Many plastics are initially produced in basic shapes like sheets, rods, and tubes. And they often come in stock sizes to fit the most common needs of a particular industry. However, since these materials have so many different uses and applications, customization is often a must. Before utilizing plastic materials in your company’s operations, it’s important to understand what services are available to turn raw materials into specific pieces that actually suit your needs.
Plastic routing services include any fabrication process where a stock piece of plastic is cut or shaped to a user’s exact specifications. Today, this is often done with a powerful machine called a CNC router.
If your company manufactures or uses plastic components, it’s beneficial to understand what plastic routing services are available to customize materials to your specific industry standards and company requirements. A firm grasp on these capabilities can help you more quickly and accurately select the customization options that suit your applications.
Here’s a guide to various plastic routing services for companies that require custom components.
CNC Plastic Milling and Machining
Many plastic routing services are completed with a CNC machine. This stands for computer numerical control, meaning the cuts and designs are created digitally and then automatically applied to the raw piece of material. This allows plastic fabrication companies to produce completely customized designs more quickly while creating accurate and precise cuts each time. This option is also perfect for companies that need to produce components in bulk since digital designs can easily be duplicated as many times as needed without creating items that vary slightly based on user error.
This machine can complete a huge array of cutting and machining processes. Some components may only need to be cut into basic shapes, while others may require drilling or grinding down edges to create precise shapes. This means these processes can be used across industries for various purposes. For example, a medical device company may produce parts for diagnostic strips or imaging equipment. Transportation companies may produce instrument panels and other interior components. And manufacturing companies can produce replacement parts for machinery or safety barriers to protect operators from hazardous equipment.
To make the most of CNC plastic routing services, it’s important to know exactly what dimensions, shapes, and other characteristics are needed to make each piece of material suit your exact needs. Since the designs are created on a computer, it is possible to create a draft and then alter your designs as needed. Some companies even create prototypes or one-off parts to test their initial designs in a real-world environment. Then they may make small changes before creating products in bulk.
In addition to plastic routing services, many companies can also benefit from other customization options like cut-to-size plastics, film conversion, machining, and assembly. Basically, it’s beneficial to find a supplier that offers a huge array of customization options that can serve your specific needs both now and in the future.
Local Plastic Routing Services
In addition to the amazing capabilities of plastic routing services, it’s often advantageous for companies to work with a local provider to receive these materials. A plastic fabrication company that focuses on a local market is likely to have more knowledge about the needs of businesses and consumers in your area. And they can provide guidance and tailor services to your particular industry and target market. For example, some industries have regulations that may impact product selection or testing standards.
Local teams are also more likely to have enough time to work with each customer on an individual basis, improving the customer experience for everyone. Since these teams are not distracted trying to push out orders for clients across the globe, they can spend more time answering questions, responding to concerns, and providing personalized guidance. Working with a smaller volume at each facility means your company can get the time and expertise needed to fully support your operational needs.
In addition, local distribution centers are often significantly more efficient in terms of customer communication and getting orders out on time. Especially now, with supply chain disruptions affecting industries across the world, it’s important to have the ability to rely on your suppliers for accurate quotes and timely shipping. If your local provider has a large assortment of materials in stock and access to plastic machining equipment like CNC machines, they have everything needed to fulfill your requests immediately. This means no more waiting around for estimates or tracking down shipments. You have a better chance of maintaining high standards for your own customers if you’re able to rely on the partners you choose to do business with.
All of these factors allow teams to work more efficiently. Employees can spend less time on material selection, tracking, and communication and more time on other tasks that require high-level industry expertise. Working with a local provider can also help you get your own products or services to clients or customers more quickly. For example, instead of waiting on replacement parts for an important piece of manufacturing equipment, you can receive completely customized materials on the same or the next day and continue production with little to no disruption in your regular operations. Overall, working with a local company that offers plastic routing services on-site can help you enjoy a major competitive advantage in your industry, especially with today’s customers who like to receive their products and services immediately.
If you’re looking for a trusted, reliable partner to provide the benefits of plastic routing services to your firm, contact Polymershapes today. We carry an extensive inventory of quality plastics from top manufacturers, and our local facilities are spread throughout the country and equipped with an array of plastic fabrication equipment to provide all the benefits of plastic routing services and other customization options. Visit our website to find your local Polymershapes branch today.