.
They can also be used in building materials, pipes & fittings, vacuum construction, keyboard keys, body panels, protective eyewear, electronic housing, toys, consumer products, parts of nebulizers, baby drinking bottles, catheter coatings, compressors, bulletproof glass, music instruments, mobile phone panels, sports equipment, food processors, control panels, headlamp lenses, refrigerator components, and lots more.
What are the best ways and practices to clean acrylic or plastic parts after precision CNC milling?
Follow the following steps to clean acrylic or plastic parts after precision CNC milling;
Use a coolant to cool the newly molded plastic parts.
Dip the spare parts in mineral spirits. This will help seal the edges and prevent them from sticking.
You can also blow the spiral chips away using a compressed air feed attached to a spindle.
Are large quantities suitable for CNC milling plastic?
CNC plastic milling is one of the most preferred spare parts choices for manufacturing due to its ease of use, and as such, large quantities are also suitable for plastic milling.
Whether for direct plastic milling where plastics are cut and machined or injection molding where molten plastics are poured into a mold and extracted, it is possible to machine plastics in large quantities.
Are small batches suitable for CNC milling plastic?
Due to its cost-effective properties for machining and molding, it is also possible to manufacture small batches of plastic spare parts for your use.
It is important to note that once the initial prototype is machined, all other plastic spare parts become easy to manufacture. This is also true for injection molding, where the successful creation of the initial mold makes subsequent molding suitable, even in smaller quantities.
What is the difference between CNC milling plastic and plastic injection molding?
Injection molding works by injecting molten thermoplastics into molds. Once the mold is completed, the mold opens, and the part is ejected. While CNC milling plastics works by cutting layers of the plastic material using a computer numerical control machine (CNC Machine).
The significant difference between these two plastic manufacturing processes is the state at which each plastic material is used to create its designated spare parts. For injection molding, plastics are heated until ‘liquid’ before being used, and for CNC milling, solid, rigid plastics are used because they are easy to cut.
Why choose CNC milling plastic supplier in China?
China has been importing waste plastics and other materials since the early 1980s to build a recycling industry, and because of this, China became an inexpensive outlet for recyclable waste from U.S. and European cities.
When you choose a CNC milling plastic supplier from China, you get a wealth of recyclable plastic materials available for plastic manufacturing and machining at a low cost.
China also has all the machines used for CNC machining and injection molding, making the country the preferred choice for CNC milling plastic suppliers.
When compared with other suppliers, what is the advantage of CNC milling plastic in DEK?
DEK has years of experience machining plastics. We also have over 2300 engineers and specialists worldwide dedicating their experience and skills to machining high-quality custom spare parts services.
Aside from plastics, DEK also works with other materials such as aluminum, alloy steel, tool steel, brass, invar, copper, mild steel, titanium, Inconel, and other metals.
We keep abreast of advancing technologies and methods in the industry and are continuously educating ourselves on ways to provide outstanding services to our clients while setting ourselves apart in the industry.
How do I choose the CNC milling plastic supplier in China?
Choosing the best CNC milling plastic supplier in China should be determined by the years of experience and expertise the supplier has, how many materials they can work with, the extensive type of advice they provide for your custom projects, the manufacturing process, and technology used, and their ability and willingness to answer any inquiries you have at any time.
DEK provides an exceptional service that covers every aspect of CNC milling plastics supplies service in a way that leaves you feeling confident in our skills, the quality of products provided, and our willingness to serve you.
Does DEK offer CNC milling plastic service?
Yes, we do. DEK offers CNC plastic milling service to help save time and costs and extend your machine’s lifespan by providing extensive custom plastic parts service for various industries worldwide.
We partner with the best to provide high-quality plastic parts that stand the test of time. Our expert engineers work with specialized materials and machinery to carefully produce excellent plastic spare parts designed and manufactured to your specifications.
Get a quick quote
We always insist on high quality and cost-effective products, contact us today to get an accurate quotation.