Among the high-grade thermoplastic materials you can use in your CNC machining operations in 2024, POM plastic might be one to consider. POM plastic gives you material properties that are suitable for the production of parts and components with exceptional levels of sturdiness and durability. It is perfect for making enclosures and frames, as well as many other uses in different industries.
Exceptional Benefits of POM Plastic Material
POM plastic is among the sturdiest and highest-quality plastic materials you can use for CNC machining in 2024. This special thermoplastic material has various exceptional benefits that give more advantages to the parts and components you produce with it. Moreover, POM plastic material is suitable for use in a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics to automotive industries. Here are the exceptional benefits of POM plastic material:
Strength and sturdiness, with impact resistance
POM plastic material can provide you with high-strength characteristics, which makes this material very sturdy. You can use the POM plastic material to create products that require a high level of sturdiness, such as enclosures and frames. Also, you will benefit from the impact resistance of POM plastic material, making your part or component not easily damaged during daily use.
Thermal and electrical insulation
POM plastic can also insulate both the electrical currents and high temperatures. It means that you can use this exceptional plastic material as an enclosure for electrical circuitries or components that are always exposed to high temperatures. The thermal and electrical insulation properties of POM plastic material can help maintain the overall component safe from any overheating and short-circuiting.
Resistance to creep and moisture
The high level of sturdiness of the POM plastic material makes it one of the best plastic materials to use to withstand various types of stress. You can use POM plastic to create components and parts that don’t easily get damaged or cracked. The creep resistance feature of this material can keep your products sturdy for a long time. Also, POM plastic has moisture resistance, making it suitable for use in damp and moist environmental conditions.
No lubrication is required during CNC machining.
The good thing about POM plastic material is that you don’t need to apply any lubrication during the CNC machining process(CNC milling and CNC turning). This material’s body is quite slippery, making it highly machinable using CNC processes. You don’t need to apply any additional lubrication just to make this material easier to machine.
Excellent dimensional stability
Another feature of POM plastic is that it also has excellent dimensional stability due to its sturdiness factor. This plastic material is not easily deformed or damaged, even during high impact. So, to create high-quality components that last a lifetime, POM plastic can be your material to rely on.
Processing the POM Plastic Material in 2024
With its high level of strength, hardness, and sturdiness, you might need some additional steps to machine the POM plastic material. However, the overall machining process for POM plastic will be more or less the same as machining any other plastic materials. Here are some guides on processing the POM plastic material in 2024:
POM plastic is compatible with various CNC machining processes
You can use POM plastic material in a wide range of CNC machining operations, including milling, drilling, turning, and more. You will need to adjust the POM plastic material for each machining process. In some cases, using specialized machining or cutting tools for the POM plastic material is necessary, depending on the POM plastic grade.
Begin with creating the CAD file design of your component.
What component or part would you like to create with the POM plastic material? Begin to formulate your own design using the CAD software for the CNC machining operations. Then, the design data is sent to the CNC machine equipment to prepare for the process of machining the POM plastic material for rapid prototyping and low volume manufacturing services.
Placing the POM plastic workpiece into the CNC machine
After the design is ready and set up for the machining equipment, you will need to prepare the POM plastic workpiece to be placed in the designated machining area. The POM material workpiece needs to be fitted for the machining area for it to work properly. Adjust the tools you need to use for the POM machining operation since the CNC machine might need some special tools to deal with the hardness of the POM plastic material.
CNC machine maintenance
It is important to maintain the CNC machining equipment well during the machining process of POM plastic material. POM plastic can leave a lot of residue that can clog the machining equipment and disturb its normal work. By performing regular CNC machining equipment maintenance, you can minimize the instances of any issues happening during the POM plastic machining process.
Avoiding problems with the POM plastic material
Machining the POM plastic material can sometimes lead to problems during the machining operation. Lower-grade POM plastic can become deformed when you put too much stress during the CNC machining process. You need to adjust the machining configuration so as not to cause high-stress levels on the POM plastic material to avoid any production issues.
Important Things to Keep in Mind When Processing POM Plastic with CNC Machining In 2024
● In order to get the best results in POM plastic processing, it's better for you to use the higher grade POM plastic material.
● Do not overheat the POM plastic material before, during, or after the machining operation, as it can cause partial deformation or subtle cracks inside the material body.
● Performing the annealing treatment on the POM plastic material can help release the stress inside the material body and avoid any bad issues during the machining process.
● Keep in mind the elasticity of the POM plastic material and configure your machining equipment to adapt to it.
Conclusion
POM plastic is a highly sturdy material that you can use in your CNC machining process in 2024. It can be applied in various industries to produce various parts and components of various sizes. Its sturdiness can also help make the components you create have much better durability for long-term use. Follow the processing guidelines for POM plastic, as explained in this guide, to ensure the best result in your CNC machining operation. Contact TEAM MFG today to request a free quote now!
