Machine Shop Materials

Materials for machine shops and machine shop applications (NAICS 332710).

Machine shops (NAICS 332710) incorporate various materials into their operations and offerings, including acrylic, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate. Acrylic is commonly used for transparent applications, such as prototyping, signage, and displays. Polyethylene is utilized for its chemical resistance and durability, finding applications in machining parts. Polypropylene, known for its stiffness and dimensional stability, is often used to manufacture high-strength parts that need resistance to heat, chemicals, and moisture. Polycarbonate finds use in safety goggles, machine guards, and protective covers. By leveraging these plastics through CNC machining, fabrication, and custom tooling, machine shops meet diverse client requirements across numerous industries.

Machine shops may utilize nylon, acetal (polyoxymethylene), and UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) for machining power transmission parts. Nylon is chosen for its wear resistance and strength, while acetal offers stiffness, low friction, and dimensional stability. UHMW provides exceptional wear resistance, low friction, and high impact strength. These plastics are commonly used to manufacture power transmission components such as gears, bushings, bearings, sprockets, and wear strips. By incorporating these materials into their machining processes, machine shops can produce durable and high-performance power transmission parts that meet the specific requirements of their customers.

Properties

Machinable
Strong and stiff
Wear-resistant
Heat-resistant
Chemically-resistant
Dimensionally stable
Cost-effective

Applications

Prototyping
Power transmission parts
Gears and bearings
Bushings and washers
Guides and slides
Conveyor components
Pump and valve components
Structural components

Industries

Machine shops
CNC machining shops
Prototype machine shops
Tool and die shops
Job shops
Specialized machine shops
Repair and maintenance shops

Machine Shop Materials Overview

What are the best plastics for CNC machining?

Acetal, nylon, acrylic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene are plastics all known for their excellent machinability. Here are some of the commonly considered plastics that are well-suited for CNC machining:

Acetal (Polyoxymethylene, POM): Acetal is a versatile engineering plastic with good machinability. It offers high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability, making it suitable for precision components and gears.

Nylon (Polyamide): Nylon is a strong and flexible thermoplastic that can be easily machined. It has good wear resistance, high tensile strength, and excellent impact resistance, making it suitable for various applications.

Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA): Acrylic is a transparent plastic known for its optical clarity. It has good machinability and is often used for prototyping, signage, and displays.

Polyethylene (PE): Polyethylene is a versatile thermoplastic that is easily machinable. It comes in various forms, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and is known for its chemical resistance, durability, and low friction properties.

Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic with excellent impact resistance and machinability. It is often used for applications requiring transparency and durability, such as safety goggles, machine guards, and protective covers.

Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is a rigid plastic with good chemical resistance and machinability. It offers high strength, low friction, and good dimensional stability, making it suitable for various applications.

Materials for machine shop applications fall under NAICS code #332710.

What are the best plastics for CNC machining?

Machine shop services encompass a range of capabilities such as CNC machining, prototyping, custom part manufacturing, tool and die making, fabrication, secondary operations, repair and maintenance, material sourcing, and quality assurance. These services involve manufacturing, machining, and fabricating parts and components according to customer specifications, with expertise in precision, customization, and meeting specific requirements. Machine shops offer comprehensive solutions to support various industries, from prototyping and production to repair and maintenance.

Machine Shop Materials Resources & PDFs

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Ethyl acrylate, CAS 140-88-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including N,N-Dimethylformamide, CAS 68-12-2, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including METHYLPYRROLIDONE, CAS 872-50-4, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Bisphenol A, CAS 80-05-7, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

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