Depending on material, part size, and geometry, we can hold tolerances as tight as ±0.0005 in (0.0127 mm) on select features. However, the actual achievable tolerance is material- and part-specific rather than a single blanket number because plastics behave differently than metal on a lathe. Environmental factors like thermal expansion, moisture absorption, and clamping pressure all affect the final dimension. We'll tell you during quoting exactly what's realistic for your design, and flag any feature that needs a tighter callout or further consideration.

Running plastic and metal through the same equipment risks cross-contamination. Metal particulates embedded in a plastic surface can compromise cleanliness-critical applications (like in medical, diagnostics, and semiconductors) and even affect the plastic's chemical resistance or electrical properties. Our facilities run plastic exclusively: no metal dust, no shared machining history, and no risk of a part failing inspection because of contamination it picked up from an unrelated job.

Most engineering and high-performance thermoplastics can be turned, but some machine more predictably than others. Acetal/Delrin, PEEK, and ULTEM tend to hold tolerance most reliably while softer materials like PTFE and UHMW need more deliberate handling to avoid deformation. See the materials table above for machinability notes, typical achievable tolerance, and common applications by material. Then delve deeper into our knowledge base about plastic materials.

Yes, but we do not provide this as a standalone service. Post-anneal is available for parts that need added stability, strength, or improved electrical properties after machining. This is especially relevant for high-performance plastics like PEEK, ULTEM, and Torlon, which can retain internal stress from the turning process that affects long-term dimensional stability if left untreated.

We provide micromachining services, including turning parts with tolerances to ±0.0005 in (0.0127 mm). We can hold even tighter tolerances that fall into the typical range for microfluidics and semiconductors. We take those on a case-by-case basis. Contact our team to discuss your project further.

Plastic turning requires different tools, speeds, and handling than turning metals. Plastics are more heat-sensitive, less rigid, and can warp or absorb moisture in ways metal doesn't. A factory set up for metal that also runs plastic as a side capability often defaults to metal-appropriate speeds and tools, which can produce more heat stress, poorer surface finish, and/or dimensional drift in the plastic part. A plastics-dedicated factory tunes tools, speed, and fixturing specifically for a specific polymer's behavior under turning conditions.

We are ISO 9001:2015 registered and adhere to the following standards:

• ANSI/ASQZ1.4
• ANSI/NCSLZ540-1-1994

Thin walls lose rigidity fast, so cutting forces that wouldn't affect a heavier feature can push a thin wall away from the tool, causing it to flex, chatter, or spring back out of tolerance once the tool passes and the part relaxes. We manage this with:

1. Lighter, more frequent passes rather than one heavy cut
2. Sharp high-positive-rake tooling that shears the material cleanly instead of pushing it
3. Minimized tool over hang for maximum rigidity ,and
4. Dedicated part support (softjaws, backingstock, or temporary support material) to keep the wall from moving mid-cut.

For long or slender turned features, we also build appropriate length-to-diameter ratios and support strategy into the process at the design stage, rather than trying to correct for deflection after the fact.

It can, and the degree depends greatly on material and method. High-performance materials common in medical devices (such as PEEK, Ultem (PEI), and Radel (PPSU)) are built to hold up through potentially hundreds of steam autoclave cycles, but these materials are not interchangeable. PEEK generally tolerates the most repeated high-heat steam cycles while PPSU holds best under repeated mechanical or impact stress. Ultem is often the most cost-effective of the three but can show color change earlier in repeated cycling.

Steam sterilization at 121–134°C is typically the most demanding on dimensional stability. Lower-temperature methods like EtO and vaporized hydrogen peroxide generally cause less distortion. If a part needs to be sterilized repeatedly, tell us the method and expected cycle count during design. These factors affect both material selection and how we machine for long-term dimensional stability, not just first-article inspection.

Both have an appropriate place, and the right choice depends on the feature. Single-point threading on the lathe cuts the thread in the same setup as the rest of the part. This produces a cleanly centered thread with minimal risk of tearing the plastic and our usual preference for external threads or threads on a part that's already being turned. This is especially true in softer or more brittle materials.

Tapping internal threads after machining can be efficient for high-volume runs in easier-to-machine plastics. However, plastic threads strip more easily than metal, and tapped threads carry more risk of chipping or tearing at the crest in brittle materials if the tap isn't matched to the resin. For threaded features that will see frequent assembly/disassembly or high torque, we can discuss other available options rather than relying on the plastic thread alone as plastic threads generally are not built for repeated high-torque cycling.