Thread: Need CNC acrylic parts made (some of them large) -- shop recs?

I have some low-volume acrylic parts to make and am looking for a shop with strong plastics CNC machining experience (not routing). My largest part is on the order of 18" wide, 96" long, and 1" thick. Parts are for a consumer product so final appearance is important. Tolerances are nothing extreme. I have drawings & Solidworks models.

I'm in NYC so location within a few hours drive would be ideal (but not required). Secondary services (polishing) in-house would be ideal.

Any recommendations of a shop with fair prices and good quality that really knows plastics/acrylic?

thanks a bunch,

Brandt

I buy plastic from Boedeker Plastic Inc. They would not be close to you, but they have CNC machine tools and the sales people are knowledgable and helpful. I assume the guys in the shop would be the same.
ww.boedeker.com

Thank you for the rec -- I've actually already submitted drawings to Boedeker (it's been a couple of weeks, still no quote...).

I googled around looking for plastics shops that could make large parts, and found them. Is the ability to machine an 8' length of acrylic fairly limited in terms of the number of shops that can do it?

Originally Posted by sea-speak

Is the ability to machine an 8' length of acrylic fairly limited in terms of the number of shops that can do it?

YES! due to the fact you specified ''not routing'' , a 96" router isn't out of the ordinary, a 96" VMC with a vacuum table is.

Out of curiosity - why no routing?

hello we are a metal contract manufacturing company dedicated to tooling and fixture design located in south texas can you please send me the prints of the parts you want to qoute

thanks

I'm sorry if I suggested there was no routing on the parts -- I don't know if there is or not. My point is that the parts require 3D machining, not simply 2D cutting. In talking to some shops with 96" routers they tell me that they can only cut 2D/flat parts. Is that incorrect?

A competent supply place with a router can definitely do 3D in sheet plastics.

R

Any such competent router shops come to mind? Should they be cheaper at the same quality as a place with a VMC w/vacuum table?

There are many different types of CNC routers, and some of them are quite capable of doing relatively high definition 3D work. Even the low dollar CNC router company I worked for briefly had many models with full 3D capability, just not in anything harder than MDF or plastic. Try looking for a company that does large embossed sigh boards, they typically will carve them from sign foam using a CNC router.

The sign board idea is interesting, but I'm looking more for a shop that really knows acrylic well, as I want a very clean finished product (no ifs/buts/maybes).

I use Associated Plastics and Supply, Vancouver Canada for mostly panel work and always with great results. They have a router and do plenty of architectural acrylic and can do solvent welding, a possible option depending on the shape of your part. There must be great places like this close to New York but why not get it done 4500km away in another country because heck, this is the age of globalization!

R

A lot of sign age is done in acrylic! Shit ugly burred up sign age is not considered ok for obvious reasons! You really might do well to talk to some places rather than assume there all incompetent!

So far, two good suggestions (Boedeker and Associated Plastics). Anyone know some similar shops in the midwest or on the east coast?

Originally Posted by sea-speak

So far, two good suggestions (Boedeker and Associated Plastics). Anyone know some similar shops in the midwest or on the east coast?

I sent you an email but not sure if you got it. You can contact me @ tim.cochrane@gmail.com.

Tim

Originally Posted by sea-speak

I have some low-volume acrylic parts to make and am looking for a shop with strong plastics CNC machining experience (not routing). My largest part is on the order of 18" wide, 96" long, and 1" thick. Parts are for a consumer product so final appearance is important. Tolerances are nothing extreme. I have drawings & Solidworks models.

I'm in NYC so location within a few hours drive would be ideal (but not required). Secondary services (polishing) in-house would be ideal.

Any recommendations of a shop with fair prices and good quality that really knows plastics/acrylic?

thanks a bunch,

Brandt

Brandt
Brandt,

I run a small plastics fabrication shop in upstate NY (Rochester/Syracuse area). We machine and fabricate Acrylic and other thermo-polymers everyday, this is our business. We operate with three CNC routers with bed sizes ranging from 60" x 97" to 60" x 120". We have the experience with cutting 1" thick and up to 3" thick acrylics. Based on you post it sounds like this would fit CCMI to a tee. As for polishing, we can tackle that several different ways. We can sand and buff or we can flame polish edges.
If you have drawings or solid files, that works best.

Please contact me if with any further questions or concerns.

Thank you,
Anthony Lewis

Brandt,

I never heard from you. I am your man when it comes to plastic. Everything you have mentioned in your above statements describes me. Please call or email me for further discussion.

Best Regards,
Anthony Lewis
CCMI Inc.
315-781-3270 - p
tony@ccmiplastics.com