Polycarbonate (PC) CNC Machining Services
Elimold offers comprehensive polycarbonate (PC) CNC machining services, surface treatment solutions, and other related services. Advanced CNC equipment and a professional technical team enable us to deliver superior polycarbonate parts at lower costs and with shorter lead times. From single prototype parts to high-volume production, our team can meet your polycarbonate machining needs.
Looking for a reliable polycarbonate product supplier?
If you’re looking for a reliable supplier to manufacture your polycarbonate products or outsource your CNC machining needs, Elimold may be able to meet your critical requirements. We have years of experience in CNC machining of plastic materials, and we handle any project with ease. Leveraging our extensive experience in material processing, we utilize advanced and efficient CNC machining technologies, including CNC milling, CNC turning, and CNC drilling.
Elimold’s goal is to provide every customer with the highest quality products at the best value, and we always consider customer satisfaction key to our development and improvement. Whether it’s product design, prototyping, small-batch modeling, or mass production, we pay attention to every detail at every stage and implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure that the products our customers receive fully meet specifications.
What is Polycarbonate (PC)?
Polycarbonate (PC) is an amorphous thermoplastic. Due to its amorphous nature, it softens before melting and does not have a fixed melting point. It also boasts advantages such as high transparency, strong shatter resistance, and light weight, making it an ideal alternative to glass. Furthermore, it is more heat-resistant than acrylic resins. It typically remains stable at temperatures up to 135-140 °C and is not easily deformed. Compared to other engineering plastics, it not only withstands impacts but also possesses optical transparency, UV resistance, and higher temperature resistance than ordinary engineering plastics. In addition to its excellent mechanical and structural properties, its tensile strength is almost twice that of ABS. Whether in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, or medical industries, the adaptability of polycarbonate ensures it meets the diverse needs of various fields.
What is CNC machining of polycarbonate (PC)?
CNC machining of polycarbonate refers to the process of shaping polycarbonate material into desired forms using computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. This typically involves various processes such as cutting, milling, drilling, and turning. CNC machining of polycarbonate is suitable for producing precision and fully functional parts. Generally, CNC milling is used to machine more complex features, such as grooves, contours, or holes. CNC turning can be used to machine cylindrical parts, such as discs or rings. Polycarbonate parts machined by turning exhibit particularly outstanding strength and transparency. It is important to note that CNC machining of polycarbonate does not directly produce optically transparent parts; therefore, some subsequent finishing processes are required.
Types and Grades of Polycarbonate We Work With
There are several polycarbonate materials to choose from, and these materials are almost identical, with only minor differences, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. If you have any specific questions about material selection, please feel free to contact us.
General Purpose Polycarbonate
This polycarbonate boasts exceptional toughness and glass-like transparency. Its smooth surface makes it ideal for aesthetic applications. Furthermore, its excellent UV resistance makes it perfect for outdoor use.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonate
Glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate is a robust and durable polycarbonate with high impact strength and toughness, making it an ideal alternative to engineering plastics and metals. Containing 10-40% glass fiber, it enhances the strength of standard polycarbonate, making it an ideal metal substitute for manufacturing industrial-grade parts.
Mechanical Grade Polycarbonate
This polycarbonate material offers excellent dimensional stability, superior electrical properties, high modulus of elasticity, and impact resistance. Parts made from mechanical grade polycarbonate are typically used in applications requiring extensive machining.
AMGARD™ Polycarbonate
AMGARD™ polycarbonate is a superior engineering plastic that incorporates silver ions to effectively prevent microbial growth on its surface. This polycarbonate is ideal for manufacturing medical devices and equipment, protective shields, and other applications requiring sterile and mold-free surfaces.
TUFFAK Polycarbonate
TUFFAK is a versatile polycarbonate plastic with twice the strength of glass. It is suitable for a variety of manufacturing processes, such as CNC machining and thermoforming. TUFFAK polycarbonate exhibits extremely high dimensional stability and good compatibility with adhesives, coatings, and solvents.
Advantages of CNC-machined Polycarbonate Parts
PC is a versatile engineering plastic with excellent material properties. Common mechanical properties include:
- High impact resistance: Withstands significant impact forces without cracking or breaking.
- Excellent optical clarity: Ideal for applications requiring transparency, achieving up to 90% light transmittance with a refractive index of 1.548.
- Thermal stability: Maintains performance at temperatures up to 140°C (284°F).
- Good chemical resistance: Resistant to oils, greases, and dilute acids.
- Excellent electrical insulation properties: Ensures reliability in electronic and electrical applications.
- Lightweight and robust: Offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling efficient component design.
- UV radiation resistance: Certain grades of polycarbonate offer excellent UV radiation resistance.
- Excellent dimensional stability: This engineering thermoplastic has a low shrinkage rate of 0.6% – 0.9%.
Polycarbonate CNC Machining Manufacturer
If you’re looking for reliable polycarbonate machining services, Elimold can meet your various project needs. As a reliable manufacturer of custom plastic parts, we’ll assist you from start to finish. To date, we’ve completed over 10,000 machining projects on polycarbonate materials. Therefore, our extensive experience ensures efficient operations and supports your business growth. Whether you need any polycarbonate products or other plastic machining projects, Elimold is a trustworthy choice. Contact us today with a complete design of your ideal product, and we will repay you with excellent service.
Custom CNC Machining of PC Plastic Parts
If you’re looking for an readily available plastic with high impact strength, good machinability, and excellent dimensional stability, then polycarbonate may be the right choice for your project. Elimold understands the unique challenges of machining and manufacturing polycarbonate plastics that conventional processing equipment cannot handle. Therefore, with over a decade of expertise in plastic machining, we ensure on-time, high-quality, and compliant solutions. Furthermore, our engineering team has achieved an exceptional balance between transparency and toughness in machined polycarbonate parts, exhibiting an excellent range of heat distortion temperatures.
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
Innovative Design Solutions for Polycarbonate CNC Parts
When you partner with Elimold, our team of expert engineers and designers works closely with you to understand the specific requirements and challenges of your project. This results in innovative and customized polycarbonate parts that not only meet your expectations but exceed them in terms of functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Furthermore, if your custom PC parts require reverse engineering, our superior service and efficient production processes ensure timely delivery and high-quality service.
Our Advantages in CNC Polycarbonate Machining Services
Choosing the right material for your manufacturing project is crucial to its success. Manufacturing partners like Elimold can simplify this complexity and address the challenges posed by PC materials. In addition to helping you determine which polycarbonate material is best suited for your parts, our team can provide the tools and expertise you need to ensure production runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Furthermore, our state-of-the-art machinery, spotless machining workshop, and professional quality control team are capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. Start your project now, send us your drawings, and receive an immediate quote for your parts.
Polycarbonate CNC Machining Parts Process
Multiple advanced polycarbonate (PC) CNC machining technologies utilize state-of-the-art equipment for precise cutting, milling, and shaping, ensuring excellent dimensional accuracy and a smooth surface finish.
One-Stop PC Plastic Parts Machining Solution
We specialize in the machining and manufacturing of PC plastic parts, from small to large, and in batches from prototyping to mass production, helping you turn your engineering ideas into reality. Machining accuracy is up to ±0.005 inches. Regardless of the precision or complexity of the polycarbonate product, we provide automated machining processes, comprehensive project management, advanced assembly lines, and logistics services. Our mission is to help our customers produce high-quality machined plastic parts at highly competitive prices and with fast delivery times. In short, we provide a one-stop solution for all your polycarbonate machining and manufacturing needs.
Polycarbonate (PC) CNC Machining Workshop
Our 136,000 square foot machining workshop is equipped with over 100 CNC machining centers, including milling machines, lathes, mill-turn-turn machines, Swiss-type machines, and engraving machines. In addition, our CNC plastics machining workshop brings together numerous precision machining experts. Whether it’s complex mission-critical components or standard products, we ensure accurate and repeatable results in precision CNC cutting of polycarbonate, guaranteeing perfection in every job.
Surface Treatment Solutions for Machined Polycarbonate Parts
Our professional surface treatment services are designed to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your custom CNC-machined polycarbonate parts. Our comprehensive range of surface treatment options ensures your parts not only deliver superior performance but also a flawless appearance.
As Machined
Polycarbonate parts can be left with their as-machined finish, which typically has a smooth surface directly resulting from the machining process.
Sand Blasting
This can be used to create a matte or textured finish on polycarbonate surfaces.
Tumbling
Tumbling can smooth out the edges and provide a polished appearance to polycarbonate parts.
Painting
Painting is often used for polycarbonate to enhance appearance or add color. Special paints designed for plastic should be used to ensure adhesion and durability.
Brushed Finish
Brushing can give a unique texture to the polycarbonate surface, often resulting in a sleek, lined pattern.
Quality Assurance for Polycarbonate Components
Quality is our top priority. We implement rigorous quality control measures at every stage of the production process. From material selection to final inspection, we ensure that every polycarbonate component meets the highest standards of precision, durability, and performance. We have complete confidence in every product we manufacture. All processing procedures are strictly performed according to ISO standards, with the final step involving careful inspection using a coordinate measuring machine, calipers, and imaging tools. Your satisfaction is the guarantee of everything we do.
FAQ
We can machine polycarbonate to a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, depending on the part geometry, while maintaining strength and transparency.
Yes, polycarbonate can be tapped and threaded. However, for high-strength applications or applications requiring repeated assembly, threaded inserts (such as Helicoil threaded sleeves) are recommended.
High-temperature resistance depends on material properties. PC can withstand temperatures up to approximately 135°C. Its heat resistance is worse than ABS, but not as good as materials like PEEK.
PC is tougher and more impact-resistant. Acrylic has better scratch resistance and optical transparency, but is more brittle.
Yes, with appropriate post-processing, CNC-machined PC parts can be polished to near optical transparency.
Steam polishing is a process that smooths a surface by exposing it to a vaporized solvent, causing the surface to melt and reflow. This process reduces surface roughness, increases transparency and gloss, and makes parts appear bright and clear.
We can machine polycarbonate parts up to 1000mm x 500mm x 500mm.
Polycarbonate is more impact-resistant and flexible than acrylic. However, acrylic has better scratch resistance and optical transparency. Polycarbonate is suitable for applications requiring high toughness, while acrylic is suitable for applications requiring superior transparency and aesthetics.
Yes, UV-stabilized polycarbonate sheets are ideal for outdoor applications. Our UV-resistant polycarbonate sheets feature a co-extruded UV protection layer that prevents yellowing and aging, providing an outdoor lifespan of over 10 years. Ordinary transparent polycarbonate sheets, without UV protection, may yellow within 2-3 years under direct sunlight.
Compared to PMMA (acrylate), polycarbonate has better impact resistance and toughness. Compared to ABS, polycarbonate generally has higher strength, heat resistance, and optical transparency, but ABS is easier to process. Compared to PA (nylon), polycarbonate has better transparency and impact resistance, but PA may have better chemical resistance and abrasion resistance.
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