Plastic machining refers to several different fabrication processes that alter and form plastic parts by using automated machinery instead of manual operation. It is used most commonly to form polymer resins into shapes - mainly sheets, rods and tubes - which are either finished products themselves or require further forming.
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The machinery that fabricates plastic parts are usually CAD/CAM or CNC (computer numeric control) operated, meaning computer software controls every operation and movement and can fabricate more detailed, complex products at a faster pace with a high degree of repeatability. Computer controlled machinery eliminates human error and can form large amounts of the same product in very large runs. These machined parts are useful in so many applications within the telecommunications, medical, technological, manufacturing, aerospace, construction, musical instrument processing, chemical, semiconductor, fluid handling, automotive, cosmetics, food and beverage processing, restaurant and electronics industries, among many others. They can be bent, drilled, molded, punched, turned, milled, welded together, lathed or cut to form flat, hollow or complex plastic products. Some are small components like washers, while others are large products like computer casings and automotive parts. All sizes may have simple or complex designs.
Plastic machined products are either custom-made for a specific environment or application, or pre-engineered to several different sizes. Since the applications are so broad, manufacturers that machine plastic usually specialize in a few different industry needs. Regardless of the application, all machined plastics must meet and follow ISO regulations, which help to ensure both the safety and quality of plastic products. Plastic is a very versatile material that, with different additives, can obtain a wide variety of qualities, including extreme temperature resistance, hardness, flexibility, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance and the ability to handle moisture, chemicals and oil, among others. Machined plastics used in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical industries must be FDA or USDA approved, meaning they must be composed of materials that will not have a negative effect on the sensitive materials with which they come into contact. There are many different types of thermoplastic resins that manufacturers machine into a product; these include acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Most of these are rigid and have a high degree of hardness, but some are very flexible or foam-like.
