ABS CNC Machining
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ABS CNC Machining
ABS(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is a widely used thermoplastic that has become common due to its relatively low cost and excellent toughness. CNC machining of ABS is a cost-effective way to cut parts into custom shapes without the need for expensive molds, especially for prototypes, jigs and fixtures, and small series production.
Nc machined ABS has remarkable toughness, rigidity and shock absorption properties, especially for such an inexpensive material. ABS parts are lightweight and strong. The material can create complex geometries and fine details.
ABS At a Glance
| Application | Product housings, fixtures and jigs, vehicle dashboards |
| Advantages | High-impact resistance, low cost, chemical resistance |
| Disadvantages | Not viable for high-temperature applications, damaged by solvents, poor UV stability |
| Lead Time | Lead time is generally a minimum of 3 days. However, this can increase depending on part complexity and the manufacturing origin. |
| Price | $ |
| Tolerances | Machining tolerances of 0.010” (0.25 mm) are achievable. |
| Wall Thickness | A minimum wall thickness of 0.03” (0.8 mm) is achievable. This can vary depending on the ratios of wall thickness to planar dimensions. The specific ABS grade will also affect the minimum wall thickness. |
| Max Part Size | The maximum size of the part is determined by the machines available and the complexity of the part. |
General ABS
ABS has good dimensional stability, excellent impact resistance and easy workability. This makes ABS’s CNC machining ideal for applications that require low-cost and wear-resistant parts, such as tool housings and housings.
General ABS Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Rockwell R) | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) | Melting Point (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40.7 | 53.4% | 107 | 97.4 | 267 |
Finishes
When working with our ABS CNC parts suppliers, the ABS processed are usually beige (natural) and black. Custom colors can be purchased directly.
After forming :CNC ABS parts are machined to the specified size, leaving slight tool marks or swirls on the surface of the material.
Sandblasting: For more matte parts, the surface can be sandblasted with fine glass beads to reduce gloss.
Custom polishing: The use of plastic-safe polishes enables ABS to form a high gloss surface.
Cost-saving Design Tips
ABS is a fairly inexpensive plastic that is easy to process and has excellent mechanical properties. To further save costs, engineers can first manufacture injection mold prototypes. Although ABS itself is cheap, the mold is not. However, by CNC machining ABS prototypes, it is possible to ensure that the part features are rigid and operate as expected before investing time and money in expensive molds.