Precision Plastic Machining Services
Plastic machining from ABS to PEEK, holding ±0.02 mm on stable grades like PEEK and Delrin. Prototypes in as fast as 3 days, with no tooling cost and no MOQ.
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±0.02 mm
Tightest Tolerance
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3 Days
Fastest Prototypes
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98.6%+
On-Time Delivery
Plastic CNC Machining for Prototypes and Production
DEK mills and turns engineering plastics on the same 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC equipment used for metal programs, from a single prototype to full production runs.
Plastic CNC machining removes material without tooling cost or tooling lead time, so you get functional parts fast with no minimum order quantity. Browse the plastic material guide or see real machined plastic parts built across our industries.
Why Manufacturers Trust DEK
Plastic programs run on the same certified line used for metal and aerospace work, backed by two decades of precision-machining experience.
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Global OEM Client Base
More than 2,300 global OEMs rely on DEK for machined parts, with plastic and metal programs managed by the same engineering team.
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Proven Production Output
Output exceeds 1.2 million machined parts per year, and the same equipment supports repeat runs once a plastic design is proven.
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Reliable On-Time Delivery
An on-time delivery rate above 98.6% keeps prototype and production schedules predictable, with prototypes in as fast as 3 days.
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Certified, Traceable Quality
ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and AS9100D apply to plastic and metal work alike, with full traceability from incoming inspection to final checks.
Machinability Review Before Pricing
Submit 2D/3D drawings and our engineering team checks machinability before pricing. Fixturing is adjusted for each plastic's stiffness and thermal behavior, so quotes reflect how the grade really cuts.
Plastic Machining Capabilities
From milled housings to Swiss-turned components, our plastic processes cover prototypes and production on certified CNC equipment.
Plastic Machining vs. Metal Machining and 3D Printing
Choose plastic machining for functional plastic parts with no tooling cost; pick metal machining for mating shells and shafts, or 3D printing plastics when tooling-free geometry matters most.
| Criteria | This ProcessPlastic CNC Machining | Metal CNC Machining | Plastic 3D Printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Housings, gears, seals | Shells, shafts, fasteners | Tooling-free geometry |
| Tolerance | ±0.05 mm, ±0.02 mm stable | Tighter than plastic | Compare per job |
| Equipment | 3, 4 and 5-axis CNC | Same 3, 4 and 5-axis CNC | No cutting tool |
| Priority | Material strength | Metal strength | Geometry over strength |
| Choose when | Fast functional parts | Metal part in assembly | Fixtures, form studies |
Plastic Parts for Every Industry
From medical instrument handles to semiconductor PEEK and PTFE components, robotics gears and automotive connector housings, we machine plastics to spec.
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Aerospace
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Medical
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Automotive
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Robotics
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Semiconductor
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Electronic
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Telecom
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Drone & UAV
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Energy
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Oil & Gas
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Marine
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Industrial Equipment
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Construction
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Agriculture
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Consumer Products
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Military & Defense
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Mining
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AerospaceNon-flight-critical brackets, cabin hardware and fittings under AS9100D, in 7075 aluminum, Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718, with FAI.Learn More -
MedicalInstrument shafts, handles and cannulas in 316L stainless, titanium and PEEK under ISO 13485, with lot traceability as standard.Learn More -
AutomotivePrototype and low-to-mid-volume sensor housings, valve bodies and shafts in aluminum, 4140 and 4340 alloy steel, stainless and brass.Learn More -
RoboticsJoint housings, harmonic drive flanges and gripper fingers in aluminum and hardened steel, with 5-axis milling in one setup.Learn More -
SemiconductorChamber components, wafer handling fixtures and vacuum flanges in 6061 aluminum, 316L, PEEK and Kovar, with burr-free edges.Learn More -
ElectronicConnector bodies, heat sinks, RF shields and precision pins in aluminum, brass and copper, held to ±0.01 mm on contact features.Learn More -
TelecomWaveguide components, filter housings and RF enclosures in aluminum and copper alloys, with silver or nickel plating for conductivity.Learn More -
Drone & UAVMotor mounts, gimbal frames and landing gear fittings in 7075 aluminum, titanium and magnesium to cut weight without losing stiffness.Learn More -
EnergyBattery end plates, busbars, inverter housings and fuel-cell fittings in aluminum, copper and stainless, machined flat and burr-free.Learn More -
Oil & GasValve components, manifold blocks, downhole tool parts and flanges in 4140, 17-4 PH, duplex 2205 and Inconel, with hardness specs.Learn More -
MarinePropeller shafts, pump parts and deck hardware in 316 stainless, bronze and aluminum bronze, chosen first for corrosion resistance.Learn More -
Industrial EquipmentGripper plates, linear guide mounts, cam followers and machine frames in aluminum and steel, with fixtures kept on file for repeats.Learn More -
ConstructionStructural brackets, anchoring hardware and hydraulic fittings in mild steel, alloy steel and aluminum, zinc plated or powder coated.Learn More -
AgricultureGearbox housings, shafts, sprayer nozzle bodies and sensor mounts in cast iron, steel and stainless for abrasion and moisture.Learn More -
Consumer ProductsKnobs, handles, enclosure parts and audio hardware where the machined surface shows, anodized, bead blasted or polished to sample.Learn More -
Military & DefenseOptical mounts, enclosures and accessory rails in aluminum, steel and titanium, with material certification and FAI reports.Learn More -
MiningWear plates, bushings, crusher components and hydraulic fittings in hardened alloy steel, bronze and stainless for dust and vibration.Learn More
Typical Plastic Parts and Challenges
Plastic machining suits housings, gears, seals and clear covers, while each grade's thermal behavior shapes how we fixture and cut it.
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Enclosures and Housings
Lightweight, impact-resistant electronic enclosures in ABS, often paired with a machined metal shell.
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Gears and Wear Parts
Gears and wear components favor the stiffness of nylon; Delrin suits bushings and low-friction parts.
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Clear Covers and Windows
Sight windows and protective covers in polycarbonate where clarity and impact strength matter.
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High-Heat, High-Load Parts
Surgical instruments and bearings move up to PEEK for strength and heat resistance.
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Chemical-Resistant Reservoirs
Reservoirs and covers exposed to chemicals are best machined from polypropylene.
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Moisture-Exposed Fixtures
Fixtures and guides exposed to moisture run well in PET, also used for precision guides.
Plastic Challenges We Handle
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Thermal Movement
PTFE and PE move under cutting heat and clamping pressure, so we plan looser tolerances and adjust fixturing for each grade.
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Thin-Wall Warp
Thin walls in PTFE or PE carry warp risk; an anneal before final finishing passes reduces it, at modest added cost.
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Slow-Cutting Grades
PEEK and PEI deliver the highest strength and heat resistance, with slower cutting speeds and higher material cost as the trade-off.
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Plastic-Metal Assemblies
Plastic housings often mate with carbon steel turned parts for shafts and fasteners.
Certified Quality for Every Plastic Part
One QMS built for aerospace and medical work, with CMM inspection on every plastic job.
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AS9100DAerospace Quality Management System
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ISO 9001:2015Quality Management Standard
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ISO 13485Medical Devices Quality Management
Engineering Plastics and Finishes
Each grade behaves differently under a cutting tool. Match the plastic and finish to your load, heat, chemical and clarity needs.
Surface Finishes
Engineering Plastics
Need PE, PP, PET or another grade? Ask our engineers.
View AllFrom Prototype to Production
Plastic Machining FAQs
Quick answers on machinable plastics, tolerances and material strength.
Start Your Plastic CNC Machining Project
Send your 2D/3D drawings for an engineer-reviewed quote; we check machinability before pricing, from one prototype to production.
- No MOQ, single prototypes welcome
- Prototypes in as fast as 3 days
- Tolerances to ±0.02 mm on stable grades
- QMS built for aerospace and medical work
- CMM inspection on every plastic part
Ready to Scale Your Project?
Get started with a stable process and controlled quality. Let's discuss your project.
