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The Benefits Of CNC Plastic Machining

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By jbc-admin

If you are a product manufacturer you may want to consider CNC plastic machining, which whittles plastics down to a smaller shape. Though it may not be as cost effective up front, there are many benefits to consider as well.

Cost

Even though whittling plastics can be more expensive than injection molding, it can sometimes be less costly to machine those parts instead of molding them. The reason for this is the molds can cost up to $200,000 and even more in some cases. That initial cost is quite a lot for one company to handle. While the molding process is less expensive, you will still need to pay for the molds, so if you only require a few parts, or even a moderately sized production run, machined parts could be a more cost-effective alternative in the long run.

Prototypes

Many times, businesses require a prototype for a new part they are hoping to use or have created. CNC plastic machining provides a faster turnaround of prototypes and can make it more affordable.

Quality Control

When searching for a company to help with machined parts, you may want to consider those that have their own machines because they will have more control over the production and quality. Some companies claim to provide the service and then subcontract it out to other companies. It is always better when it can be done in-house, which can mean fewer costs to you, less paperwork, higher quality and attention to detail.

Finishes

Many times, the parts you create require a smooth finish so they work well with the other parts. Machined parts can produce a smoother finish than other options, such as injection molds, so there are no rough surfaces. If you’ve already used an injection mold and have a rough part, you can also have it machined to remove the gates and smooth it out. In many cases, CNC plastic machining can also hold tighter tolerances than injection molding.

How To Decide

Machined parts aren’t the same as tooled parts, and many factors should be considered before making a decision. However, in most cases, the tooling cost will be more and can increase the price-per-part ratio, whereas CNC plastic machining can sometimes eliminate that cost so the parts are more affordable, and you can lower costs for consumers while still providing them with high-quality items.

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