What Is Micro Plastic Part Manufacturing?

In the world of CNC precision machining, the possibilities extend far beyond just shaping and cutting materials. One of the most exciting aspects of modern machining is the ability to customize the surface color of your parts, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. At F&Q-Tech, we offer a wide range of color customization options to meet your specific needs. In this article, we'll explore the different color surface treatment methods we use, their advantages and disadvantages, and which materials they are best suited for.

1. Electroplating

Electroplating involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a part using an electric current. Common plating metals include chromium, nickel, zinc, and gold.

• Advantages:

Enhanced Durability: Provides excellent corrosion and wear resistance.

Aesthetic Appeal: Offers a shiny, reflective finish.

Versatility: Can be applied to various metals, including steel, brass, and copper.

• Disadvantages:

Environmental Concerns: The process can involve hazardous chemicals.

Cost: Can be more expensive due to the need for specialized equipment and materials.

• Suitable Materials:

Metals: Steel, brass, copper, and other conductive materials.

Not Ideal For: Non-conductive materials like plastics and ceramics.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant oxide layer, most commonly used on aluminum.

• Advantages: 

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent for protecting aluminum parts.

Color Stability: Colors are embedded in the oxide layer, making them resistant to fading.

Hardness: Increases the surface hardness of the material.

• Disadvantages:

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent for protecting aluminum parts.

Color Stability: Colors are embedded in the oxide layer, making them resistant to fading.

Hardness: Increases the surface hardness of the material.

• Disadvantages:

Limited to Aluminum: Primarily used for aluminum and its alloys.

Color Limitations: While versatile, the color range is not as extensive as some other methods.

Powder coating is a dry finishing process where finely ground particles of pigment and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the part, then cured under heat.

• Advantages:

Durability: Highly resistant to scratches, chips, and fading.

Environmentally Friendly: Produces less hazardous waste compared to liquid paints.

Versatile Color Range: Offers a wide variety of colors and finishes.

• Disadvantages:

Thickness: Can be thicker than other coatings, which may not be suitable for precision parts.

Curing Time: Requires heat curing, which can be time-consuming.

• Suitable Materials:

Metals: Steel, aluminum, and other metals.

Plastics: Certain types of heat-resistant plastics.

Not Ideal For: Materials that cannot withstand the curing temperature.

Chemical coloring involves immersing the part in a chemical solution that reacts with the metal to produce a colored oxide layer.

• Advantages:

Uniform Color: Provides a consistent and even color distribution.

Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than other methods.

Simple Process: Requires less equipment and setup.

• Disadvantages:

Limited Color Range: Typically limited to black, blue, and brown shades.

Durability: Less resistant to wear and corrosion compared to other methods.

• Suitable Materials:

Stainless Steel: Commonly used for stainless steel parts.

Copper Alloys: Suitable for brass and bronze.

Not Ideal For: Aluminum and other reactive metals.

Laser coloring uses a laser to create microstructures on the surface of the material, which interact with light to produce colors without the use of pigments or dyes.

• Advantages:

Permanent Colors: Colors are embedded in the material and do not fade.

Eco-Friendly: No chemicals or pigments are used.

Precision: Allows for intricate designs and patterns.

• Disadvantages:

Cost: Can be more expensive due to the high cost of laser equipment.

Limited to Certain Materials: Primarily used for metals and some plastics.

• Suitable Materials:

Metals: Stainless steel, titanium, and other reflective metals.

Plastics: Certain types of transparent and reflective plastics.

Not Ideal For: Materials that are not reflective or cannot withstand laser energy.

Hot-dip galvanizing involves immersing the part in a bath of molten zinc, creating a protective coating that is highly resistant to corrosion.

• Advantages:

Long-Lasting Protection: Provides excellent corrosion resistance.

Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than other corrosion protection methods.

Durability: The coating is thick and robust.

• Disadvantages:

Aesthetic Limitations: The finish is not as smooth or visually appealing as other methods.

Weight: Adds a significant amount of weight to the part.

• Suitable Materials:

Steel: Commonly used for steel structures and components.

Not Ideal For: Aluminum, copper, and other non-ferrous metals.

At F&Q-Tech, we understand that the color of your CNC machined parts is just as important as their functionality. That's why we offer a variety of color surface treatment methods to ensure that your parts not only perform well but also look great. Whether you're looking for corrosion resistance, aesthetic appeal, or a combination of both, we have a solution for you.

Electroplating is ideal for metals requiring high durability and a shiny finish.

Anodizing is perfect for aluminum parts needing corrosion resistance and color stability.

Powder Coating offers a wide range of colors and is highly durable.

Chemical Coloring is cost-effective and suitable for stainless steel and copper alloys.

Laser Coloring provides permanent, eco-friendly colors with high precision.

Hot-Dip Galvanizing is best for steel parts needing long-lasting corrosion protection.

By understanding the different methods and their applications, you can make an informed decision about which color surface treatment is right for your CNC machined parts. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can help you achieve the perfect finish.

To ensure we deliver exactly what you envision, we require two crucial elements for our quoting process: detailed drawings and color swatches.

Ready to explore the possibilities of color customization for your CNC machined parts? 

Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help bring your vision to life.

     Blow molding and injection molding seem similar but each has its own advantages. Whether it is a lightweight mineral water bottle or a precision automotive component, the two technologies work together in a precise manner. When choosing, you need to consider product requirements, cost budget and design goals to maximize benefits.

     Injection molding is an efficient production technology used to manufacture a variety of plastic parts, including transparent plastic parts. Transparent plastics are widely used in many industries, such as automotive, electronics, medical and packaging industries, due to their unique appearance and functionality. This article will discuss the feasibility of injection molding transparent plastics, the challenges faced and how to overcome these challenges.

     Transparent plastics usually refer to those plastic materials that can transmit light. Common transparent plastics include polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS). Different types of transparent plastics have their own characteristics. For example, polycarbonate has high impact resistance and good thermal stability, while polymethyl methacrylate is known for its good transparency and surface smoothness.

     Injection molding of transparent plastics is entirely feasible, especially when the selected plastic material has good fluidity and low shrinkage. Transparent plastics can be accurately injected into the mold under high temperature and high pressure, and the molded transparent plastic parts can achieve high transparency and clarity. Therefore, using injection molding of transparent plastics, not only can products with transparent appearance and no defects be produced, but also mass production can be carried out in a short time.

     Although injection molding of transparent plastics is feasible, there are still a series of challenges in the production process. First, the fluidity and shrinkage of transparent plastics may cause defects on the surface of the molded parts, such as bubbles, scratches or uneven color differences. Secondly, the injection molding machine and mold require high precision. Not only must the injection temperature and pressure be controlled, but the surface finish of the mold must also be guaranteed. Any small defect may affect the transparency, resulting in the product failing to achieve the expected visual effect.

     In order to overcome the challenges of injection molding transparent plastics, companies can take a series of technical measures. First, it is crucial to select the right raw materials to ensure that the fluidity and shrinkage of the materials meet the product requirements. Secondly, during the injection molding process, the temperature, pressure and injection speed need to be precisely controlled to ensure uniform plastic flow. In addition, the design and precision processing of the injection mold are also crucial, especially the smoothness of the mold surface and the design of the exhaust system, which can effectively avoid the generation of bubbles and defects.

     Injection molding of transparent plastics is a technically feasible process that is widely used in various industries. Although there are some challenges in the production process, these problems can be overcome through reasonable material selection, precise temperature and pressure control, and precise mold design to produce high-quality transparent plastic products. With the advancement of technology, the application prospects of injection molding transparent plastics will be broader.

Plastic injection molding is one of the most widely used manufacturing processes, and its accuracy directly determines product quality and production efficiency. The precision of injection molding affects not only the size of the parts but also surface quality, shape accuracy, and other aspects. Understanding the accuracy of plastic injection molding, the factors influencing it, and the methods of controlling it can help improve product consistency and production efficiency. This article will explain the accuracy of plastic injection molding and the relevant control techniques.

The accuracy of plastic injection molding can be divided into multiple aspects, with the most important being dimensional accuracy, shape accuracy, and surface finish. In industries with high precision requirements, such as automotive, electronics, and medical devices, the precision of injection molding is particularly critical, requiring each part's size error to be minimized, and shape and surface finish to meet certain standards.

Dimensional Accuracy: Refers to the deviation range of the product's various dimensions, usually measured in tolerances. For high-precision parts, tolerances can reach micron levels.

Shape Accuracy: Refers to whether the part's shape meets design requirements, with common issues including warping and deformation.

Surface Finish: The surface quality directly impacts the part's performance and appearance. Smooth surfaces reduce friction and enhance aesthetics.

The accuracy of plastic injection molding is influenced by several factors, including the following key elements:

Mold Design and Manufacturing Precision: The design and manufacturing precision of the mold are crucial for ensuring injection molding accuracy. If the mold design is unreasonable or manufacturing errors occur, the molded products may have dimensional deviations or inaccurate shapes. High-precision molds can ensure product consistency and high quality.

Injection Molding Machine Precision: The precision of the injection molding machine includes the accuracy of mechanical parts (such as the screw and injection system) as well as the control system. If the machine's operational precision is inadequate, issues such as uneven temperature and unstable pressure may arise during molding, reducing product accuracy.

Material Selection and Control: The type and quality of plastic used also significantly impact injection molding accuracy. Different plastic materials have different shrinkage rates and flow properties during molding, so selecting the right material based on the product design is essential for ensuring accuracy.

Temperature and Pressure Control: Temperature and pressure control directly affects the precision of molded products. If the temperature is unstable, the plastic may flow unevenly, affecting dimensional accuracy. If pressure is uneven, it may cause irregular shape changes in the product.

To improve the accuracy of plastic injection molding, various control methods can be used:

Optimize Mold Design: Reasonable mold design is the first step in ensuring molding accuracy. Optimizing the mold’s cooling and venting systems can ensure more even plastic flow, preventing dimensional deviations caused by local temperature differences. Additionally, using high-precision equipment to manufacture the mold can improve manufacturing accuracy and reduce product dimensional errors.

Precise Injection Molding Machine Adjustment: The precision of the injection molding machine directly affects the molding result. Regularly checking and adjusting parameters such as injection speed, pressure, and temperature ensures consistency and accuracy in each injection process. Real-time monitoring and adjustment via automated control systems ensure each step of the molding process is executed precisely.

Select High-Quality Materials: Using high-quality materials that ensure stable flow properties and shrinkage rates is essential for improving molding accuracy. Enterprises should choose plastic materials that match product design requirements to avoid accuracy issues caused by material inconsistencies or excessive impurities.

Focus on Temperature and Pressure Control: Strictly controlling temperature and pressure during the molding process ensures uniform plastic flow in the mold. Using advanced temperature control systems to

monitor and adjust mold temperature in real-time helps improve product consistency and accuracy.

The precision of plastic injection molding and production efficiency are often two factors that need to be balanced in production. Typically, the higher the precision requirement, the longer the production cycle and the higher the cost. However, businesses can optimize production processes and automation systems to improve efficiency without compromising accuracy.

For example, increasing the automation level of injection molding machines can reduce errors caused by manual operation. Optimizing the production schedule to avoid over-prioritizing precision at the cost of efficiency helps improve overall production while maintaining product quality.

The accuracy of plastic injection molding is crucial for ensuring product quality and production efficiency. Several factors, including mold design, injection machine precision, material selection, and temperature-pressure control, affect accuracy. By optimizing these factors and adopting scientific production processes and management methods, businesses can significantly improve injection molding accuracy and ensure product consistency and high quality.

In the manufacturing industry, CNC machining is widely used in many fields such as auto parts, aerospace, etc. due to its high precision and high efficiency. When you need CNC machining of parts, the processing cost is often a problem you are very concerned about. However, the cost of CNC machining a part is not fixed, but is affected by a combination of many factors.

Material cost

The prices of different materials vary greatly. Common metal materials such as aluminum, copper, and steel are relatively affordable; while titanium alloys and some special alloys commonly used in high-end fields such as aerospace are very expensive due to the scarcity of raw materials, difficulty in refining and processing. For example, the price of ordinary aluminum alloy materials may be tens of yuan per kilogram, while aviation-grade titanium alloys can reach thousands of yuan per kilogram. In addition, the specifications and quality grades of the materials will also affect the cost. Materials with high precision and high quality requirements are more expensive.

Part complexity

The shape and structural complexity of the parts have a significant impact on the processing cost. Simple and regular shapes, such as cubes and cylinders, are easy to process and require fewer processing steps; while parts with complex curved surfaces, special-shaped structures, precise internal channels or tiny fine features are much more difficult to process. Complex parts not only require more programming time to plan tool paths, but may also require special processing techniques and multiple clamping and positioning, which increases processing time and the risk of errors, resulting in a significant increase in processing costs. For example, the processing cost of a simple aluminum cylindrical part may only be tens of yuan, while the processing cost of an aircraft engine blade with a complex curved surface may be as high as thousands of yuan or even more.

Processing accuracy requirements

Accuracy is an important indicator of CNC processing. The smaller the tolerance range and the lower the surface roughness requirements, the higher the requirements for equipment accuracy, tool selection, process parameter control and operator skill level during the processing. In order to achieve high precision requirements, it may be necessary to use more advanced and higher precision processing equipment for multiple fine processing and testing, which will undoubtedly increase processing time and cost. For example, the processing accuracy requirements of ordinary mechanical parts may be ±0.1mm, while the accuracy requirements of precision medical equipment or aerospace parts may reach ±0.01mm or even higher, and the processing cost of the latter is much higher than that of the former.

Processing quantity

The processing quantity has a key impact on the processing cost of a single piece. In CNC processing, there are certain fixed costs, such as programming costs, equipment debugging costs, etc. When the processing quantity is small, these fixed costs are allocated to each part. A larger share, resulting in a higher processing cost per piece; as the processing quantity increases, the fixed cost is shared by more parts, and the processing cost per piece gradually decreases. For example, the cost of processing one part may be 100 yuan, but when the number of processing increases to 100 pieces, the processing cost per piece may drop to 50 yuan.

Processing equipment and technology

The processing capabilities, precision, efficiency and costs of CNC processing equipment of different types and grades vary significantly. The three-axis machining center is suitable for general plane and simple three-dimensional processing, and the equipment cost is relatively low; while the four-axis and five-axis linkage machining centers can process more complex spatial surfaces, the equipment is expensive, and the hourly processing cost is also higher. In addition, different processing technologies, such as milling, turning, drilling, grinding, and EDM, have different charging standards due to the different equipment, tools, and processing time required. Complex and special processing technologies often charge higher fees.

In actual business, there are mainly the following ways to calculate CNC processing costs:

Charging by the hour

This method is suitable for situations where the processing time is difficult to accurately estimate, or the size and complexity of the parts vary greatly. Processing cost = processing time × hourly processing rate. The hourly processing rate covers equipment depreciation, energy consumption, labor costs, and enterprise operation and management costs. The hourly processing rate of an ordinary three-axis machining center may be 100-300 yuan, while the hourly processing rate of a high-end five-axis linkage machining center may reach 500-1000 yuan or even higher.

Charging by piece

It is often used in mass production or projects with relatively fixed part complexity and processing time. The processing cost per piece is determined based on factors such as the material cost of the part, the difficulty of processing, and the required process, including material costs, processing costs, equipment loss costs, and a certain profit. For example, a simple plastic part may be charged by piece for a few yuan per piece, while a complex metal mechanical part may be charged by hundreds of yuan per piece.

Comprehensive billing

Taking into account factors such as material cost, processing time, processing difficulty, and processing quantity, an overall charging plan is formulated. This method can more comprehensively and accurately reflect the processing cost and is suitable for complex projects or long-term cooperative customers. For example, for an order containing a variety of different parts, the material cost and processing cost of each part are calculated separately, and then comprehensive adjustments are made based on factors such as the number of parts and the overall project difficulty to obtain the final total project cost.

Optimize part design

On the premise of meeting the functional requirements of the parts, simplify the shape and structure of the parts as much as possible, avoid complex curved surfaces and unnecessary fine features, and reduce the processing procedures and difficulty. Reasonably design the size of the parts, fully consider the material utilization rate, and reduce material waste. For example, by optimizing the design, multiple parts can be combined into one integral processing, which can not only reduce the assembly process, but also reduce the processing cost.

Choose the right material

Select cost-effective materials according to the use environment and performance requirements of the parts. Without affecting the quality and service life of the parts, consider replacing expensive materials with materials with lower prices but similar performance. At the same time, pay attention to the specifications and procurement channels of the materials, and purchase in bulk or choose general specification materials to reduce the material procurement cost.

Reasonably plan the number of processing

If the project allows, try to increase the number of processing to make full use of the cost advantages of mass production and reduce the processing cost of a single piece. For enterprises with long-term processing needs, they can establish long-term cooperative relationships with processing manufacturers to strive for more favorable prices and services.

Choose a high-quality processing supplier

It is crucial to choose a CNC processing supplier with advanced equipment, rich experience, a reasonable price system and a good reputation. High-quality suppliers can optimize processing technology, reduce processing costs, and provide more cost-effective services with superb technology and efficient management, while ensuring processing quality.

The cost of CNC processing a part is affected by many factors, and there is no fixed and unified standard. If you have CNC processing needs, please contact us. We have advanced CNC processing equipment and an experienced technical team. We can provide you with accurate and reasonable processing cost quotations based on your part drawings and specific requirements, taking into account various factors, and ensure processing quality and delivery time. Let us work together to help your project succeed!