Fundamentals
Major Considerations in the Routing of Plastics
Review the machinery, tooling and process capabilities that should be evaluated before routing or machining plastic.
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Explore technical guidance from LMT Onsrud covering plastic routing, tooling, workholding, surface finish, material machining and CNC routing applications.
Fundamentals, preparation and CNC process guidance for machining plastic materials.
Review the machinery, tooling and process capabilities that should be evaluated before routing or machining plastic.
Read ArticleExamine common plastic-routing problems and the material, machine and application variables that can cause cutting or finish issues.
Read ArticleLearn the preliminary procedures and planning considerations that can make the transition from routing wood or aluminum to plastics more successful.
Read ArticleContinue the preparation process with additional guidance for controlling the variables that become more important when machining plastics.
Read ArticleLearn how bit selection, programming, spindle speed, feed rate and fixturing work together to improve CNC plastic-routing productivity and finish.
Read ArticleExplore how router tools designed for mechanical plastics can increase productivity when machining gears, bearings and other plastic components.
Read ArticleMaterial-specific routing and trimming guidance for common plastic and fabrication applications.
Review tooling and routing considerations for polycarbonate, including the cutting geometry suited to this relatively soft and highly machinable plastic.
Read ArticleUnderstand how different polypropylene formulations affect machinability, tool selection and routing or trimming performance.
Read ArticleLearn how PET, reinforced PET and PETG can require different tools, spindle speeds, feed rates and fixturing to optimize finish and production.
Read ArticleExplore the tooling and machining factors required to produce a premium finished edge on acrylic without additional post-routing operations.
Read ArticleReview router-tooling approaches for removing flash, separating parts and creating holes or cutouts in thermoformed plastic components.
Read ArticleCompare routing considerations across the wood, aluminum, foam and plastic materials commonly machined in sign manufacturing.
Read ArticleGuidance on router geometry, cutting-tool design and specialized machining techniques.
Learn why O-flute geometry is well suited to many mechanical plastics and how cutter geometry influences chip formation and finish.
Read ArticleExamine the cutting-tool geometry developed specifically for routing and trimming plastics as CNC machining demands improved finished edges.
Read ArticleExplore pneumatic routing, its advantages in plastic fabrication and the tooling considerations that help air routers produce consistent parts.
Read ArticleImprove part stability, surface quality and routing performance through better process control.
Learn why spoilboard selection and methodology matter to workholding, productivity and performance on high-speed CNC routing equipment.
Read ArticlePractical answers to recurring setup, tooling and finish questions.
Answers to recurring plastic-routing questions covering cut finish, feed and spindle adjustments, material rewelding and common setup concerns.
Read ArticlePractical answers to setup questions including climb versus conventional cutting and other variables that influence plastic-routing results.
Read ArticleTroubleshoot routing issues tied to machine condition and fixture design, including the causes of visible cutter marks and inconsistent finishes.
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