When product developers and engineers need prototype parts that balance durability, clarity, и экономическая эффективность, CNC machining PET prototype parts emerge as a reliable solution. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a versatile thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability—making it ideal for prototypes in industries like consumer electronics, медицинские устройства, and packaging. This guide walks you through everything from PET’s key benefits to real-world applications, helping you make informed decisions for your prototyping projects.
1. What Are CNC Machining PET Prototype Parts?
CNC machining PET prototype parts are physical prototypes crafted from PET plastic using Computer Numerical Control (Сжигание) технология. Unlike additive methods like 3D printing, CNC machining uses a subtractive process: it carves the desired shape from a solid PET block, ensuring high precision and consistent quality.
Key Advantages of PET for Prototyping
PET stands out among prototyping materials for solving common challenges like cost, долговечность, и удобство использования. Here’s why it’s a top choice:
- Экономическая эффективность: PET raw materials are more affordable than engineering plastics like PPS, making it ideal for low-budget prototype projects.
- Mechanical strength: Offers good tensile strength (до 70 МПА) и воздействие сопротивления, suitable for testing functional parts like gear prototypes.
- Clarity option: Clear PET variants allow visual inspection of internal structures—perfect for medical device prototypes (НАПРИМЕР., fluid flow components).
- Химическая устойчивость: Resists water, alcohols, and mild acids, ensuring prototypes hold up in everyday testing environments.
- Ease of machining: PET’s low melting point (250-260° C.) and machinability reduce tool wear, lowering production costs.
2. Step-by-Step Process for CNC Machining PET Prototype Parts
Создание CNC machining PET prototype parts requires a structured approach to avoid errors like material melting or dimensional inaccuracies. Ниже приведен подробный, actionable process with tools and tips:
| Шаг | Подробные действия | Tools/Software Used | Критические советы для успеха |
| Дизайн & Программирование | 1. Create a 3D model of the prototype using CAD software. 2. Convert the model to G-code (машины инструкции) via CAM software. | Атмосфера: SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor CAM: Mastercam, Слияние 360 | Использовать parametric design to quickly adjust dimensions if your team requests changes. |
| Настройка машины | 1. Select a CNC machine (3-axis for simple parts, 5-axis for complex shapes). 2. Secure the PET block to the worktable with clamps. | 3-Ось CNC (НАПРИМЕР., Haas TM-1) 5-Ось CNC (НАПРИМЕР., DMG MORI) | Использовать мягкая челюстная зажима to avoid damaging PET’s surface—especially critical for clear PET. |
| Грубая обработка | Remove excess PET material at high feed rates to reach the near-final shape. | Large endmills (8-12мм) Скорость корма: 600-900 мм/мин | Keep cutting speed low (120-150 м/мой) to prevent PET from melting and gumming up tools. |
| Отделка | Use small tools for precise cuts to meet dimensional and surface quality requirements. | Small endmills (2-5мм) Скорость корма: 200-400 мм/мин | Применять сжатый воздух (instead of liquid coolant) to keep PET parts dry and clean. |
| После лечения | 1. Clean parts with isopropyl alcohol to remove chips. 2. Polish surfaces with 600-800 Грит наждачная бумага. 3. Inspect dimensions with a CMM. | Ultrasonic cleaner Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) | For clear PET, Используйте полировка соединения to restore transparency after machining. |
| Quality Check & Delivery | 1. Visually inspect for cracks, царапины, or deformities. 2. Verify tolerances (typically ±0.02mm for PET). 3. Package parts for shipping. | Calipers Visual inspection checklist | Document inspection results to share with your team for design validation. |
3. Реальные тематические исследования: CNC Machining PET Prototype Parts
To illustrate how CNC machining PET prototype parts solve real problems, here are two industry examples:
Случай 1: Consumer Electronics Charger Housing Prototype
A startup developing a wireless charger needed a prototype housing that was lightweight, долговечный, и рентабельный. Они выбрали CNC machining PET prototype parts for these reasons:
- PET’s low cost fit their tight budget (5 prototypes cost under $200 общий).
- CNC machining ensured the housing’s USB port cutout had precise tolerances (± 0,01 мм), so the port fit perfectly.
Результат: Прототип прошел тесты на падение (1.5м на бетон) без трещин. The startup used the design to secure funding and moved to mass production—saving 3 weeks of development time.
Случай 2: Medical Fluid Reservoir Prototype
A medical device company needed a clear prototype reservoir to test fluid flow for a new insulin pump. CNC machining PET prototype parts were the solution because:
- Clear PET allowed engineers to visualize fluid movement during testing.
- PET’s chemical resistance meant it didn’t react with insulin or cleaning solutions.
Результат: The prototype met FDA guidelines for biocompatibility. The company used the data to optimize the reservoir’s shape, reducing fluid waste by 15%.
4. CNC Machining PET vs. Other Prototyping Methods
Choosing the right prototyping method depends on your project’s needs. Below is a comparison of CNC machining PET с 3D -печати (FDM) and injection molding:
| Особенность | CNC Machining PET | 3D Печать (FDM) | Инъекционное формование (PET) |
| Время выполнения | 1-2 дни | 4-8 часы | 2-3 недели (tooling required) |
| Расходы (1-5 Прототипы) | \(30-\)150 за часть | \(20-\)80 за часть | $800+ (tooling cost) |
| Терпимость | ± 0,02 мм (высокая точность) | ± 0,1 мм (lower precision) | ± 0,01 мм (высокий, but inflexible) |
| Поверхностная отделка | Гладкий (Раствор 1.2-1.8 мкм) | Layer lines (Раствор 3.5-5.0 мкм) | Гладкий (Раствор 0.8-1.2 мкм) |
| Лучше всего для | Functional, low-cost prototypes with tight tolerances | Быстрый, Простые прототипы (НАПРИМЕР., скобки) | Массовое производство (1000+ части) |
For most teams, CNC machining PET prototype parts strike the best balance between cost, точность, and usability—especially for functional testing.
5. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on CNC Machining PET Prototype Parts
В Yigu Technology, Мы помогли 300+ Клиенты (from startups to Fortune 500 Компании) create CNC machining PET prototype parts. We recommend PET for projects where cost and speed matter without sacrificing quality. Our 3-axis CNC machines are optimized for PET: we use specialized endmills to prevent melting and offer 24-hour turnaround for urgent orders. For clear PET parts, our post-polishing process ensures transparency, critical for medical and electronics applications. Every PET prototype undergoes CMM inspection to meet your exact specifications—so you can trust the results for design validation.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
1. How much does CNC machining a PET prototype part cost?
Cost depends on size and complexity: маленький, Простые части (НАПРИМЕР., a 50x50mm bracket) расходы \(30-\)50, while larger, сложные части (НАПРИМЕР., a 150x100mm medical reservoir) расходы \(80-\)150. Quantity discounts apply for 10+ части.
2. Can CNC machining PET prototype parts be used for food-contact applications?
Да! Food-grade PET (compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1310) is available. We use food-safe cutting tools and cleaning processes to ensure parts meet food-contact standards—ideal for packaging prototypes.
3. What is the maximum size of a CNC machining PET prototype part?
Our standard CNC machines handle PET blocks up to 800mm x 600mm x 400mm. Для больших частей (НАПРИМЕР., 1200mm x 800mm packaging prototypes), we offer custom setups with our 5-axis machines.
