CNC machining of plastic has been increasingly popular among industries for precise, strong, and complex prototypes and products. Among different materials, Nylon is a CNC plastic that combines strength, flexibility, durability, and dimensional stability.
CNC machine shops like ProleanTech use different grades of nylon to convert them into designed shapes with desired functionality and performance criteria. Multi-axis CNC mills, lathes, turn corners, drills, and other advanced equipment are used for this.
This article will take you through a detailed explanation of Nylon CNC machining, uncovering its properties, benefits, applications, and potential challenges during the machining.
Nylon As a CNC Machining Material
The engineering name of nylon is polyamide(PA), also known as machining Delrin® in the material market. Its molecular structure includes an amide group (–CONH–) and was invented in the 1930s.
This tough thermoplastic is a high-strength CNC material offering wear resistance, tensile strength, rigidity, chemical resistance, good thermal stability, and low friction coefficient.
Moreover, the low friction and dimensional stability make nylon CNC machinable. CNC machines can cut or shape it with standard plastic cutting tools and optimized machining variables.
| Property | Value | Description |
| Melt Point | 3240°F | This high melt point requires controlled cooling during CNC machining. |
| Thermal Conductivity | Low | It minimizes thermal deformation during machining. |
| Acid and Salt Resistance | High | Resistant to corrosion and fits for harsh environments. |
| Young Modulus | 3.5 Mpa | It allows precise machining without brittleness. |
| Ignition Point | 11000°F | It makes machining safe during high speeds. |
| Electrical Conductivity | Low | Non-conductive, ideal for electrical insulation parts. |
| Alkali Resistance | Alkali Proof | Suitable for chemical exposure applications. |
| Machining Speed | 300-600 SFM | Based on the complexity and size of the part to be machined |
CNC Machining Processes for Nylon
Nylon CNC Milling
CNC Milling, turning, drilling, and other machining processes are applicable to nylon materials. According to the features the design has, you can choose the appropriate methods for nylon machining.
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- Nylon CNC Milling: For complex profiles, contours, and features.
- Nylon CNC Turning: It is used for cylindrical and conical nylon items.
- Nylon CNC Drilling: This creates precise holes in the nylon workpiece.
- CNC Nylon Laser Cutting: To split nylon work material into multiple pieces and for shaping 3D items and patterns.
Advantages of Nylon Machined Parts in Industrial Applications
The following are the key benefits of using nylon CN machined parts in various industrial applications;
Strong and Lightweight
Nylon is relatively lightweight and has good mechanical strength compared with traditional metals (read comparison here: Metal vs Plastic). It helps to reduce the weight and enhance the efficiency of products or systems. This is especially beneficial in industries like automotive and aerospace.
Precision
Muti-axis CNC lathes and milling machines can achieve tolerances as low as ±0.0002″ (0.005mm) with the nylon parts. This is crucial for medical and other sensitive applications.
Corosssion and Wear Reistant
The CNC-machined nylon parts and products perform well under humid, corrosive, marine, and even some chemical exposure environments. Additionally, they are excellent in resisting surface wear and degradation.
Low Friction Coefficient of Surface
The low friction of machine nylon parts makes them suitable for movable or rotating applications. Additionally, they need minimal lubrication.
High Fatigue Resistance
Nylon-machined items retain the original flexibility and provide excellent fatigue resistance. They do not lose any properties under repetitive loads and last longer than other plastic materials.
Electrical Insulation
Nylon also has good insulative properties, even for high voltages. So, nylon CNC machining makes insulation components for consumer and industrial electrical products or systems.
CNC Machining PA (Polyamide): Why It’s a Popular Choice
There are different grades of Polyamide, each with a slightly different composition from the other and specialized for some particular application requirements. Nylon 6, 4/6, 6/6, 12, and 30% glass-filled are the key PA grades used for CNC machining. Although each grade has a slightly different machinability level, all of them are highly suitable.
Moreover, its high mechanical strength, durability, dimensional stability, versatility in applications, and ease of machining make polyamide (nylon) a popular choice for CNC machining.
Choosing the Ideal Nylon Grade for Your CNC Machining
Which nylon grade best fits CNC machining depends on the specifications of the product or part you want to machine, such as required strength, environmental condition, standard compliance, and performance requirements.
| Grades | Key Properties | Best Used For |
| Nylon 6 | High toughness, good abrasion resistance, low friction. | Components requiring wear resistance like gear and bushings. |
| Nylon 4/6 | Higher heat resistance (up to 180°C), excellent strength, and stiffness. | High-temperature applications under-the-hood parts for a car. |
| Nylon 6/6 | Superior strength, high melting point, and good chemical resistance. | Industrial & structural components requiring high durability. |
| Nylon 12 | Low moisture absorption, excellent impact resistance, and flexibility. | Automotive components and fluid systems. |
| 30% Glass-Filled | Enhanced stiffness, dimensional stability, and heat resistance. | Structural parts that require high rigidity. |
Key Applications of Nylon in Manufacturing
Nylon is a flexible material used for different purposes across industries. Meanwhile, the key manufacturing methods are CNC machining PA, nylon fabrication, and injection molding.
CNC-machined nylon parts
The table below outlines the industrial application of nylon;
| Industry | Key Applications |
| Industrial Parts | Gears, bearings, screws, bolts |
| Automotive | Engine components, tires, fuel tanks |
| Consumer Goods | Kitchen utensils, sporting goods |
| Packaging | Films, wraps, strapping |
| Electrical/Electronics | Insulation, cable ties, circuit boards |
| Medical | Surgical sutures, prosthetics |
| Aerospace | Aircraft components |
| Marine | Ropes, nets |
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Nylon Fabrication Techniques: CNC vs. Other Methods
Not only CNC machining, but machine shops also use other fabrication methods to shape nylon plastic: Injection molding, 3D printing, etc.
Nylon Injection Molding
Nylon injection molding parts
Injection molding is a high-volume fabrication method for nylon plastic. It requires a detailed injection mold, designed to meet the requirements of nylon products. This mold withstands millions of cycles and produces consistent products or components.
The raw nylon material( typically nylon 66) is melted and injected into a mold cavity at high pressure, where it flows and fills the cavity shape. Followed by this, the mold is cooled down to room temperature and opened to eject the solidified part.
Although it is cost-effective for mass production, it does not meet the customization and precision of Nylon CNC Machining. Additionally, there are some design limitations, such as thickness limit, curved radii, and draft angle.
Nylon 3D Printing
Nylon 3D printing prosthetic hands
3D printing is another rapid and widespread method in nylon fabrication. It involved adding successive nylon layers to create the desired item. You can use both filament and powder-based printing methods for nylon. Nylon has a high printing temperature ( ~ 50 °C) compared to other materials, and you need to make some special considerations while printing.
Based on CAD 3D models, 3D printers build the parts with minimal setup and tooling requirements. However, the 3D print nylon products are not as strong and structurally intact as CNC machining.
Challenges of Machining Nylon with CNC Technology
Plastic machining burr
Absorption of moisture, risk of thermal expansion, and surface finish issues are the key challenges in Nylon CNC machining.
- Moisture Absorption Properties of Nylon
Since nylon is a hygroscopic material, it can absorb the moisture from surroundings and lead to dimensional stability. To prevent this, dry the work material before machining.
- Heat Sensitivity
The melting point of nylon is 268.8 °C, which is relatively lower than many CNC plastics and metals. It can lead to material expansion and surface burning under high machining friction. Therefore, set the correct machining speeds and apply suitable coolant.
- Surface Finishing Issues
CNC machining of nylon sometimes causes burrs formations and rouge finish, requiring post-processing operations like sandblasting, grinding, and polishing.
- Material Variation
Nylon grade variations and formulations lead to inconsistencies in machining performance. So, use the correct parameters and tools according to your machining grade.
What Factors Affect the Quality of Nylon Machined Parts?
High-quality custom nylon part
The quality of machined nylon parts depends on many factors, from the machining equipment’s capability to the material’s quality. Process factors like parameters, operator expertise, and tool wear are also important.
The key factors are;
- The moisture content in NylonWorkpiece: Is it completely dry?
- Machining Strategy: is it single-pass or muti-pass machining?
- Cutting speed, feed rate, and depth.
- Clamping of the workpiece
- Post-machining treatment and quality inspection (CMM, Micrometer gauges, etc.)
If you are concerned about whether your parts will meet the desired quality, ensure you order from manufacturers with ISO quality certifications like ISO 9001:2015. At ProleanTech, We strictly follow inspection and quality control procedures under this standard.
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Choosing the Right CNC Machining Service for Nylon Parts
Choosing the right supplier can be challenging if you are looking to outsource nylon machined items, especially when assessing and finalizing available plastic CNC machining services online. It requires in-depth research of available machining facilities, technical expertise, previous track records, costs, etc.
Let’s look at how you can analyze and find the right one;
- Search CNC machining companies online and make a shortlist based on their machining capabilities, such as available CNC equipment, tooling, nylon grade options, and precision.
- Analyze their human resource expertise, relevance experience, and lead time. Then, eliminate those that can not fulfil your requirements from the list.
- Upload your part design and specifications on the online portals of selected companies and request quotes from them.
- Based on a comparison of multiple quotes, contact 2 or 3 of the best online service providers for more details, like how they will handle your project, legal agreements, ISO certification, etc.
- If possible, visit the factory. Otherwise, you can request the “virtual tour of the machining factory” to get ideas about on-site scenarios.
To get accurate quotes from industry engineers, upload your design at ProleanTech’s online portal. We provide high-quality plastic CNC machining for nylon and other serval materials tailored to your custom needs.
FAQs
- How do you machine nylon?
You can cut, mill, turn, drill, and thread nylon workpieces using suitable carbide or High-Speed Steel(HSS) tools.
- What is the best machining nylon?
Often, cast nylon is best for machining due to its dimensional stability and minimal internal stress. You can use Nylon 6 or 6/6.
- What techniques are used for nylon fabrication in CNC machining?
The common CNC techniques used in nylon fabrication are cutting, milling, drilling, turning, and tapping. In each of these techniques, distinct machining tools are used.
- How does CNC plastic machining work for nylon materials?
The computer-controlled tools precisely remove the material from nylon following the G and M code instructions, resulting in precise shapes according to design.
- Is CNC machining the best method for nylon fabrication?
Yes! for prototypes and small volumes. Nylon CNC machining allows you to craft complex geometries with tight tolerances.
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