Plastics processing with vhf milling machines and vhf tools

You want to get into the professional CNC production of plastic workpieces or expand your plastics machining operations? Then vhf’s high-performance, efficient milling machines are the exact right choice. Whether thermoplastics, duroplastics, acrylic or composites – vhf machines can do, and much more. Thanks to the different machine sizes available, vhf milling machines can also handle large-size plastic boards.

Since plastics offer certain advantages over metals such as less weight, good sliding characteristics or chemical resistance, plastics processing is becoming increasingly relevant in the domain of technology. But all plastic isn’t the same. There are significant density differences between materials, which have an impact on how the plastic is machined.

On this page you’ll find some plastic machining examples which were produced on vhf CNC milling machines. In addition, we have put together crucial tips for plastics processing and provide recommendations how to select the right vhf milling machine or tool.

Manufacture these plastic workpieces quickly and precisely

Trust the plastics CNC milling expert

Get started now with plastics processing and benefit from the advantages of vhf’s CNC milling technology! Find the right addition for your production operations:

X

Perfect for the machining of plastic boards of up to 2 x 3 meters. X is a high-end milling machine which stands out by virtue of powerful drives and comfortable features: innovation and high tech in its purest form.

Details of the X

Premium

For all who would like to process plastic industrially. Because what you get with vhf Premium is a machine with a very strong structure that you can equip in a variety of ways. The vhf Premium is right at home in the industrial environment: robust, precise, and dependable.

Details of the Premium

Active Pro

The all-rounder in plate machining: individually configurable, available in many different sizes. The ideal milling machine for large or very large plastic workpieces which is also capable of cutting your materials – a genuine all-rounder with a great price-performance ratio and lots of flexibility.

Details of the Active Pro

vhf’s practical tip: optimize acrylic glass edges

Your vhf milling machine can do a lot of things, and it will meet exceptionally high requirements. The CNC technology lets you achieve optimized edges in acrylic glass very easily – a difference that will not go unnoticed by your customers! This video shows how it works.

We will be happy to advise you!

Phone
+49 7032 97097 700
Email
sales@vhf.de

FAQ plastics processing

What should be kept in mind with regard to the milling strategy?

Cooling and extraction – yes or no?

For most plastics, it is sufficient to rely on the cooling effect of our efficient extraction system. The rapid chip removal and the air flow provide the desired cooling effect and ensure an outstanding extraction performance.

However, there are types of plastics that tend to smear, such as PP (polypropylene). This issue is observed especially in applications in which the milling cutter does not travel very fast, e.g., while drilling or cutting threads. In this context, we recommend complementing the extraction system with a coolant during processing. This helps to optimize edge quality and keeps the tool from clogging.

And thanks to the amalgamation with our efficient extraction system, you can combine the benefits of cooling with those of efficient extraction. This means significantly reduced cleaning requirements and better milling results.

Should you include a finishing step?

A finishing step is definitely a good idea for products with an exposed edge because it optimizes edge quality. In most cases, you will achieve excellent results with a removal rate of approx. 0.1 – 0.2 mm.

If desired, a further process step with a polishing cutter can be added when working acrylic glass. The polishing cutter (MCD or PCD) slides along the milled edge, thus optimizing the result. This will provide a polished, high-gloss milling edge

What milling parameters make the most sense?

The choice of feed rate, speed and material removal depends on different factors. Some parameters are dictated by the machine and the milling spindle that you use. The material, material thickness, and tool diameter have an impact, too.
Cooling/lubrication and/or extraction are all issues that need to be taken into account as well. Therefore, we won’t give any statistical values here. Instead, we offer tool consultation services through our competent tool sales department – quick and individual.

Chamfering and/or deburring: yes or no?

When using a suitable and sharp tool, the right milling strategy and especially after a finishing step, the workpieces typically have such a good edge quality that chamfering/deburring is not necessary. If there are any sharp edges or if you want to enhance the appearance of the workpiece, you can deburr it. The best approach is to decide individually on a case-by-case basis.

How to best fix plastic boards

The most efficient way is to clamp down plastic boards with the vhf vacuum table. This fixes the plastic board tension-free to the milling machine with the help of vhf’s vacuum technology. This lets you mill inline and outline contours without any problems, with very little set-up work to be done.

Which tools are best suited for plastic processing?

Benefit from our individual tool consulting service, including parameter guidance.

Phone
+49 7032 97097 430
Email
tools@vhf.de

Or get a first overview here:

Single or multi-tooth milling cutter?

When milling plastic, you should preferably use single-tooth cutters. Thanks to the large flute, chips can be removed much more easily and quickly than would be possible with the significantly narrower flutes of a multi-tooth cutter. When working with plastic in particular, we recommend the single-tooth cutter with polished flute, with its bevel and geometry specifically designed for plastics processing.

Coated tools – yes or no?

The advantage of coated tools lies in the substantially longer service life. Coated tools are the reasonable choice especially for serial production and/or long operating times. On the other hand, the rounding of the cutting edge means a less optimal edge quality than what can be achieved with non-coated tools. Therefore, if it’s a longer service life and rapid production that you’re interested in, you should opt for coated tools.

Which tools are suitable for chamfering/deburring?

Different tools are at your disposal for chamfering your plastic workpiece, depending on the desired angle on the workpiece. A 45° chamfer is desired in many cases. This can be achieved with a 90° tool. You can use our engraving cutters (15° to 90° top angle) for this purpose.

Special applications: threads, counterbores, engravings

vhf develops and manufactures its own tools – this means they are perfectly capable of doing the job they are designed for, e.g., plastics processing. We have the right tool for plastics processing or engraving for any application:

Thread
A typical plastics processing application is thread production. We recommend our whirling cutter, available for the thread sizes M1 – M10. Alternatively, you can also use the circular thread cutter which can cut threads up to M16, as well as metric cable glands.
Counterbores
Counterbores can be produced with vhf machines even with a single-tooth milling cutter, if the right milling strategy is used. Alternatively, you can also use 90° gravers, deburrers or countersinks.
Engravings
With engraving widths from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and top angles from 15° to 90°, vhf gravers offer a wealth of different tools. Depending on whether you want a fine, subtle or a deep, high-visibility engraving.

The right tools for plastics processing

Selecting the right tool is key in plastics processing – but don’t worry, vhf has the right tool solution for your application! And we’ll be happy to consult you, in true vhf fashion.

Material	Application	vhf tool
Acrylic (PMMA)	Milling	Single tooth cutters with polished flute
	Engraving	Engraver’s milling cutters for acrylic
	Polishing	PCD polishing cutters MCD polishing cutters
PVC rigid foam (Forex)	Milling	Single tooth cutters with polished flute
	Engraving	Engraver’s milling cutters for acrylic
PVC hard, PP	Milling	Single tooth cutters Varius
	Engraving	Engraver’s milling cutters for acrylic
PC	Milling	Single tooth cutters with polished flute
	Engraving	Engraver’s milling cutters for acrylic
PE, PS	Milling	Single tooth cutters with polished flute
	Engraving	Engraver’s milling cutters for acrylic
PE / PU foams	Milling	Triple tooth cutters for foam

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