Barana Precision Plastic Machining Services With Computer Controlled

Top reasons to use CNC machining for plastic part production

CNC plastic machining refers to the process of using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to shape and fabricate plastic components. It involves the precise removal of material from a plastic workpiece using cutting tools controlled by computer software.

Here are some key points about CNC plastic machining:

CNC Machining Process: CNC machining involves the use of computer-controlled machines, typically mills or lathes, to cut, drill, mill, and shape plastic materials. The CNC machine follows instructions from a computer program to execute precise movements and cutting paths.

Plastic Material Compatibility: CNC machining is compatible with a wide range of plastic materials, including but not limited to acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, ABS, PEEK, and more. Each plastic material has its own properties and characteristics, such as hardness, heat resistance, and machinability, which need to be considered during the machining process.

Design Considerations: When preparing a plastic component for CNC machining, certain design considerations should be taken into account. These include selecting appropriate plastic materials, optimizing part geometry for machining, considering tool access and clearance, and minimizing undercuts or features that may be challenging to machine.

Machining Operations: CNC plastic machining can encompass various operations, including milling (3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis), drilling, turning, threading, chamfering, and more. These operations are performed using specialized cutting tools, such as end mills, drills, taps, and inserts, which remove material from the plastic workpiece to achieve the desired shape.

Finishing and Surface Treatments: After the machining process, additional finishing operations may be employed to enhance the appearance and functionality of the plastic component. These can include deburring, sanding, polishing, or applying surface treatments like painting, anodizing, or applying a protective coating.

Applications: CNC plastic machining finds applications in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical devices, consumer goods, and more. It is used to produce precision plastic parts, prototypes, functional components, enclosures, housings, and custom plastic components with tight tolerances.

CNC plastic machining provides a versatile and precise method for shaping plastic materials into desired components. The computer-controlled nature of the process allows for high accuracy, repeatability, and intricate detailing. It is an efficient and effective manufacturing technique for producing custom plastic parts with complex geometries and tight tolerances.

CNC Machining Process: CNC machining involves the use of computer-controlled machines, typically mills or lathes, to cut, drill, mill, and shape plastic materials. The CNC machine follows instructions from a computer program to execute precise movements and cutting paths.

Plastic Material Compatibility: CNC machining is compatible with a wide range of plastic materials, including but not limited to acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, ABS, PEEK, and more. Each plastic material has its own properties and characteristics, such as hardness, heat resistance, and machinability, which need to be considered during the machining process.

Design Considerations: When preparing a plastic component for CNC machining, certain design considerations should be taken into account. These include selecting appropriate plastic materials, optimizing part geometry for machining, considering tool access and clearance, and minimizing undercuts or features that may be challenging to machine.

Machining Operations: CNC plastic machining can encompass various operations, including milling (3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis), drilling, turning, threading, chamfering, and more. These operations are performed using specialized cutting tools, such as end mills, drills, taps, and inserts, which remove material from the plastic workpiece to achieve the desired shape.

Finishing and Surface Treatments: After the machining process, additional finishing operations may be employed to enhance the appearance and functionality of the plastic component. These can include deburring, sanding, polishing, or applying surface treatments like painting, anodizing, or applying a protective coating.

Applications: CNC plastic machining finds applications in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical devices, consumer goods, and more. It is used to produce precision plastic parts, prototypes, functional components, enclosures, housings, and custom plastic components with tight tolerances.

CNC plastic machining provides a versatile and precise method for shaping plastic materials into desired components. The computer-controlled nature of the process allows for high accuracy, repeatability, and intricate detailing. It is an efficient and effective manufacturing technique for producing custom plastic parts with complex geometries and tight tolerances.

Common Plastic Materials for CNC Machining

Plastic resins used for CNC milling and turning must be rigid enough to hold their shape while clamped. The following types of plastic resin have proven themselves over the years:

ABS
Tough, impact-resistant, and resistant to chemicals and electrical current, ABS is commonly used in automotive components, power tools, toys, and sporting goods.

Nylon
With greater tensile strength, Nylon is used for fabric, rope, and mechanical parts, often mixed with ABS resins for enhanced properties.

PMMA Acrylic
Rigid and transparent, PMMA is used for clear optical parts, display screens, light pipes, lenses, enclosures, and food storage.

PEEK
A high-strength and stable engineering plastic, PEEK is used for advanced medical, aerospace, and electronic components, known for its resistance to high temperatures.

UHMWPE
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, known for its hardness, strength, chemical resistance, and slippery surface, is commonly used in joint replacements, marine environments, and gear trains.

Inspections and Review for Every Stage of Production

To ensure quality from start to finish, Barana Rapid provides the following inspection and review services:

Extensive incoming materials verification

Design for manufacturing reviews for all quotes provided

Contract reviews upon receipt of POs

First article and in-process inspections

Final inspections and testing with reports and certifications as required

Since 2015, our expertise in the prototyping and production industry has aided both start-ups and established brands in crafting prototypes and products that stand out in the global market. Our commitment to quality and precision is reflected in our advanced machinery and the dedicated team of professionals who work diligently to deliver your products on time. We offer rapid prototyping services at competitive prices, ensuring you receive parts with exceptional precision through cutting-edge manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, 3D printing, vacuum casting, and sheet metal fabrication—all within short lead times.

With precision CNC machining services, Barana Rapid is your ideal partner to create precision machined prototypes and parts. Our standard CNC machining tolerances for metals is ISO 2768-f and for plastics is ISO 2768-m. We can also achieve special tolerances as long as you indicate your requirements for your drawing.

We also provide low-cost manufacturing of high-quality plastic parts. Our vacuum casting services offer short-cycle solutions for creating high-quality prototypes and low-volume production parts. Vacuum casting, or urethane casting, is a method that utilizes a silicone mold and a 3D printed master to produce vacuum-cast parts with consistent performance and production-grade quality. This technology does not require a costly initial investment, enables flexible and economical production, and hardens thermoplastic polyurethane in silicone or epoxy molds. The outcome is a vacuum-cast part that retains the shape of the original master model. The final dimensions of a vacuum-cast part are determined by the master model, the part's geometry, and the selected material.

Our sheet metal fabrication factory offers top-tier custom services, leveraging extensive capabilities in sheet metal stamping, cutting, bending, welding, precision CNC machining, and assembly to deliver superior quality parts. NOBLE's manufacturers employ cutting-edge technology and skilled engineers to guarantee sheet metal parts of unmatched quality, precision, and reliable performance.

Barana Rapid boasts over a decade of expertise in small-batch manufacturing, backed by a stellar team and robust suppliers to fulfill all your small-batch production requirements. Leveraging our extensive experience in small batch molding and our team of exceptional engineers, we are committed to efficiently managing all your small batch machining projects. Our strong supply chain and state-of-the-art equipment for various manufacturing technologies enable us to execute with precision. We guarantee that our wholesale prices will be competitive, we will uphold stringent quality standards, aid clients in design optimization, select the most suitable CNC processing techniques, minimize costs, and facilitate swift mass production. This ensures the delivery of cost-effective and high-precision products to you.

Regardless of the manufacturing process employed, high-quality surface finishing services can enhance both the appearance and functionality of your components. We provide a range of superior metal, composite, and plastic surface finishing services to realize the prototype or component you envision.

Our Goal is to continuously supply affordable high-quality prototypes and custom low-volume products for production intent. Our business model is based upon providing cost effective solution that benefits customers at all stages of their product development. Our biggest asset is our customer base, which has grown rapidly through customer’s word-of-mouth around the world; amongst them, it covers from independent inventors or designers to large scale Industrial, Commercial, Medical, Automotive and even Aerospace companies.