PEI CNC Machining Services
Elimold has extensive experience in CNC machining of Ultem (polyetherimide or PEI). Our fast turnaround times, instant quotes, and free design for manufacturability analysis will streamline your production process.
PEI CNC Machining Solutions Provider
Elimold has over 10 years of engineering experience and can provide the highest quality PEI CNC machined parts and other products. When you design custom PEI CNC machined products, our team assists clients throughout the entire lifecycle, from customer requirements and design, prototyping, fixture manufacturing, to final production. We also offer reverse engineering services and provide suggestions for improving existing part designs for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing and final assembly. Even in urgent situations, we can produce, source, package, and ship parts on time, making Elimold your preferred PEI CNC machining solutions provider.
What is PEI (ULTEM™ or Polyetherimide)?
PEI sheet is an amorphous plastic (translucent or transparent). It is an amorphous high-performance polymer extruded from amorphous PEI (polyetherimide) engineering plastic using a high-temperature extruder. This material exhibits excellent long-term creep resistance under high temperature and high stress, making it a suitable replacement for metals and other materials in various structural applications. It demonstrates good electrical properties under varying temperature, humidity, and frequency conditions.
It can be used over a wide temperature range, from -50°C to 175°C continuously and up to 200°C for short periods. Another major characteristic of PEI plastic is its excellent flame retardancy, due to the inherent flame-retardant properties of the material itself. In addition to these important characteristics, PEI also has very low moisture absorption, good electrical insulation, and resistance to X-ray and gamma radiation.
Properties and Characteristics of PEI Material
- Excellent strength and rigidity
- High temperature resistance and flame retardancy
- Superior electrical properties and dielectric strength
- Resistance to hydrolysis, hot water, and steam
- Withstands repeated autoclaving and gamma radiation sterilization cycles
- Resistant to a wide range of chemicals
- Extremely low smoke and toxic gas emissions
- Excellent processing performance and ease of manufacturing
- Excellent dimensional stability
Available PEI Material Grades
PEI 900
Compared to PEI 1000, PEI 900 offers higher dimensional stability and better chemical resistance. It is commonly used in applications requiring precision and durable components, particularly in electrical and medical applications.
Ultem 1000
This standard unfilled grade of polyetherimide (PEI) offers excellent heat resistance, strength, and dimensional stability, making it an ideal choice for applications in the electrical and electronics industries.
Ultem 1010
Ultem 1010 stands out from other Ultem grades due to its superior heat resistance and strength, making it particularly suitable for high-temperature applications. Ultem 1010 is specifically designed for applications requiring extremely high heat resistance and mechanical strength.
Ultem 2100, 2200, 2300
These are glass fiber reinforced Ultem materials with glass fiber content of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. The glass fiber reinforcement enhances the material’s strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, especially at high temperatures. Furthermore, Ultem 2300, with its higher glass fiber content, boasts superior heat resistance and dimensional stability.
Ultem 5000 and 5100
These polyetherimide (PEI) grades are specifically designed for the aerospace industry. They offer superior flame retardancy, low smoke emission, and low toxicity, making them ideal for aircraft interior applications.
Ultem 4001 and 4011
These polyetherimide (PEI) grades are optimized for improved processing performance. They are commonly used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Ultem 4011, in particular, is used in the manufacture of drug delivery devices due to its resistance to various chemicals and good biocompatibility.
Carbon Fiber Filled Ultem
Carbon fiber filled Ultem is a high-performance composite material that combines the excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance, and chemical resistance of Ultem with the lightweight and high strength of carbon fiber.
PEI-GF (Glass Fiber Filled)
Glass fiber reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) offers superior mechanical properties, especially strength and stiffness.
Electrostatic Dissipative and Conductive PEI Materials
We offer a variety of PEI materials with electrostatic dissipative and conductive properties, suitable for critical electrical and semiconductor applications.
ULTEM™ HU1000 PEI Medical Grade
We offer ULTEM™ 1000 made from HU1000 resin, suitable for medical applications. It is biocompatible (meets ISO 10993 or USP Class VI standards); meets food contact requirements; and can be sterilized by steam, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, and electron beam.
What is ULTEM CNC Machining?
ULTEM CNC machining refers to the process of manufacturing ULTEM (PEI) plastic parts using computer numerical control (CNC) technology. This advanced thermoplastic is commonly used to manufacture precision parts and components. PEI’s excellent machinability allows manufacturers to produce complex parts with extremely tight tolerances, making it a preferred material for industries requiring high precision. Furthermore, parts made from this material possess superior mechanical strength, heat resistance, and dielectric properties, making them suitable for various industries, including aerospace and automotive. Elimold utilizes advanced CNC milling and turning technologies to ensure the precise and efficient production of ULTEM parts.
Comprehensive Production Support Team
We have a team of experienced manufacturing experts working behind the scenes to fulfill your production orders. We manage the entire process and keep you updated on the latest progress.
Account Manager
Application Engineers
Logistics
Quality Control
PEI CNC Part Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Review Services
Elimold’s customers benefit from our expertise and proprietary technology in ULTEM™ (PEI) and other high-performance plastics. We offer free Design for Manufacturing (DFM) review services to ensure rapid production, minimize waste, and maximize value. Our expert advice ensures you receive the best product made from the right materials, meeting your end-use specifications and providing long-term solutions.
One-Stop PEI CNC Machining Services
Elimold’s in-house CNC machining facility is ISO9001 certified and has established a comprehensive quality control system. Every step, from raw material procurement to product delivery, is strictly controlled. We not only provide precision CNC machining services but also offer customers a one-stop solution, from product design and fixture development to mass production. Furthermore, we have the capability to machine PEEK and other high-performance materials to meet our customers’ diverse needs.
We Manufacture ULTEM™ (PEI) Parts To Your Specifications
With our strong production capacity and lean manufacturing processes, we can provide customers with custom PEI CNC parts manufactured to tolerances of ±0.002″ (±0.05mm). At Elimold, quality and precision are at the core of our operations. We understand that many of the custom parts we produce are critical to the functionality of our customers’ end products. Therefore, we are proud to be a key supplier to numerous customers worldwide. Our ability to maintain tight tolerances and deliver high-quality, repeatable parts quickly makes Elimold the ideal partner for both new and existing projects, whether for mass production or expedited orders.
PEI Surface Treatment Options
Our surface treatment solutions are designed to enhance the performance and appearance of your CNC-machined PEI parts, ensuring your parts meet all functional and aesthetic requirements.
As machined
PEI parts often come off CNC machines with a smooth, naturally finished surface, which is functional and visually appealing for many applications without further finishing.
Sand Blasting
This works well to achieve a matte, slightly textured surface on PEI, although it may reduce material strength slightly if overdone.
Tumbling
This works well to achieve a matte, slightly textured surface on PEI, although it may reduce material strength slightly if overdone.
Heat Treatment
PEI naturally withstands high temperatures, so heat treatment might not alter its properties significantly. Instead, it’s primarily used for stress-relieving if needed.
Teflon Coating
Adding a Teflon layer is possible and can provide PEI with enhanced non-stick and low-friction properties, ideal for parts involved in sliding or wear-heavy applications.
Painting
Painting PEI is an excellent option, especially for aesthetic or branding purposes. Proper surface prep ensures paint adherence and durability.
FAQ
In PEI machining, we can achieve a precision of ±0.002 inches (±0.05 mm) for critical dimensions. Standard tolerances are ±0.005 inches (±0.13 mm). Specific tolerances depend on the part's geometry, size, and specific requirements.
Our CNC machining centers can process PEI sheets up to a maximum size of 1200mm × 800mm × 150mm (47″ × 31″ × 6″). For larger sheets, we can process them in sections and then assemble them using mechanical fasteners or ultrasonic welding.
Our five-axis CNC machining capabilities allow us to produce highly complex PEI parts with intricate geometries, bevels, and complex internal features. We can machine thin walls, deep cavities, and precise internal channels.
We offer a variety of surface finishes, including as-machined (Ra 0.8-3.2μm), sandblasted (for a uniform matte finish), and polished (Ra up to 0.4μm). PEI can also be chemically polished for an ultra-smooth surface. PEI retains its natural amber color but can also be machined in black. Special coatings are also available upon request.
Certain grades of polyetherimide (PEI) are biocompatible and meet USP Class VI standards, making them ideal for medical applications.
PEI is often compared to PEEK and PTFE, but it offers superior strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making it an ideal choice for a variety of demanding applications.
Materials suitable for CNC machining include metals and plastics. When using polyetherimide (PEI), the chosen material must have appropriate melting point and thermal properties to ensure machining accuracy and final product quality.
Get a Quote for PEI Plastic CNC Machining
Ready to have your PEI (Ultem) parts custom manufactured? Contact our team of experts for a detailed quote and technical consultation. We will help you select the right material grade and manufacturing process for your specific application.