CNC
Computerized Numeric Control
Machining production technology for plastic and metal through 3d CAD/CAM programmed computer-controlled machines
TECHNIQUE
A major advantage of CNC technology is the fact that it can be used on a wide range of materials, both plastics and metals, provided they are available as bar material, in block, sheet or round bar form. This is in contrast to 3d printing technology with a limited selection of materials. In addition, it is a technique that can have short lead times and achieve highly accurate products.
For realization of plastic CNC milled prototypes and products we mostly use ABS plastic. This is a plastic with good mechanical properties and durability. It can also be machined very well and can be glued with solvent-based adhesives, effectively creating a one-piece product. For the realization of large parts or prototypes such as bicycle frames, covers, crates or pallets, it is advantageous, for cost reasons, to divide a product and glue it into sections with "mechanical interlocks" resulting in a sturdy product made of plastic that can be considered to be CNC-milled in one piece. By dividing workpieces, parts can also be realized that otherwise could not be CNC milled. Examples include parts with deep pockets or geometries that cannot be reached with a machining tool. Dividing allows larger parts to be realized affordably where 3d printing would cut corners or is simply not accurate or strong/durable enough.
After a primer and color coating, a product that is virtually indistinguishable from "real" can be obtained. Special finishes are also possible such as multi-color screen printing, EMC shielding coating, soft-touch finish or
Materials
Because of the wide choice of materials for CNC machining, in addition to the general plastics (such as HMPE/PP/ABS/POM/PA Nylon/PC), more special plastics come into the picture to apply for product or prototype because of specific properties. Think of food contact, temperature resistance, fire resistance, rigidity, chemical resistance etc. Or perhaps a combination of properties. Material examples are PA-GF30 (glass fiber filled Nylon), fire retarded ABS (UL94-V0), Teflon (PTFE), Noryl (PPO), PPS, PSU/PES or PEEK.
As a prototyping company, we have many of these materials in stock as rod or plate to get started quickly.
Although our main focus as prototypers is on plastics, there is at least as wide a range of metals or exotics available for CNC machining. From copper, brass or aluminum to (hardened) steel or titanium. We can also provide finishes such as (powder) coating, anodizing, blackening, galvanizing or grinding/polishing.