Plastics processing

Plastic processing is a process that aims to give appropriate shapes, mechanical, aesthetic and functional properties to plastic materials so that they can be used in various industrial applications. There are many processing techniques that depend on the type of plastic and the required parameters of the final product.

The most frequently used methods of processing plastics

Here are some of the most commonly used plastic processing methods:
1. Injection molding – A process of injecting molten plastic into a mold, where it solidifies to form the desired shape. This is one of the most frequently used methods in mass production, especially in the case of small and medium-sized elements.
2. Extrusion – The plastic is passed through a mold (matrix) under high pressure, which allows you to obtain elements with a specific cross-section, such as profiles, pipes or foils.
3. Stamping – A process in which plastic in the form of a plate or sheet is placed in a mold and then subjected to pressure to give the appropriate shape. It is used to produce large flat surfaces.
4. Machining – Various mechanical techniques that enable precise shaping of plastic details. They are mainly used for the production of prototypes or parts requiring high precision.
5. Welding of plastics – A process of joining plastic elements by melting their surfaces and welding them together. Depending on the technology, it may be hot welding, ultrasonic welding or laser welding.
6. Assembly – Connecting various parts made of plastic into a finished product. Specialized adhesives, welders or mechanical techniques such as riveting are used.
7. Giving texture – Using 3D printing technology to create details with complex shapes that could not be produced using traditional machining methods.
8. Heat treatment – Heating a plastic material to change its properties, e.g. heating, to obtain sufficient plasticity for further forming or shaping.
9. Coating and painting – In addition to mechanical processing, plastics are often subjected to aesthetic processes, such as painting, varnishing or anodizing, in order to improve their appearance or resistance to external factors.

Machining processes in this form are therefore used in many industries.

What does machining of plastics look like?

Plastic machining allows the processing of many types of plastics through numerous operations, including turning, milling, hobbing, and drilling. Each of these methods requires the use of appropriate tools, machines, measuring devices, and, above all, knowledge of technological processes for producing elements such as machine construction elements, etc. At our company, Karbo CNC, we perform machining of such elements. We approach each service individually, ensuring that the final product meets all customer requirements and is always consistent with the provided technical documentation. We also often provide our knowledge regarding future design or material changes, based on our extensive experience and acquired knowledge. A professional approach guarantees efficient, effective and economical processing of each project entrusted to us.

Specific activities

Most plastics available on the market can be processed by machining. The most frequently processed materials are Polyamide, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, as well as PEEK (polyetheretherketon), PTFE (Teflon). Their processing in our company is carried out on CNC numerically controlled machines, which ensure high precision, repeatability and quality of each obtained detail.
Due to our CAD/CAM software and 5-axis machines, we are able to process the most complex elements, which are always perfectly tailored to the requirements of our customers. We take care to carefully determine the appropriate machining process, measurement strategy, and appropriate machine configuration. Machining is largely automatic, which speeds up the entire process and increases its accuracy.

Optimum adjustment

CNC machines allow for very faithful reproduction of the required dimensions and forms, as well as optimal adaptation of the work process to the specificity of the processed material. This applies, for example, to their flexibility, hardness and temperature resistance. It is worth adding that machining of plastics requires a special approach, because these materials have different properties compared to metals. For example, plastics can overheat more easily, which can lead to deformation. Therefore, when cutting, it is important to properly select cutting tools, machining parameters (cutting speed, feed) and cooling (e.g. using water or cooling oils). After properly setting all these variables and configuring the instrumentation, the machines perform machining in accordance with the CNC program written by our technologist. Our specialists monitor and control the operation of machines and created elements, which eliminates the risk of irregularities, errors or lack of compliance with project guidelines.

What are the benefits of CNC plastics processing?

CNC plastics processing has many advantages that are crucial for the efficient implementation of production processes. In our company, we care about comprehensive service. We handle every stage of processing, which guarantees efficient work and compliance with all requirements. At Karbo CNC, you can also take advantage of other elements of our offer, such as professional welding services, 3D scanning or part measurement on CMM coordinate measuring machines. In machining processes, we use the best technological and measurement solutions and specialized tools. We undertake every challenge related to the use of CNC machines, including the most demanding, complex and difficult projects.

Perfect precision

The work carried out by our specialists allows for the effective processing of selected materials, which is always done with the highest precision. Due to the high repeatability of the operations performed, we can obtain elements with almost identical dimensions. CAD/CAM software also provides the ability to prepare many variants of the same plastic element, which only requires changing the algorithm settings. The services provided by our specialists are very economical. The use of numerically controlled machines significantly reduces work costs and at the same time speeds up production. High operational safety, ensured by limited contact with machines and minimized risk of accidents, is also important.

Comprehensive application

Through the use of plastics in many different industries,
CNC machining of these materials is used in various business segments. Our services are particularly appreciated on the pharmaceutical, automotive, pneumatic, electrical, energy and agricultural markets. At Karbo CNC, we have technologically advanced machinery. Access to the necessary devices and tools allows for simultaneous CNC machining in up to five axes. We provide great flexibility, thanks to which we successfully implement both larger and smaller production series. We also take care of the continuous development of the skills and qualifications of our experts. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our services and contact Karbo CNC.