Transform Your Design Into Precision Reality
Custom plastic machining with Swiss precision
CNC Plastic Turning Services
Precision CNC Plastic Turning & Lathe Machining Services
Custom Turned Plastic Parts from PEEK, Delrin, Nylon, PTFE & 20+ Engineering Plastics | Swiss Machining | Live Tooling | No Minimum Order
At BeePlastic, CNC plastic turning is more than subtractive machining—it's a precision science optimized for engineering plastics. While many machine shops apply metal-working strategies to polymers, we operate a dedicated facility focused exclusively on plastic lathe machining. From micro-turned Swiss parts for medical devices to large-diameter industrial bushings and sleeves, our process handles the unique thermal and mechanical properties of plastic materials.
We combine state-of-the-art CNC turning centers with 15+ years of material expertise to solve your toughest challenges: achieving optical clarity without polishing, holding micron-level tolerances on soft materials, and producing precision turned components for aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and industrial applications.
Advanced CMM inspection ensures every turned plastic part meets ±0.03mm tolerance standards
Our CNC Turning Capabilities: Beyond Standard Plastic Lathes
To deliver superior precision plastic turned parts, BeePlastic utilizes a tiered machining strategy based on part geometry, material properties, and production volume. Our CNC lathe services are optimized for engineering plastics including PEEK, Delrin (POM), Nylon, PTFE, UHMW-PE, Acrylic, Polycarbonate, and 15+ other high-performance polymers.
1. Swiss-Type CNC Turning
For components with high length-to-diameter ratios (long shafts, pins, connector needles), standard lathes cause plastic to deflect or "whip." Our Swiss-style CNC turning machines utilize guide bushings that support the stock material directly next to the cutting tool.
- Advantage: Zero deflection machining enables tolerances of ±0.01mm
- Ideal For: Medical implant components, precision connector pins, micro-nozzles
- Capacity: Parts under Ø32mm diameter with L/D ratios up to 20:1
- Materials: PEEK, Ultem (PEI), Torlon, Vespel, Delrin, Nylon
2. Live Tooling Mill-Turn Centers
Complex turned parts often require secondary milling features like hexagon flats, cross-holes, keyways, or off-center slots. Our CNC lathes with live tooling perform milling operations in the same setup as turning.
- Advantage: Single-setup machining significantly improves concentricity and reduces costs
- Eliminates: Part repositioning, multiple setups, tolerance stack-up
- Perfect For: Valve bodies, threaded adapters, custom fittings, complex housings
- Capacity: 4-axis and 5-axis turning centers with integrated milling spindles
3. Soft-Jaw & Vacuum Workholding
A common failure in plastic lathe machining is deformation caused by excessive clamping force. We manufacture custom soft jaws and specialized vacuum chucks for thin-walled and delicate parts.
- Advantage: Even force distribution prevents warping and maintains perfect roundness
- Critical For: Ring-shaped parts, thin-walled sleeves, flexible plastics
- Materials: PTFE seals, soft polyurethane, flexible Nylon, thin-wall PC tubes
- Result: Parts remain dimensionally accurate after chuck release
Precision PTFE & Soft Plastic Turning
PTFE (Teflon), UHMW-PE, and other soft plastics require specialized turning strategies. Our custom soft-jaw workholding and optimized cutting parameters prevent common issues like material deformation, stringy chips, and fuzzy burrs.
We utilize polymer-specific chip-breaker inserts and high-pressure air blast cooling to produce clean, precision turned PTFE seals, gaskets, valve seats, and chemical-resistant components for industrial applications.
- ✓ Chemical-resistant seals for corrosive environments
- ✓ Food-grade components meeting hygiene standards
- ✓ Low-friction bushings and bearing components
Material-Specific CNC Lathe Machining Strategies
Different engineering plastics behave differently under cutting tools. We don't just "machine" them—we optimize our precision plastic turning process for each material family. Our material expertise covers PEEK, Delrin (Acetal/POM), Nylon (PA), PTFE (Teflon), UHMW-PE, Polycarbonate, Acrylic (PMMA), ABS, HDPE, PP, PVC, PEI (Ultem), PPS, Torlon (PAI), and specialized composites.
Sample kit showcasing diverse precision turned plastic parts from engineering-grade materials
High-Performance Plastics
(PEEK, Ultem, Torlon, PEI)
Challenge: These expensive materials are heat-sensitive. Poor setups cause surface smearing or stress-cracking.
BeePlastic Strategy:
- Positive-rake diamond-coated cutting tools reduce cutting forces
- In-house annealing (stress relieving) after rough machining
- Process: Rough turn → Anneal → Finish turn to final dimensions
- Result: Parts won't warp during shipping or assembly
Optical & Transparent Plastics
(Acrylic/PMMA, Polycarbonate)
Challenge: Standard turning leaves cloudy, opaque finishes requiring expensive manual polishing.
BeePlastic Strategy:
- Single-point diamond turning with specialized coolants
- Achieves "as-machined" optical clarity (near-glass quality)
- Ra 0.1-0.4 μm surface finish possible
- Optional vapor polishing for mirror-like finishes
Soft & "Gummy" Plastics
(PTFE, UHMW-PE, PP, Soft Nylon)
Challenge: Generate long stringy chips (bird-nesting) and leave fuzzy burrs that compromise precision.
BeePlastic Strategy:
- Polymer-specific chip-breaker inserts
- High-pressure air blast chip evacuation
- Cryogenic cooling available to freeze materials into machinable state
- Custom tooling geometries for clean cutting
Self-Lubricating Plastics
(Delrin/POM, Oil-Filled Nylon)
Material Properties: Delrin (Acetal/POM) and oil-filled Nylon offer excellent dimensional stability, low friction coefficient, and high wear resistance—ideal for turned bearing components.
BeePlastic Strategy:
- Optimized cutting speeds prevent material heating
- Achieve superior surface finishes (Ra 0.8 μm standard)
- Tight concentricity for rotating applications
- Cost-effective alternative to metal bushings
Fiber-Reinforced Composites
(Glass-Filled Nylon, PEEK-GF30, FR-4)
Challenge: Glass or carbon fibers rapidly dull standard steel cutting tools and cause fiber pull-out on surfaces.
BeePlastic Strategy:
- Switch to PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) tooling
- Maintains sharp cutting edge through thousands of parts
- Prevents fiber pull-out for smooth surface finishes
- Consistent dimensions throughout production runs
Advanced Live Tooling for Complex Geometries
Our CNC mill-turn centers with live tooling combine the efficiency of lathe turning with the versatility of milling in a single setup. This advanced capability enables us to produce complex plastic turned parts with milled flats, cross-holes, keyways, and off-axis features without secondary operations.
Key advantages: Perfect concentricity, reduced production time, lower costs, and tighter geometric tolerances. Ideal for custom valve bodies, threaded adapters, hex-head fittings, and complex mechanical assemblies.
- ✓ 4-axis and 5-axis turning centers available
- ✓ Cross-drilling, milling flats, and slot cutting
- ✓ Single-setup complete part production
Technical Specifications & Tolerance Standards
BeePlastic's precision CNC plastic turning services meet the stringent demands of aerospace, medical device, automotive, and industrial applications. Our lathe machining capabilities deliver consistent quality from prototype to production volumes with no minimum order quantity requirements.
| Specification | Capability & Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Tolerance | ±0.05mm (±0.002") - ISO 2768-m compliant for general engineering applications |
| Precision Tolerance | ±0.03mm (±0.0012") - Standard across all operations ±0.02mm (±0.0008") - Available for high-stability materials (PEEK, Delrin, FR-4) ±0.01mm (±0.0004") - Swiss-type turning for micro components |
| Turning Diameter Range |
Minimum: Ø2mm (micro turning / Swiss machining) Maximum: Ø350mm (large industrial bushings and sleeves) Through-Spindle: Up to Ø50mm for bar-fed operations |
| Maximum Part Length | Standard: 800mm | Swiss Machining: 300mm with L/D ratios up to 20:1 |
| Surface Finish (Ra) |
Standard Turn: Ra 1.6 μm (63 μin) Fine Turn: Ra 0.8 μm (32 μin) Diamond Turn: Ra 0.4 μm (optical-grade for clear plastics) Vapor Polished: Ra 0.1-0.2 μm (mirror finish) |
| Threading Capabilities | Internal & External threads: Metric (M2-M100), Unified (UNC/UNF), Custom pitch Thread tolerances: 6H/6g standard, tighter tolerances available |
| Concentricity & Roundness | Concentricity: ±0.02mm | Roundness: ±0.01mm Critical for bearing components, precision shafts, rotating assemblies |
| Production Volume |
Prototypes: 1-10 parts (rapid turnaround) Low Volume: 10-100 parts Production Runs: 100-10,000+ parts No Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) |
| Lead Time |
Quoting: 24 hours Standard Production: 5-10 business days Expedited Service: 2-3 days available (additional fees apply) |
| Quality Assurance | CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) inspection Optical vision systems (non-contact measurement) Surface roughness testing | First Article Inspection (FAI) reports Climate-controlled inspection room (20°C ±2°C) |
| File Formats Accepted | STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs, .iges), Parasolid (.x_t, .x_b), STL, SOLIDWORKS, PDF drawings |
📧 Contact for Custom Requirements: Need tighter tolerances, special surface treatments, or unique material specifications? Email us at beeplastic@beeplastic.com with your CAD files and project details for a comprehensive engineering review.
Turned Plastic Parts We Manufacture
Our custom plastic lathe services produce a wide range of precision cylindrical components for diverse industries. From miniature medical device parts to large industrial bushings, we deliver turned plastic parts with consistent quality and competitive pricing.
Bushings & Bearings
- Flanged bushings & sleeve bearings
- Self-lubricating Delrin bushings
- PTFE chemical-resistant bushings
- Split bushings & bearing inserts
- Thrust washers & wear plates
- Nylon oil-filled bearing components
Shafts & Pins
- Precision shafts (stepped, tapered)
- Connector pins & contact pins
- Dowel pins & alignment pins
- Drive shafts & transmission components
- Medical device guidewires
- Swiss-machined micro pins
Sleeves & Spacers
- Protective shaft sleeves
- Insulating sleeves (electrical)
- Precision spacers & standoffs
- Telescoping sleeves
- Thread protectors
- Cable management sleeves
Seals & Gaskets
- PTFE valve seats & back-up rings
- O-ring grooves (precision dimensions)
- Custom sealing components
- Piston rings & seal carriers
- Chemical-resistant seals
- High-purity PEEK seals
Threaded Components
- Threaded adapters & fittings
- Internal & external threads
- Thread inserts & bushings
- Custom thread profiles
- Coupling nuts & connectors
- Medical threaded assemblies
Complex Turned Parts
- Valve bodies with internal features
- Multi-diameter housings
- Nozzles & flow control devices
- Precision rollers & pulleys
- Custom fittings & adapters
- Prototypes & one-off parts
Precision Threading for Plastic Components
Our CNC turning centers produce precision internal and external threads on engineering plastics with exceptional accuracy. We cut Metric (M2-M100), Unified (UNC/UNF), and custom pitch threads to exact specifications.
Thread capabilities include: Single-point thread cutting, thread milling for large diameters, multi-start threads, Acme and trapezoidal threads, and custom profiles. Perfect for threaded adapters, valve fittings, medical device assemblies, and precision fasteners.
Design Tip: Plastic threads are not as strong as metal. For parts requiring frequent assembly/disassembly, consider using threaded metal inserts (which we can install via heat staking) instead of machining threads directly into the plastic.
Compatible Engineering Plastics & Material Selection
Our plastic CNC lathe machining services work with 20+ engineering-grade polymers. Each material offers unique properties for specific applications—from high-temperature PEEK for aerospace to self-lubricating Delrin for bearings to chemical-resistant PTFE for industrial seals.
Select Your Material for CNC Turning
Click any material to learn about its properties, applications, and machinability characteristics
Delrin / POM Turning
Self-lubricating, low friction, precision bushings & gears
View Delrin Details →Need help selecting the right material? Our engineering team provides free material consultation based on your application requirements.
Get Material Recommendations →
High-speed precision CNC turning in action—sharp tooling and optimized parameters ensure clean cuts and superior surface finishes
Industry Applications for Turned Plastic Components
Our custom plastic turning services serve demanding industries worldwide. From life-critical medical devices to high-performance aerospace components, BeePlastic delivers precision lathe-machined parts that meet or exceed industry standards.
🏥 Medical Device Manufacturing
We machine dimensionally stable plastic components compatible with sterilization methods (steam autoclaving, EtO, gamma radiation) for non-implantable medical devices and laboratory equipment.
- Surgical instrument handles & guides
- Orthopedic trial implants & spacers
- Diagnostic equipment components
- Fluid handling manifolds & valves
- Custom labware & test fixtures
- Precision connector pins for devices
Materials: PEEK, Delrin/POM, PPS, UHMW-PE
✈️ Aerospace & Aviation
Lightweight, high-strength turned components providing superior performance-to-weight ratios for aircraft interiors, structural elements, and critical systems.
- Bushings & bearing assemblies
- Insulating spacers & standoffs
- Cable management sleeves
- Lightweight structural components
- Interior trim fasteners
- Vibration-dampening bushings
Materials: PEEK, Torlon/PAI, PEI/Ultem, FR-4
🚗 Automotive & Transportation
Durable plastic turned parts for engine compartments, transmissions, and interior systems—offering weight reduction and corrosion resistance vs. metal alternatives.
- Engine bushings & spacers
- Transmission components & gears
- Fuel system seals & valve seats
- Suspension bushings (wear-resistant)
- Dashboard & interior fasteners
- Sensor housings & brackets
Materials: Nylon/PA, Delrin/POM, ABS, Polycarbonate
🔌 Electronics & Electrical
Precision insulators and non-conductive components for EV batteries, high-voltage systems, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- EV battery pack insulators
- High-voltage connector components
- Semiconductor test sockets
- Wafer handling parts
- Electrical standoffs & bushings
- Cable glands & strain reliefs
🏭 Industrial Machinery & OEM
Custom replacement parts and direct-fit components for industrial equipment—reducing downtime and extending machinery life with durable plastic alternatives to metal.
- Wear pads & strips (UHMW)
- High-load bushings & sleeves
- Power transmission gears & rollers
- Equipment housings & covers
- Fluid system manifolds & fittings
- Custom machinery components
⚗️ Chemical Processing & Lab Equipment
Advanced polymers with outstanding resistance to aggressive chemicals, acids, and bases across wide temperature ranges for corrosive industrial environments.
- Chemical-resistant gaskets & seals
- Pump housings & valve bodies
- Impellers & bearing cages
- Tank liners & fittings
- Laboratory equipment components
- Flow control devices & nozzles
Materials: PTFE/Teflon, PP, PVC, PPS, PEEK
🍔 Food Processing & Packaging
Food-safe turned components for processing, packaging, and bottling lines—wear-resistant, low-friction, and easy to clean while withstanding CIP/SIP sanitization.
- Chain guides & star wheels
- Conveyor bushings & rollers
- Scraper blades & wear strips
- Gears & drive components
- Nozzles & manifolds
- Food-safe cutting boards & guides
🔧 Hydraulics & Pneumatics
Precision seals, valve components, and fluid control parts engineered for high-pressure hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Hydraulic seals & back-up rings
- Pneumatic valve seats
- Piston rings & seal carriers
- Cylinder bushings & sleeves
- Connector fittings & adapters
- Pressure-rated housings
Materials: PTFE, PEEK, POM/Delrin, Nylon
See How We've Solved Complex Challenges for Clients Worldwide
View Case Studies & Success Stories →Optical-Grade Turning for Transparent Plastics
Achieving optical clarity on turned plastic parts requires specialized techniques. Our single-point diamond turning process creates near-glass surface finishes on Acrylic (PMMA) and Polycarbonate without post-polishing.
This advanced capability is essential for light guides, optical lenses, display components, clear medical device housings, and high-end visual products. We can achieve surface finishes down to Ra 0.1-0.4 μm, with optional vapor polishing for mirror-like transparency.
- ✓ As-machined optical clarity (eliminates polishing costs)
- ✓ Precise dimensional control for optical assemblies
- ✓ UV-resistant materials for outdoor applications
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Guidelines
Optimize your turned plastic parts for cost-effectiveness and superior quality. Following these design guidelines for CNC plastic lathe machining reduces production costs, improves part quality, and accelerates delivery times.
Wall Thickness Recommendations
Challenge: Extremely thin walls on deep tubular parts can deflect inward during turning, causing vibration (chatter) and dimensional inaccuracy.
Best Practice: Maintain a minimum wall thickness of 0.5mm for small parts (Ø < 20mm) and 1.0mm+ for larger diameters. For thin-walled precision parts, specify if soft-jaw or vacuum workholding is required.
Benefit: Prevents tool chatter, maintains concentricity, enables tighter tolerances
Internal Corner Radii
Challenge: Turning tools have a nose radius (typically 0.4-0.8mm). Sharp internal corners require specialized, fragile tools that increase cost and reduce tool life.
Best Practice: Allow a minimum radius of 0.4mm in internal corners. For stress-critical applications, larger radii (0.8-1.0mm) reduce stress concentration and improve part strength.
Benefit: Longer tool life, faster production, reduced stress concentration
Length-to-Diameter (L/D) Ratio
Challenge: Long, slender parts deflect during machining, leading to tapered diameters and poor surface finish.
Best Practice: For standard turning, keep unsupported stick-out under 4:1 L/D ratio. For long shafts with L/D > 10:1, specify Swiss machining with guide bushing support to eliminate deflection.
Benefit: Straight parts, consistent diameters, ±0.01mm tolerance capability on long parts
Thread Design Considerations
Challenge: Plastic threads are not as strong as metal threads and can strip under repeated assembly cycles.
Best Practice: For parts requiring frequent assembly/disassembly, use threaded metal inserts (brass, stainless steel) installed via heat-staking or ultrasonic insertion. We can install inserts as part of our turnkey assembly services. For permanent threads, specify coarse pitch (larger thread profile) for greater strength.
Benefit: Extended part life, prevents thread stripping, enables metal-to-metal torque specifications
Surface Finish Specifications
Challenge: Overly tight surface finish requirements increase costs without functional benefit.
Best Practice: Specify Ra 1.6 μm for general applications. Request Ra 0.8 μm only for sealing surfaces, bearing surfaces, or optical components. Diamond turning (Ra 0.4 μm) is available for clear plastics requiring optical clarity.
Benefit: Balanced cost and performance, faster production, appropriate finish for application
Tolerance Optimization
Challenge: Specifying tighter tolerances than necessary increases cost and lead time.
Best Practice: Use ±0.05mm as default for non-critical features. Specify ±0.03mm only for mating surfaces, press-fits, or precision assemblies. Reserve ±0.02mm for critical functional dimensions on high-stability materials (PEEK, Delrin, FR-4).
Benefit: Cost reduction of 20-40%, faster delivery, maintained functionality
Material Selection for Turning
Challenge: Not all plastics turn equally well. Some are "gummy" and difficult to machine cleanly.
Best Practice: For self-lubricating bearing applications, choose Delrin/POM or oil-filled Nylon. For chemical resistance, specify PTFE or PEEK. For cost-effective structural parts, use Nylon or ABS.
Benefit: Optimal machinability, appropriate performance, competitive pricing
Quantity Considerations
Challenge: First-time setup costs affect per-part pricing on low quantities.
Best Practice: We have no minimum order quantity, but per-part costs decrease significantly at quantities of 25+. For prototypes (1-5 parts), consider simplified features. For production runs (100+), complex features become more cost-effective.
Benefit: Flexible ordering, optimized pricing, scalable from prototype to production
Need Design Assistance or DFM Review?
Our engineering team provides complimentary design-for-manufacturability (DFM) analysis to optimize your parts for production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Upload CAD for Free DFM Review →Quality Control & Inspection for Turned Plastic Parts
Measuring soft plastic components requires specialized non-contact techniques. BeePlastic uses advanced metrology systems in a climate-controlled environment to ensure every CNC turned plastic part meets your exact specifications.
Non-Contact Measurement
High-resolution optical vision systems measure dimensions without touching parts, preventing deformation of soft plastics. CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) with soft touch probes for critical features.
Climate-Controlled Inspection
All final inspections occur in a temperature and humidity controlled room (20°C ±2°C, 45-55% RH) to account for thermal expansion and moisture absorption. Parts are stabilized before measurement.
Inspection Documentation
First Article Inspection (FAI) reports provided upon request, detailing actual measurements of critical features. Full dimensional reports with material certifications available for medical and aerospace applications.
Surface Roughness Testing
Portable surface roughness testers verify Ra values on sealing surfaces, bearing surfaces, and optical components. Ensures functional performance and assembly compatibility.
Concentricity & Roundness
Specialized metrology for cylindrical features: concentricity measurement for multi-diameter parts, roundness testing for bearing components, perpendicularity checks for critical faces.
In-Process Inspection
Statistical Process Control (SPC) during production runs maintains consistency. First-piece inspection before full run, in-process checks at regular intervals, 100% visual inspection of all parts.
Our CNC Plastic Turning Process: From CAD to Delivery
Upload CAD Files & Submit RFQ
Send your 3D CAD files (STEP, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, STL) or 2D drawings (PDF) through our secure quote form. Include material preferences, quantity, surface finish requirements, and delivery timeline. Our system accepts files up to 50MB.
Engineering Review & DFM Analysis
Within 24 hours, our engineering team reviews your design for manufacturability. We identify potential issues (thin walls, tight tolerances, material suitability) and provide optimization recommendations to reduce cost and improve quality. Free DFM consultation included.
Detailed Quotation & Lead Time
Receive a comprehensive quote including: per-part pricing at different quantities, material costs, surface finishing options, shipping estimates (free standard shipping to eligible regions), and production lead time. Clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Order Confirmation & Production Planning
Once approved, we schedule your job in our production queue. For critical projects, expedited 2-3 day service available. We send order confirmation with projected completion date and tracking information.
Precision CNC Turning Production
Your parts are machined on our Swiss-type lathes, mill-turn centers, or standard CNC turning machines based on geometry and tolerances. Our machinists specialize in engineering plastics and apply material-specific cutting strategies for optimal results.
Quality Inspection & Documentation
Every batch undergoes rigorous inspection: first-piece approval, in-process checks, final dimensional verification using CMM and optical systems. First Article Inspection (FAI) reports provided upon request. Parts are cleaned and prepared for shipment.
Secure Packaging & Global Shipping
Parts are carefully packaged to prevent damage during transit. We offer free standard shipping to eligible countries (USA, Europe, Australia) and expedited options for urgent projects. Full tracking information provided. Customs documentation included for international orders.
Related Plastic Fabrication Services
Looking for other custom plastic manufacturing capabilities? BeePlastic offers comprehensive plastic fabrication services to meet all your engineering needs—from prototyping to full-scale production.
CNC Milling
3-5 axis CNC milling for complex non-cylindrical plastic parts and assemblies
Laser Cutting
Precision CO2 laser cutting for acrylic, polycarbonate, and thin plastics
Cut-to-Size
Custom cutting of plastic sheets and rods to your exact dimensions
Injection Molding
High-volume plastic molding for production quantities
Plastic Bending
Thermoforming and heat bending for custom shapes
Plastic Welding
Hot gas, extrusion, and ultrasonic welding services
Plastic Materials
Browse 20+ engineering plastics: sheets, rods, tubes
Material Guide
Complete material selection guide and properties database
Frequently Asked Questions: CNC Plastic Turning Services
Q: What is the difference between CNC turning and CNC milling for plastic parts?
A: CNC turning (lathe machining) rotates the plastic material while a stationary cutting tool removes material—ideal for cylindrical parts like bushings, shafts, sleeves, and tubes. CNC milling rotates the cutting tool while the material remains stationary—best for flat plates, complex 3D geometries, and non-cylindrical parts. For parts requiring both cylindrical and prismatic features, we use mill-turn centers with live tooling.
Q: What tolerances can you achieve on CNC turned plastic parts?
A: Our standard tolerance is ±0.03mm (±0.0012") across all operations. For high-stability materials like PEEK, Delrin, and FR-4, we can achieve ±0.02mm (±0.0008") on critical dimensions. Swiss-type turning offers ±0.01mm (±0.0004") on micro components. Tolerances depend on part geometry, material properties, and feature complexity.
Q: Which engineering plastics are best for CNC turning and bearing applications?
A: For self-lubricating bearings and bushings, Delrin (POM/Acetal) and oil-filled Nylon are excellent choices due to low friction and high wear resistance. PEEK offers superior performance at elevated temperatures. PTFE (Teflon) provides the lowest friction coefficient for chemical-resistant applications. UHMW-PE excels in high-wear, high-impact environments.
Q: What is Swiss-type CNC turning and when is it needed?
A: Swiss-type turning uses a guide bushing that supports the material close to the cutting tool, eliminating deflection on long, slender parts. It's essential for parts with length-to-diameter ratios exceeding 10:1, such as medical device pins, precision shafts, and connector components. Swiss machining achieves tolerances of ±0.01mm on parts that would be impossible to turn accurately on standard lathes.
Q: Can you machine threads on plastic turned parts?
A: Yes, we cut precision internal and external threads including Metric (M2-M100), Unified (UNC/UNF), NPT, and custom pitch threads. For parts requiring frequent assembly/disassembly, we recommend threaded metal inserts (brass, stainless steel) installed via heat-staking or ultrasonic insertion to prevent thread stripping. We can install inserts as part of our turnkey assembly services.
Q: What is your minimum order quantity for CNC turned plastic parts?
A: We have no minimum order quantity. We produce single prototypes through production runs of 10,000+ parts. While per-part costs decrease with quantity, we're committed to serving all project sizes from R&D prototypes to full-scale manufacturing.
Q: How long does it take to produce CNC turned plastic parts?
A: Standard lead time is 5-10 business days after order confirmation. Expedited 2-3 day service is available for urgent projects (additional fees apply). Simple parts in common materials may ship faster. Complex geometries, exotic materials, or large quantities may require additional time. We provide accurate lead times with every quote.
Q: Do you provide material certifications and inspection reports?
A: Yes, we provide material certifications (mill certs) and First Article Inspection (FAI) reports upon request. Our FAI reports include complete dimensional inspection data measured using CMM and optical systems. We can also provide material compliance documents for specific industry standards (RoHS, REACH, etc.).
Q: Can you turn optical-grade clear plastics like acrylic and polycarbonate?
A: Yes, we specialize in single-point diamond turning for acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate to achieve optical clarity without post-polishing. We can produce surface finishes down to Ra 0.1-0.4 μm. Optional vapor polishing creates mirror-like transparency for display components, light guides, and optical assemblies.
Q: What file formats do you accept for CNC turning quotes?
A: We accept STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs, .iges), Parasolid (.x_t), SOLIDWORKS (.sldprt), STL, and PDF technical drawings. 3D CAD files (STEP preferred) provide the most accurate quotes. For simple cylindrical parts, a dimensioned PDF drawing is sufficient.
Q: Do you offer free shipping for CNC turned plastic parts?
A: Yes, we provide free standard shipping to eligible regions including USA, Europe, and Australia for qualified orders. Expedited shipping options (2-3 day delivery) are available at additional cost. International orders include full customs documentation. Contact us for specific shipping rates to your location.
Q: Can you help with material selection for my CNC turning project?
A: Absolutely! Our engineering team provides complimentary material consultation based on your application requirements: operating temperature, chemical exposure, load-bearing needs, wear resistance, electrical properties, and regulatory compliance. We'll recommend the optimal engineering plastic to balance performance and cost-effectiveness.
Ready to Start Your CNC Plastic Turning Project?
Upload your CAD files today for a precision quote within 24 hours. Our engineering team is standing by to discuss your requirements and provide expert recommendations.
Get Your Free Quote Now →📧 Questions? Email us at beeplastic@beeplastic.com
⏱️ Average Response Time: Under 4 Hours | 🌍 Serving 50+ Countries Worldwide | ⭐ 15+ Years CNC Plastic Expertise
Explore Engineering Plastics for CNC Turning
Precision Plastic Parts We've Delivered
From transparent acrylic displays to precision gears, high-temp phenolic components to custom seals
——we machine any plastic, any complexity.
Custom Plastic Fabrication
1pc to 10,000+ | ±0.03mm | No MOQ
General
HDPE
PP
PVC
ABS
Engineering
POM
Nylon
PC
PMMA
High-Performance
PEEK
PEI
PTFE
Composites
FR-4
G10
Flexible
TPU
Silicone
Why Choose BeePlastic?
Get Quote in 24h
Industries: Automotive • Medical • Food • Lab • Semiconductor
Free consultation → beeplastic@beeplastic.com
24H QUOTE DELIVERY
Upload CAD, get quote in 24 hours
NO MOQ REQUIRED
From 1 prototype to high volume
±0.03MM PRECISION
Advanced CNC with full QC inspection
1000+ TONS STOCK
26+ materials ready to ship