Mechanical Processing in Plastic Fabrication Process

Mechanical processing in plastic fabrication process using methods such as cutting and stamping to perform secondary processing on molded or semi-molded plastic products. This results in products with more precise dimensions, more complex shapes, or smoother surfaces, or allows for the rapid and economical production of single-piece or small-batch plastic products.

1. The Necessity of Machining

Supplementing Molding Technology: For single-piece or small-batch plastic products, manufacturing dedicated molds can be both time-consuming and expensive. Machining plastic profiles provides a quick and economical way to obtain the desired products.

Improving Product Performance: Machining can improve the surface quality of plastic products, enhancing their resistance to aging and wear. For example, surface painting can enhance the anti-aging properties of products, while metal plating can give products some of the characteristics of metal.

2. Machining Methods

Turning: Using a lathe tool to cut rotating plastic products. Suitable for machining cylindrical, conical, and other rotating parts.

Milling: Using a milling cutter to cut plastic products. Suitable for machining complex shapes such as planes, grooves, and gears.

Drilling: Using a drill bit to machine holes in plastic products; suitable for machining holes of various diameters and depths.

Sawing: Using a saw blade to cut plastic products; suitable for machining long strips or sheet-like plastic products.

Punching: Using a punch to cut plastic sheets, separating the cut material from the sheet to obtain a flat blank or finished product. This method is suitable for machining sheet-like products with complex shapes and high dimensional accuracy.

Laser Cutting: Using the high energy density of a laser beam to cut plastic products; it has advantages such as fast cutting speed, high precision, and smooth cut edges.

3. Characteristics and Precautions of Machining

Characteristics: Tool and Parameter Selection: Plastics have low strength and low cutting force, allowing for larger cutting depths while maintaining a sharp cutting edge; however, plastics have low hardness, requiring appropriate clamping force to prevent deformation.

Influence of Thermal Properties: Plastics have poor thermal conductivity, easily leading to localized overheating, melting, decomposition, or combustion; therefore, smaller feed rates, timely chip removal, and selection of tools with good thermal conductivity are necessary.

Chip Management: Plastic chips are often ribbon-like and easily entangle on parts and cutting tools. Compressed air is needed for timely chip removal and tool cooling.

Shrinkage Consideration: Plastics have a high coefficient of linear expansion; the shrinkage rate of the machined part must be considered during high-speed cutting.

Precautions: Tool Wear: Tool wear is rapid during plastic machining; regular inspection and replacement are necessary.

Machining Accuracy: The machining accuracy of plastic products is affected by various factors, such as tool wear and machine tool vibration. Appropriate measures must be taken to improve machining accuracy.

Dust and Harmful Gases: Some plastics generate dust or harmful gases during machining; good ventilation and dust control measures are required.

Qingdao Xueyu Molding Products Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in the design and manufacturing of injection molds, injection molding and secondary processing (spraying, pad printing, ultrasonic welding, stamping), etc. For more information about plastic fabrication process, please contact us.

Website: www.xyzmould.com

Address: No.18 Henan Head Road, Henan Head Community, Jihongtan Street, Qingdao Industrial Park, Shandong Province, China

Email: wangmiaotian8@163.com