Plastics CNC Machining

Fathom offers the CNC machining of high-quality plastic parts to its customers. Fathom can manufacture parts with excellent detail using the most up-to-date CNC technology. Our team has tackled thousands of CNC machined jobs and is ready to work on your design today.

What is Plastics CNC Machining? / /

CNC or Computer Numerical Control manufacturing is a highly efficient technology wherein pre-programmed software guides the movements of manufacturing equipment. CNC machining facilitates three-dimensional cutting tasks using only a single set of prompts. The automated nature of CNC manufacturing removes the need for a live operator, reducing costs. CNC machining is perfect for manufacturing solid raw materials, including plastic.

What are the Benefits of Plastics in CNC Machining? / /

There are multiple advantages when using CNC manufacturing technology to produce plastic parts. Prototypes can be made quickly because there is no custom mold. Since no mold is constructed, the turnaround time is faster, reducing costs. Tighter tolerances are possible with CNC machining, making it a good solution for applications requiring precision. Plastic offers good chemical and corrosion resistance.

What are the types of Plastic used in CNC Machining? / /

Fathom offers numerous plastics for CNC machining, including:

• ABS: ABS plastic, also known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, has many favorable properties. ABS is strong, tough, and offers good chemical and thermal stability. Parts made using ABS include pipes, keyboards, parts for refrigeration, etc.
• Nylon: Nylon is neutral with a milky appearance or black. Nylon offers chemical and heat resistance, strength, and toughness. Parts made from nylon include components for the medical, electronics, aerospace industries and more.
• Acrylic: Sometimes referred to as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic is a clear polymer often used as an alternative to glass. PMMA is durable, shatter and scratch-resistant, UV resistant, and has excellent weatherability. Applications of acrylic include contact lenses and glasses, light fixtures, greenhouse panels, screens, syringes, surgical trays, etc.
• Delrin: Delrin is a semi-crystalline acetal homopolymer (polyoxymethylene). Delrin is wear and impact-resistant, stiff, and has good dimensional stability and high tensile strength. Parts made from Delrin include components for medical devices, conveyor systems, safety restraints and gears.
• HDPE: High-density polyethylene is also known as polyethylene high-density (PEHD). HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer with a strong, cost-effective, high strength-to-density ratio, chemical and corrosion resistance, and impact resistance. HDPE applications include piping, chemical containers, cable insulators, fuel tanks, toys, etc.
• Polycarbonate: PC is a transparent thermoplastic polymer. Polycarbonate is strong, recyclable, heat and weather-resistant, and can be used to make parts that touch food. PC applications include safety helmets, face shields, insulators, lenses, packaging, aerospace parts, automotive parts, etc.

CNC Machining Services Offered by Fathom / /

Work with Fathom on your next CNC machining job. Fathom offers many CNC services, including CNC 3 & 5 AXIS, CNC milling and turning, sinker EDM, wire EDM, Swiss machining and more. As part of our comprehensive services, we also offer finishing and post-processing. CNC machining is just one of 28 manufacturing services.

Additive Manufacturing

• FDM
• SLS
• SLA
• Polyjet
• MJF
• DMLS
• DLS
• STEP (Evolve)

CNC Machining

• CNC (3 & 5 Axis)
• CNC Lathe
• Precision Grinding
• Wire & Sinker EDM

Injection Molding

• Injection Molding
• Tooling
• Compression Molding

Metal Cutting and Forming

• Thermoforming
• Sheet Metal Punching
• Sheet Metal Cutting
• Metal Forming
• Laser Cutting
• Water Jet Cutting
• Chemical Etching
• Welding
• Micro Cutting

Standalone

• Die Casting
• Urethane Casting
• Composite Layups
• Extrusion
• Post Processing & Finishing
  • Pad Printing
  • Powder Coating
  • Bead Blasting
  • Surface Grinding
  • Polishing
  • Anodize
  • Powder Coat Passivate
  • Chemfilm
  • Vacuum Metallization
  • Silkscreen
  • Plating
  • Tumbled

CNC Machines Used by Fathom / /

Fathom’s manufacturing facilities are powered by over 530 machines, including mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to metal prototype fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.

Fathom provides not just CNC machining but also hybridized services leveraging prototype fabrication and additive manufacturing. Need metal prototype fabrication as part of a more complex project? Fathom can handle it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:

Case Study //

Real Customers. Real Results.

A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.

20,000 Parts // Within 27 Days

15,000

55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts

First Article in 2 Weeks

3,000

3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts

2,000

2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts

Hybridized Services Used //

3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.

DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.

CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.

Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.

24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.

Injection + Compression Molding.

Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.

Advanced Project Management.

Fathom’s Locations for CNC Machining Services / /

CNC Milling Locations Nationwide

Fathom’s manufacturing network has nine locations across the United States with CNC capabilities. Our CNC locations are:

HEADQUARTERS
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR

ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

FLORIDA
14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
ISO 13485:2016

CALIFORNIA
620 3rd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified

MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304

TEXAS
1801 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016

1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016

Plastics CNC Machining Cost FAQs / /

Q: Does Fathom offer CNC services?

A: Yes, Fathom offers CNC services.

Q: What is a CNC machine?

A: CNC machines are computer-driven manufacturing equipment.

Q: Is Fathom ISO 9001: 2015 certified?

A: Yes, Fathom is ISO 9001: 2015 certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.

Q: Is Fathom ISO 13485:2016 certified?

A: Yes, Fathom is ISO 13485:2016 certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.

Q: Is Fathom NIST 800-171 certified?

A: Yes, Fathom is NIST 800-171 certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.

Q: Is Fathom ITAR certified?

A: Yes, Fathom is ITAR certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.

Q: Can plastic be CNC machined?

A: Yes, plastic can be CNC machined.

Q: What plastic is used for CNC machines?

A: Plastic for CNC machining includes ABS, acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, HDPE and Delrin.

Q: Which plastic is best for machining?

A: There are many different types of plastic used for machining including ABS, acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate and more. The best plastic for your application meets your design’s end-use requirements and budget.

Q: What is the cutting speed for plastic?

A: The cutting speed for plastic depends on the type of plastic. For example, ABS has a cutting speed of 980-1640 ft/min, and polycarbonate has a cutting speed of 980 ft/min.

Related Topics / /

• Turning & Medical Devices
• CNC Machining Services
• High-Speed Precision Machining
• Accelerated CNC Machining
• Machine Shop Services
• CNC Turning & Milling
• CNC Milling Services
• CNC Turning Services
• Swiss Machine Quotes
• CNC Quotes
• CNC Machining Cost
• Low Carbon Steel CNC Machining
• Aluminum CNC Machining
• Brass CNC Machining
• Stainless Steel CNC Machining

Plastics CNC Machining Quotes / /

Are you ready for a quote on your next plastic CNC machining job? Submit your details to Fathom’s SmartQuote application for a fast quote.