Machine-able plastics?

[Johnny501]

Hi,

I'm looking for a plastic that I can machine on my CNC router, that will give me a nice surface finish.
My experience in the past, with delrin, PC and ABS, has always left small cutter marks. And if you try to sand these surfaces afterwards, you either get fuzz, or a lot of little scratches.

I've heard about flame polishing, but it sounds like there's a lot of trial-and-error involved, and it's easy to over do it.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

Johnny501
KOZM guitars

[derek]

Give foamed PVC a try. You can get sheets from building supply companies under the brand name Azek. You can also get it from sign board suppliers. Brand name s like Celtec and Sintra.

Derek

[RomanLini]

You can get quite a nice finish on acrylics and HDPE, with a real sharp HSS endmill usually used in metal machining. Don't try and use wood bits on plastic!

A finish pass also helps a lot, and good chip removal to make sure there are no chips in the groove when you do the finish pass.

[2TALLTARY]

Acrylic might work but you have to be careful, because it is brittle and will craze if cut to fast or if chips aren't removed when cutting. Acrylic is easy to polish and doesn't scratch as easy as polycarbonate. http://bit.ly/n3RF16

[RomanLini]

Yeah I cut a lot of acrylic (actually I machine it to make blocks, mounts, mechanisms etc) and I use HSS metalworking bits, mainly 4 flute and some 2 flute, and lowish RPMs 7000-12000 depending on the tool diameter.

For cutting out flat 3mm acrylic with a 1/8" endmill the results are usually very nice. Just use brand new HSS endmils that have not been used on anything else, and don't try and use carbide wood bits!

[JoeGranite]

Hi,

I'm looking for a plastic that I can machine on my CNC router, that will give me a nice surface finish.
My experience in the past, with delrin, PC and ABS, has always left small cutter marks. And if you try to sand these surfaces afterwards, you either get fuzz, or a lot of little scratches.

I've heard about flame polishing, but it sounds like there's a lot of trial-and-error involved, and it's easy to over do it.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

Johnny501


KOZM guitars

Have you ever tried vibratory tumbling your plastic parts to have that smooth finish? You can send me a sample and I will run it for you - no problem - no charge!

Giant Finishing - Made In America - Vibratory Deburring Equipment & Media