From protective housings in the automotive industry to high-precision parts in medical technology; processing of plastics is a crucial part of many industrial manufacturing processes. But unlike metal, plastic is a living material. It shrinks, expands, rises and reacts to heat and moisture. Therefore, it is not enough to just choose one method – you must choose the right method, adapted to both the material and the requirements. At MK Plastteknik, we work daily to transform technical plastics into functional components. Below we share our experience with different techniques for processing plastics; their advantages, limitations and when they are best suited.
CNC machining
CNC milling and turning are the basis of much of our production. It is particularly effective when parts are to be produced in small to medium series, when the geometry is complex or when material properties require a precise machining strategy.
For example, a POM-C blank requires significantly higher cutting speeds than aluminum, but at the same time must be machined with tight tolerances to avoid heat deformation. We use specially ground tools, adapted cooling and vibration-damping fixtures – especially when machining low-friction materials such as UHMW-PE or softer varieties of PVC.
Vacuum forming
When we manufacture, for example, enclosures, covers or front panels in ABS or PETG, vacuum forming is often the obvious choice. The method involves forming a heated plastic sheet against a tool using vacuum – simple, cost-effective and fast.
But the real value lies in the post-processing. Using our 5-axis CNC machines, we mill vacuum-formed parts with millimeter precision, making it possible to integrate snap locks, feedthroughs or mounting points directly into the component – without having to resort to injection molding.
Injection molding
For high-volume production or parts that require complete repeatability, injection molding is often unbeatable. But it is far from plug-and-play. Each material – from PA with glass fiber to antistatic modified PC – requires its own tool design, flow analysis and process control.
At MK Plastteknik, we work with both standard tools and customized solutions, and can help already in the design phase to ensure formability, parting and optimal cycle time.
Extrusion
Extrusion is well suited when you need long profiles in materials such as TPU, LDPE or technical blends. The profiles are extruded through a die and can be cut, punched or grooved immediately after cooling.
We have extensive experience in developing sealing strips, spacers and technical profiles that are resistant to UV, chemicals and mechanical abrasion. A recurring challenge is to control dimensional stability in varying environments – here both material choice and tool design play a crucial role.
Wire EDM
Behind every injection-molded or vacuum-formed part lies a carefully crafted tool. We use wire EDM to achieve extremely tight tolerances in hardened tool steels. The technique is also suitable for manufacturing special fixtures and punching tools where traditional milling is not sufficient.
When is plastic processing best suited?
It depends on the geometry of the design, functional requirements, material selection and series volume. Where injection molding is ideal for high volumes of smaller parts, CNC machining is best suited for complex prototypes or short series. Vacuum forming works particularly well when large, lightweight components are to be produced with short lead times and limited tooling budgets.
More than just plastic processing
Not all plastics can be processed in the same way. Glass fiber reinforced materials require tools with high wear resistance. Thermoplastics can start to soften at 70°C if chip evacuation is not optimized. And amorphous plastics such as PMMA are sensitive to stress cracks if the fixture is incorrect. Understanding the properties of the materials is at least as important as mastering the machines.
That's why at MK Plastteknik we don't just offer production - we offer a complete solution. We are happy to guide you in choosing between injection molding, extrusion or mechanical processing of plastic components, based on your requirements for function, tolerance and economy.
Complete solutions for industrial requirements
At MK Plastteknik, we combine several manufacturing methods to produce plastic components with the right function, finish and dimensional accuracy. We work closely with our customers in the construction, automotive, electrical and medical technology industries – from prototype to series production.
Would you like to discuss a specific plastic design or production challenge? Feel free to contact us – we are happy to share our experience in plastic processing.
