Plastic fabrication is critical to many industries, from aerospace and defense to automotive and medical. The process is used to design, manufacture, and assemble complex and critical products that are made from plastic. There are many plastic fabrication services on the market to create products that fit your exact specifications and meet all of the requirements of your industry. Here we’re exploring some of the common plastic fabrication services and how to tell if it’s the best option for your application.

Common Plastic Fabrication Services

CNC Machining

CNC machining is a precise fabrication process and it is used to create plastic products with complex designs and tight tolerances. CNC machining uses programmed computer software to dictate the movement of tools and machines in order to create these precise products. The manufacturer will upload your design into the CNC machine, and from there, the machine will follow the design to make sure your products meet all of your standards.

There are a few different types of CNC machining, including milling, turning, grinding, and lapping. Each of these processes is different and is used to create different shapes and parts: 

  • CNC Milling uses rotational tools to remove parts of the plastic, creating the desired product. There are a few common types of CNC milling. 3-axis CNC milling moves tools along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes to cut sharp edges, drill holes, and perform boring and tapping. 4-axis CNC milling works along the same axes as the 3-axis process and the A-axis to cut holes, cut along the arc, carve cutouts, and engravings.
  • CNC Turning rotates the work material rapidly while stationary tools remove material to create the desired part. This process is much more accurate than manual turning and can create products with highly complex designs.
  • CNC Grinding is used to refine the surfaces of final products using a rotating grinding wheel. This process results in a high-quality surface finish so your products have a nice final look and feel.
  • CNC Lapping is another surface finishing operation. It uses loose abrasive powders mixed with water- or oil-based liquids to give products a dull, non-reflective appearance.

Plastic Annealing

Plastic annealing is the process of heating a plastic part to half of its melting point before cooling it back to room temperature. This fabrication process is usually used to allow the plastic to relax, reducing the internal stressors to assist with downstream processes. This ultimately helps to keep your manufacturing process moving smoothly.

Plastic Bending

This fabrication process is used to shape plastics to fit the needs of your application. It enables the development of curved and seamless shapes to yield the shape you need while also providing a high-quality finished look.

Plastic Bonding

As the name suggests, the process of plastic bonding is used to bond polymers to each other and to other substrates. Many times this process is necessary to improve the functionality and aesthetics of your products. There are a few different types of plastic bonding:

  • Solvent Bonding is a sealing process where multiple materials and pieces are bonding together using a strong solvent. The solvent works by softening and dissolving the materials so the products can mix together and bond together.
  • Ultrasonic Bonding applies high-frequency, or ultrasonic, sound waves to two workpieces that are held together under high pressure, fusing them into one piece. The sound waves cause the materials to vibrate and the plastics melt just slightly, creating a joint.
  • Adhesive Bonding uses a plastic adhesive to join workpieces together. These adhesives have different properties and are ideal for different polymers, so it is important to make sure you are choosing the right adhesive for your polymer and application.

How to Know Which Plastic Fabrication Services Are Best for Your Application

When you are trying to decide between different plastic fabrication services, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

Determine What You Need Out of Your Product

You will need to know what properties your product needs to have to be successful in your application, this includes weather, chemical, and water resistance, durability, strength, and more. At Ensinger, we have a wide range of polymers available to you and our team can help you decide which is best for your application.

How You Want Your Product to Look

Your product’s final look and feel are just as important as its functionality. The finished look and feel can make your product easier to use and more enjoyable. You should consider the color, texture, and the shape your product will take.

Not only do we offer bonding, annealing, bending, and various surface finishing services, but we have a wide range of polymers to choose from. When you partner with us, you will not only have your choice of polymer but also the finishing texture your product will have.

Industry Standards

Different industries have different standards that must be met during the production process. The medical industry will have different requirements and standards than the aerospace industry. At Ensinger, our team has worked with a wide range of industries, providing them with the polymers and services needed to meet the tight tolerances and strict standards of their industry.

For All of Your Plastic Fabrication Services, Turn to Ensinger

Are you ready to get started? Contact our team today.