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CNC machining produces parts with excellent mechanical properties, accuracy and repeatability from metal and plastic. 3-axis & 5-axis CNC milling available.
Excellent mechanical properties,High accuracy & repeatabillity
Greater geometry restrictions than 3D printing
| Price | $ |
|---|---|
| Lead Time | < 10 days |
| Wall Thickness | 0.75 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.125mm (±0.005″) |
| Max Part Size | 200 x 80 x 100 cm |
A strong, tough polymer with excellent wear resistance.
Glass-reinforced nylon has higher tensile strength and toughness.
Clarwe provides a wide range ofsurface finishes through its nylon machining service, designed to elevate the quality of each machined component. Each finish is specifically chosen to improve both the mechanical characteristics and the visual appeal of the nylon parts.
Nylon is a strong, durable, and versatile synthetic polymer commonly used inCNC machining for producing high-performance components. Due to its excellent mechanical properties, such as high tensile strength, wear resistance, and flexibility, nylon is suitable for a wide range of applications in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. When machining nylon, CNC routers, mills, and lathes are often used to cut, drill, and shape the material. It is known for its ability to maintain high performance even under high-stress conditions, making it an ideal material for gears, bearings, and other moving parts.
However, machining nylon requires attention to specific considerations. Due to its tendency to absorb moisture, nylon can expand or contract depending on environmental conditions, which can affect the precision of machined parts. Additionally, because nylon is a relatively soft material compared to metals, care must be taken to use sharp tools and appropriate feed rates to avoid excessive wear on cutting tools. Maintaining a proper cooling system is essential, as overheating may cause distortion or an unsatisfactory finish. When processed with the correct parameters, nylon can be easily machined into high-quality components with excellent durability and wear resistance.
CNC machining processes for nylon generally involve cutting, milling, drilling, and turning, which can be done with standard CNC equipment. In cutting, CNC routers and mills are used to shape nylon into the required size and geometry. The relatively low melting point of nylon means that machining parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate, and tool selection must be carefully controlled to prevent excessive heat generation, which can lead to warping or material degradation.CNC Milling operations are frequently employed to produce more complex shapes and features, such as grooves or contours, with carbide tools being preferred to minimize wear and ensure a precise finish.
Drilling and turning are also commonly used in machining nylon. Drilling is typically performed to create accurate holes for fastening or assembly purposes, while turning is used to machine cylindrical parts such as bushings or shafts. To maintain the integrity of the nylon, CNC operations should be performed with sharp tools and at moderate speeds, with cooling systems like air or mist cooling used to manage heat buildup. By properly adjusting machining parameters, nylon parts can be fabricated with high precision, making them suitable for various applications requiring strength, wear resistance, and durability.
Post-processing of nylon is necessary to improve surface finish and meet specific application requirements. One common post-process is sanding, which helps to smooth out rough edges and surface imperfections left by machining. Sanding is typically done with progressively finer grit sandpapers to ensure a smooth and even surface. After sanding, parts may undergo polishing to enhance the appearance and create a smoother finish. Polishing can also help reduce friction, which is beneficial for components like bearings and gears that experience moving contact.
In addition to sanding and polishing, nylon parts may need to be assembled or joined. Nylon can be bonded using adhesives designed for thermoplastics, and heat welding may also be employed for joining larger parts. For applications requiring enhanced mechanical properties, nylon parts may be coated with protective layers to further improve wear resistance and reduce friction. These post-processing steps are essential to ensure that the final nylon components meet performance and aesthetic standards for a wide range of applications.
High Strength: Nylon has excellent tensile strength, making CNC machined parts strong and durable, suitable for demanding applications.
Wear Resistance: It offers excellent resistance to wear and abrasion, making it ideal for parts that experience friction, like gears and bearings.
Chemical Resistance: CNC machined nylon is resistant to many chemicals, oils, and solvents, making it suitable for use in harsh environments.
Lightweight: Nylon is lightweight compared to metals, reducing overall weight in applications without compromising on strength.
Low Friction: Its low coefficient of friction makes it ideal for moving parts, reducing wear and enhancing the performance of components like bushings and bearings.
Good Machinability: Nylon is easy to machine with standard CNC equipment, enabling high precision and cost-effective production of complex parts.
Impact Resistance: CNC machined nylon exhibits good resistance to impact, making it durable even under tough working conditions.
Thermal Stability: Nylon can withstand moderate temperatures, maintaining its strength and functionality in various environments.
Gears and Bearings: Used for producing durable and low-friction gears and bearings that require wear resistance and smooth operation.
Automotive Parts: Applied in the production of components such as bushings, washers, and fuel system parts due to its strength and chemical resistance.
Industrial Machinery: Used in the manufacturing of conveyor components, pulleys, and sprockets where high wear resistance is needed.
Electrical Insulation: Nylon is used for electrical components like insulation bushings, connectors, and casings, thanks to its good electrical properties.
Medical Devices: CNC machined nylon is used in surgical instruments, medical equipment housings, and wear-resistant parts.
Marine Applications: Nylon is used for parts exposed to harsh conditions in marine environments, such as pulleys, rollers, and seals.
Textile Industry: Used for parts such as spools, rollers, and textile machinery components due to its wear resistance and strength.
Aerospace Components: Utilized for manufacturing non-critical, lightweight parts in aircraft and space applications, such as brackets and structural components.
The strongest types of nylon are typicallyNylon 6/6 and Nylon 6 (30% glass filled). Nylon 6/6 has a higher melting point, excellent strength and wear resistance, making it ideal for high-stress and high-temperature applications. Nylon 6 (30% glass filled) is reinforced with glass fibers, significantly improving its strength, stiffness and dimensional stability. Both are widely used in demanding industrial applications.
Nylon offers good resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including oils, greases and fuels. However, it can be affected by strong acids, alkalis and some solvents, which can degrade its mechanical properties. For better chemical resistance, certain nylon grades or blends may be used. It's important to assess the specific chemicals in the intended environment to ensure compatibility.
Moisture absorption can cause CNC-machined nylon parts to swell, leading to dimensional changes and potential warping. It can also weaken the material, reducing strength and stiffness. The added moisture can increase wear and decrease impact resistance. Drying the material before machining or using moisture-resistant grades can help mitigate these effects.