Advantages of CNC Machining for Plastic Parts
- A uniform finish – Each part is cut from solid engineered plastic stock, which gives a uniform finish across low- to mid-quantity runs.
- Dependable repeatability – CNC control is ideal for extremely tight tolerances and strict specification requirements, part after part.
- No tooling to pay off – Machining skips custom tooling, so it fits prototypes and low-volume parts where a mold can’t be justified.
- Room for detail – CNC machining handles engineered plastics and detailed geometries.
Engineered Plastics We Machine
- UHMW-PE
- Acetal (Delrin®)
- Nylon
- Polyurethane
- Phenolic
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
- Polypropylene
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- ABS
- PEEK
- Ultem
- PVC
- PET
- Teflon® (PTFE)
- Rubbers and elastomers
Our CNC Equipment
Inside our 45,000-square-foot facility, you’ll find CNC mills, lathes, and routers, along with precise cutting, drilling, welding, bending, and forming equipment.
CNC Department
HAAS ST35Y (TURNING CENTER WITH LIVE TOOLING)
HAAS SL30 (TURNING CENTER)
HAAS VF-4 (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS VFX-3 (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS VF-3SSYT (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS VF-3SSYT WITH 5TH AXIS TRUNNION (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS TRM (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
Routers Department
HAAS GR-510 (VERTICAL CNC ROUTER)
HAAS GR-512 (VERTICAL CNC ROUTER)
HAAS GR-712 (VERTICAL CNC ROUTER)
Turning Centers
HAAS SL-30T
HAAS ST-35Y
Production CNC’s
HAAS TM1
HAAS VF-3SSYT
HAAS VF-3SSYT with 5th axis trunnion
HAAS VF-3YT
HAAS VF-4
Machine Department
HAAS TL-2 (TURNING CENTER)
Tool Room
HAAS VF-6 (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS VM-3 (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
HAAS VF-2 (VERTICAL CNC MILL)
Take a look inside our Missoula machine shop and see our 5th Axis CNC Mill complete multiple operations in one setup.
Check out our CNC router at work and how our two 510s and 712 bed size machines turn out parts efficiently.
Benefits of Machining With DPI
- One shop, more than one process.
Machining, fabrication, injection molding, and polyurethane casting all run under one roof, so we can put the right material and process behind each part, and combine them in a single part, depending on your volume, geometry, and budget requirements. - Experienced people on advanced equipment.
Our highly trained, experienced professionals know how to use our advanced, computer-aided equipment to meet your exact specifications, regardless of high or low tolerances. - Engineering help before the first cut.
Our in-house engineers will determine part design, material selection, design for manufacturability, and prototype tooling.
In-House Capabilities Beyond the CNC Floor
Precise cutting, drilling, welding, bending, and forming equipment sits alongside the CNC machines.
- Manual machining – Manual mills and lathes, sawing, planing, and broaching round out the CNC work.
- Shop tools – Saws, drill presses, routers, and hydraulic presses are on the floor, along with key seaters, an iron worker, steel welding, and a de-burring tumbler.
- A cross-trained team in 3-D software – Our team is cross-trained on all processes and works in advanced 3-D software including SolidWorks and Mastercam. verify!
- Combined processes – Machined features can be paired with fabricated, injection molded, or cast sections in a single part.
- Secondary operations – Vapor polishing, installing inserts, bonding plastic to steel, welding, gluing, and forming are performed in our Missoula, MT facility.
CNC Machining FAQs
Yes. Because DPI machines and molds in the same facility, a part can start as a machined prototype and move to injection molded production as quantities grow. Curbell Plastics, a DPI customer, points to this conversion from prototype machined parts to molded production runs. Share your expected volumes early and we can plan the transition with you.
Start with what the part has to do. We weigh design, impact resistance, wear resistance, and viscoelasticity alongside your production and cost goals, and we work with an extensive network of suppliers when a project needs help finding the right material.
Yes. On injection molded UHMW parts, we can mold close to final size and then use our in-house CNC machining to finish the dimensions that need extra precision. Customers also have us finish-machine large near-net-shape cast nylon parts as a secondary operation.
Our CNC vertical mills work to 50″ x 26″ x 25″, our CNC lathe turns parts up to 34″ OD with a 2.5″ bore, and our gantry routers cover up to 7′ x 12′.
Have our team look at it. DPI offers no-cost facility and site visits to assess current parts and offer plastic conversion opportunities, weighing abrasion resistance, load-bearing needs, and operating environment.
For 50 years, DPI has helped customers solve challenging plastic component requirements, from a single machined prototype to production runs in the thousands. Whether your application calls for precision tolerances, wear resistance, or a specialty material, our engineers will design a reliable, durable part. Call 1-800-321-0084
Book a Free Facility Visit
Need Support?
When you know what you are looking for or want to start with an idea, we are ready to help. Please reach out and we will start you on your path to plastic solution success!
