Plastic Fabrication

Have You Started A Plastic Machining Project That Needs Help

Have You Started A Plastic Machining Project That Needs Help

To find any machine shop is very easy. The difficult part is finding the shop that specializes in plastic machining, particularly plastic precision machining and other non-metallic parts and plastic machine parts.

Aerospace, fluid handling, medical and semiconductor are just few of the many industries that have constant demand for tasks that involve plastic materials and processes. Shops may be flooding the streets of America, however, finding the right shop that provides excellence service to customers on top of offering the highest quality of plastic precision machining service and plastic-precisioned products and parts. Building trust is essential. Sometimes it is easy, however at most, people place trust to wrong shops. To help you on this, there are several tips that serve as your guide, in case need for plastic machining arises.

Before purchasing plastic materials and machines such as plastic rod, plastic molds, plastic welding, plastic sheet, plastic injection molders, plastic fabrication and other plastic precision machining parts, you need to understand the capacity, condition and capability of the plastic machine or plastic machine parts. A conversation with the store manager or sales agent can be helpful.

Second, make sure that the plastic machine shop can give you important documents such as maintenance records, manuals and the complete manufacturer’s specifications and equipment retrofit quotes. These papers are great source of information that is useful in your decision making with regards plastic machining. Third, use the expertise of third party to verify the condition of the plastic machine parts. Their opinion or appraisal on the condition, quality and capability of the plastic precision machining parts and plastic materials are decisive. Today, there are several advantages of using plastic materials over metal parts.

Plastic materials have properties and characteristics that contribute to the high quality of the finished products at reasonable costs. These properties include lightweight, high-impact resistance, corrosion resistance, easy processing, high-wear resistance and less roughness. Experts suggest that beside great savings, plastic materials increase productivity, improved appearance and long duration without the lubrication requirements. Polyethylene machining parts are also preferred due to their being recyclable and environment-friendly.

When it comes to aeronautics and aerospace technology, plastic machining is preferred over materials because the former can withstand heat. Nowadays, plastic materials and plastic machine parts are used in solid fuel booster and ablative shields to allow re-entry of space shuttles.

In manufacturing helicopters, plastic materials and plastic precision machining play a key role for its durability, flexibility and capacity to absorb vibrations. Its being strong means the weight of the aircraft can be reduced without compromising quality and safety.

During World War II, plastic was first introduced as a substitute for rubber machining and items such as fuel-tank linings, flier’s boots and so forth. Today, plastic industry continues to evolve with technology. If your needs fall under the category of pipe systems, plastic machining is very helpful in few ways. First, it is cost-efficient as far as installation and equipment are concerned. Second, plastic precision machining and plastic materials require less maintenance. Third, they last longer than the metal counterparts.

Plastic machining including all plastic materials and plastic parts does not decompose. In fact, this property is advantageous because it allow engineers and manufacturers to recycle the plastic parts and materials. Its source is oil. However, scientists today are doing their best efforts to produce plastic from vegetable oil.

Industrial Plastics Suppliers

Industrial Plastics Suppliers

Built on the principle of satisfying the customer’s needs, Lehigh Valley Plastics is an international plastic manufacturing production company and supplier of engineered bass plastic components and fabrications. It is one of the few remaining plastics manufacturing companies that offers full-service capabilities from design and engineering to the production of nearly any plastic product, quickly and cost effectively.

Over the years Lehigh Valley Plastics has evolved into a market leader using lean plastics manufacturing techniques, precision forming and machining technology, and innovative designs. Known for unsurpassed quality in a broad range of product materials, personal service, and a fast, cost-effective response, Lehigh Valley Plastics has built its reputation one customer at a time.

To achieve this vision, Lehigh Valley Plastics is focused on three objectives: to exceed its customers’ expectations; to continue to invest in leading-edge technologies; and to develop skilled employees who share a passion for its business. An example of developing skilled employees is illustrated by Lehigh Valley Plastics’ desire to obtain quality certifications for its employees from the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Lehigh Valley Plastics’ Quality Manager, Michael A. Humza, has recently completed the requirements and has become certified in Quality/Organizational Excellence by the ASQ. This certification reflects Humza’s proficiency in and comprehension of quality management principles and practices. The certification by the ASQ is a formal recognition of Humza’s demonstration of understanding and commitment to quality techniques and practices in his job and career. As quality manager, the accomplishment accentuates Lehigh Valley Plastics’ commitment to quality and continuous improvement. In 2008, Humza will further develop his “5S and Lean” practices while championing the process of obtaining ISO 9001:2000 certifications for Lehigh Valley Plastics, Inc.

Lehigh Valley Plastics offers an extensive range of services and capabilities including plastic fabrication, injection molding and plastic machining. We are able to design, engineer, and produce virtually any plastic product from the simplest to the most complex.

Custom Plastic Fabrications

Custom Plastic Fabrications

Custom Plastic Fabrication is the process of machining, forming, bending, cutting, polishing and assembling plastic parts from a custom design. Custom plastic fabrication requires that the manufacturer completely understand the application and requirements. The requirements can be a detailed CAD drawing or just a rough sketch, as long as the manufacturer understands them. The finished product may be a one-of-a-kind object, or it may be thousands of uniform parts. Plastic is chosen because of its durability and ability to be shaped and molded into virtually any form. Many products are fabricated out of corrosive resistant plastics such as polypropylene, PVC, and polyethylene.

Plastic fabrication services use routing, bending and forming machines to create plastic parts. The custom plastic fabrication shop must have the following capabilities:

Heat form large curved/radius pieces
Precision bending
Flame acrylic to glass-like clarity
Layout and design
Mechanical assembly
Prototyping
Specialty packaging

Plastic is formed using heat to bend the plastic. Sometimes molds are used, and this is called vacuum forming. After the plastic is melted into the mold, a vacuum pumps out all the air from under the mold ensuring a that the plastic is tight against the mold for a perfect part.

Custom plastic fabrication services also include assembling the plastic parts. This requires different types of welding including linear vibration welding, hot plate welding, and infrared and ultrasonic welding to join plastic to plastic, or plastic to metal.

The fabrication process goes beyond mere engineering; it encompasses a thorough understanding of each client’s applications, requirements, expectations, and budget. The dedicated staff at Lehigh Valley Plastics works with customers to develop and create the best plastic products to meet their specifications, creatively, on time, and within budget. Lehigh Valley Plastics’ Fabrication Division is able to cut, bend, glue, weld, route, and polish various types of polymers to create a product – from a one-of-a-kind artistic piece to thousands of commercial or industrial parts.

At Lehigh Valley Plastics, we believe that finding ways to build a better product more cost effectively is an integral part of the manufacturing process. To accomplish that, we offer full-service plastic fabrication, machining and molding capabilities to meet your needs.

5 AXIS TRIM 2

5 Axis Trimming of an exciting project in Greenville USA. Luckey Climbers designed and project managed the entire structure but Plas-Tech manufactured the 1/2″ clear polycarbonate main platforms. Flat sheet was thermoformed, 5 axis trimmed as seen on this video then hardcoated in house. If you are interested in getting Plas-Tech to manufacture something as exciting for your project please do not hesitate to call us 416-736-0004 www.plastechonline.com

OEM’s Turn to Connecticut Plastics for Plastic Fabrication Services

OEM’s Turn to Connecticut Plastics for Plastic Fabrication Services

Finding a machine shop may not be difficult, but finding one that specializes only in plastic machining is another story. Connecticut Plastics is an industry leading expert in precision plastic machining, and provides the highest quality precision plastic components for various industries including aerospace, medical, robotics, electronics, and testing & measurement OEM’s.

Connecticut Plastics stays ahead of the competition by keeping up with the latest technology and materials for every industry they serve. They work with material manufacturers like DuPont, Quadrant, Ensinger, and others to ensure that they receive and provide the latest in plastic polymer materials. With over 30 years of experience providing plastic fabrication services to customers around the world, they have the knowledge and skills to meet industry standards and specifications for almost any project. Close tolerances can be met and difficult parts are never a problem.

Connecticut Plastics uses the latest equipment and machines to provide the parts you need, machined to your exact specifications and delivered on time. Their commitment to quality and efficiency means a smoother production process that produces better results for a successful project. Here is an example of what customer’s have to say about Connecticut Plastics:

“Hi Tom,

Just a note to let you know we received the balance of our order for the 20 machined PETG specimen compression devices, and they were beautiful. Expertly machined, clean as a whistle and flawlessly packaged. They worked well, too.

Please pass along our thanks to your employees for a job well done. I won’t hesitate to use or recommend your company in the future!”

-Tom J., Product Development Engineer – Medical Device Industry

Since its incorporation in 1980, Connecticut Plastics has been manufacturing precision machined plastic components for Original Equipment Manufacturers around the world. Connecticut Plastics takes pride in providing professional customer service and quality products to all of their customers on every single job. In addition to precision machining of plastics, Connecticut Plastics also provides annealing services, small assembly, and plastic polishing including vapor polishing. We also specialize in producing bonded manifolds for our customers who are looking to reduce space, weight and installation time and error by including a fluidic manifold in their design.

Acrylic And Plastic Fabrication

Acrylic And Plastic Fabrication

A great many cost-effective products such as point of sale display stands and brochure holders are made from acrylic or plastic these days. One of the best features of Acrylic stands is that they are see-through, so that using them makes brochures and leaflets more visible to the customer who may otherwise pass through the foyer without noticing them.

Thermo forming machines are used during plastic fabrication to heat plastic sheets so that they can be stretched over a mould to form a product of some kind. Thin plastic is used to form such things as cups and plates. This can be fed into the thermoforming machine from a roll. Thicker sheets and larger thermo forming machines are used for such things as refrigerator linings and vehicle dashboard panels.

During the process vacuum forming removes trapped air and helps to adjust the thickness of the material at specific points so that these areas will not be thin and weaker. At the end of the cycle, the vacuum must be broken to allow the product to be removed from the machine. This is done by a short burst of reverse air pressure called air-eject.

The plastic sheet is then fed into another machine that cuts the moulded parts from the surrounding plastic web. The waste parts can then be recycled to make more plastic sheeting for use by the same company or another one.

Laser cutting is used in the production of many acrylic and plastic products. Using a laser to cut through plastic or acrylic sheets gives a superior edge that is smooth and well-defined.

Thermo forming can be used to create sample products or one-off prototype parts, or larger machines can be used to create many thousands of parts or shapes per hour – for instance, disposable cups and other containers for the food industry. It is also of particular use for the medical industry.

New heavy gauge thermoforming technology came into being during the Second World War with the need for aircraft windows and machine gun turret windows. The end use of most heavy gauge parts is of a permanent nature, while the thin gauge products are usually disposable. For more details visit www.bmplastics.com.au.

The Leading Plastic Fabricators in the UK

The Leading Plastic Fabricators in the UK

Talbot Designs is the leading plastic fabricator in the UK, and capable of producing a huge range of bespoke and custom designed vacuum moulding, plastic fabrication, signage and acrylic domes for any size of business or specific requirement. Such is their reputation throughout the world they were entrusted with producing acrylics for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN – the most expensive and high profile experiment in scientific history

Upon consultation with the client Talbot Designs are able to establish a thorough specification for the project and incorporating the client’s designs, concepts and criteria. From this specification the plastic fabricators create the article exactly to the client’s need and surpass expectation in terms of quality of materials and workmanship.

The highly experienced team of plastic fabricators are used to difficult and challenging plastic fabrication projects with tight deadlines, which is why Talbot Designs have developed such a loyal client base, returning again and again to take advantage of the superior craftsmanship and service that they provide.

There are various applications for plastic fabrication. Fabricated plastic can be utilised in any number of ways, from creating stylish store displays to custom designed furniture and lighting, in fact the possibilities really are limitless. If you can imagine a plastic product, chances are that the team of plastic fabricators will recreate this vision perfectly and exceed all of your expectations. The highly experienced team of plastic fabricators has been commissioned in the past to create articles for a wide range of distinguished companies, including the BBC, Sony, the Copenhagen Royal Theatre and Harrods.

If you need plastic fabrication services for any purpose, Talbot Designs is the perfect choice. Get in touch with them today stating your requirements – the results will have to be seen to be believed.