Plastic CNC Machining
Thompson Precision can machine plastics like Acrylic, Polycarbonate, Nylon, Acetal, Peek, PTFE and Ultem to our customer’s drawing, CAD file or sample. We use CNC Milling Machines and Lathes to machine plastics into complex shapes with tight tolerances for a wide variety of industries throughout the UK.
Our experienced machinists specialise in small-batch bespoke machining of difficult 3D shapes and have worked on everything from prototype headlights for the automobile industry to precision lenses and plates for the scientific and pharmaceutical industries. Small-batch manufacturing of plastic parts can be useful for designers and buyers, to ensure parts are correct before large-volume manufacturing begins. Machining plastics can often be used to manufacture small volumes of parts, or prototypes, in a much more cost-effective way as opposed to large-volume manufacturing techniques; parts that may be extruded acrylic shapes or moulded plastics in larger volume can often be CNC machined quickly and efficiently in small volumes.
We are often tasked with machining engineering plastics and high-performance plastics in small batches for designers and prototype parts. These plastics can have a wide range of properties ranging from heat resistance, chemical stability, mechanical strength, self-lubrication or abrasion resistance. Engineering plastics we’ve machined include Nylon, PTFE, Acetal, PET, PEEK and many more.
Why Choose Thompson Precision
Latest CNC Technology
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Fast & Accurate
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High Precision Experts for 85 years
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Large Scale CNC Milling
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Testimonials
Accuracy and Finish
- Machine shop special effects
Met our Deadlines
- F1 Team
Highly Recommend
- Cambridge Consultants
Demanding prototype components produced in days without fuss. Thanks for your help.
Great quality work
- Tasha Trigger
These guys helped me out on a time sensitive project. Very professional and responsive via email.
Highly Recommend
- Mekhalfia Group
Very helpful company, I highly recommend them. They helped our sister company Fiil e-motion with the best solution.
Speed Service
- Murali V
High speed service as stated.
Mace Group
- Mace Group
What impressed most was not only the quality and attention to detail, but also the professionalism, flexibility, and commitment shown by the team throughout the process.
Figure AI
- Figure AI
The parts you sent arrived in record time and they looked great.
Thorlabs
- Thorlabs
Many thanks to you and the team at Thompson for your support and assistance this year. We do appreciate the excellent job you have done. Would not hesitate to work with you again.
3P Innovation
- 3P Innovation
We carried out a trial order review on the parts you delivered and you have scored perfectly on the form! Really impressed with your work on this project for us, so thank you very much!
Bowyer Engineering
- Bowyer Engineering
Just a quick note to thank you for the big plate you manufactured for me. It all fitted perfectly, and it would have been a disaster for me if it hadn’t been correct or delivered late.
Get in Touch
Machining Complex Parts with CNC
Using 3 and 5 Axis CNC Machines with a bed-size of up to 2.5 x 1.5m, as well as CNC lathes for precision turned parts, we can accurately machine complex shapes quickly and regularly work with material suppliers to source a wide range of standard and non-standard grades and sizes of plastics.
We can also use our CMM-equipped Inspection Department to ensure every component we make is accurate to the customer’s data, and we can test-fit the part with other components to guarantee parts fit together as you require. We can also offer engineering expertise to solve any machining problems you may encounter during production.
Once machined, acrylic and some other plastics will require polishing to return them to an optically clear state. This is also a service we can provide in-house if required.
For more information on the wide range of plastics we machine, including acrylic and polycarbonate, contact us today on 01277 365500 or email [email protected].
Case Studies
CNC Machining of Large Hydraulic Manifold
The client required a large hydraulic manifold to be machined from a block of aluminium 1100 x 600 x 400mm. With the manifold needing to be machined to a high tolerance required by the client.
Electronics Enclosure
This case study was from a client who was very specific about the requirements for this electronics enclosure for the exact positional tolerances. It was a challenging job & one we completed to perfection.
High Precision Aerospace Fixture
The case study for this job was for an aerospace part that was no longer available to purchase. We had limited information to go on, but once again we finished this job to a very high standard.
Mechanical Prototyping of a Fishing Reel
The client for this case study had a new fishing reel concept that they wanted us to manufacturer so they could test it out before taking the design further.
Our Clients
