Aerospace engineers are increasingly turning to plastic parts over metal due to their lighter weight, better corrosion resistance, and increased safety with comparable strength and durability. The use of high-performance engineering plastics in aerospace design and construction has helped to streamline operations, ensure seamless applications, and provide companies with considerable savings over the lifetime of a part. But a plastic part is only as good as the company that machines it. There are four key factors to look for in an aerospace machining company.
How to Choose a Plastic Aerospace Machining Company
- Experience – The aerospace machining company you choose must have a proven track record in all CNC machining processes as well as key fabrication services (complex bending, threading, etc.). They must also be knowledge about aerospace plastics in order both to recommend the one that is best for your application and be capable of machining said plastic.
- Capabilities – Aerospace parts must be precise and capable of holding tight tolerances. CNC machining services deliver a high degree of accuracy, intricacy and replicability. At Reading Plastic, we offer CNC milling, turning, routing, and sawing, as well as die cutting and stamping. We also offer OEM part machining and custom fabrication services to turn your machined parts into assembled, finished products.
- Certifications – Proper certifications ensure that all work processes are repeatable, reliable, and thoroughly documented. A manufacturer should own all necessary inspection equipment and have quality control and compliance standards in place. Your aerospace machining company should also be able to produce lot- and batch-traceable parts that meet all regulatory requirements. All parts produced by Reading Plastic must pass a comprehensive, ISO 9001:2008-compliant quality inspection before shipping, and we are fully compliant with all FAA and Department of Defense standards.
- Not a primarily metal parts manufacturer – You should never choose a metals machining company to manufacture plastic parts due to the risk of contamination. It is nearly impossible to thoroughly clean machining equipment that has been used to make metal parts, and softer plastics could absorb metal fragments. This causes plastic degradation and eventual breakdown. There could also be contamination from oil-based cutting fluids, which cause degradation or non-compliance.
Reading Plastic Excels in Aerospace Machining
For over three decades, Reading Plastic Machining and Fabrication has been providing precision CNC aerospace machining with tight tolerances; plastic fabrication services that cut costs without sacrificing quality; and superior plastic knowledge and customer experience. We can help you choose the right specialty plastic for your project and deliver high-quality parts on time. With no minimum threshold, we can machine the parts you need in both low and high volume.
For more information on our aerospace machining capabilities, call us today at 610-926-3245.
