We are specialists in the machining, fabrication and assembly of plastic components ranging from one-off plastic assemblies to high volume laser cut components. We have special expertise in the fabrication of clear acrylic components and assemblies.
We offer cost-effective profiling by laser cutting, With possibly the UK's widest range of plastic laser cutting equipment, we can work with virtually any acrylic material and thickness, as well as with selected polyester, polypropylene and plastic laminate films and sheets. Other plastic fabrication services we can provide include mechanical cutting, line bending, drape moulding, bonding, welding, polishing and heat treatment.
Our CNC controlled machining beds enable us to quickly and efficiently machine all plastic sheet and block material grades. We can perform laser profiling, routing, milling, drilling, turning and laser engraving.
We provide assembly services including mechanical assembly, insert fitting and product packing.
Examples of the products we have manufactured include control panels, machine windows, access doors, panels, covers, machine guards, lids, enclosures, wear parts and rigid isolation housings.
Materials with which we work include polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic, PETG, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, acetal, polyester, PEEK and PVC.
We are ISO 9001:2008 accredited for the fabrication and machining of plastic components.
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We provide plastic machining services using our 3-axis CNC-controlled machinery with 2.5D capabilities. This enables us to machine a wide range of plastic parts and components.
There are many different types of CNC machinery in use throughout the UK, and we chose our CNC machinery with care. The large bed sizes keep non-productive handling operations to a minimum, while the high speed spindles allow fast cycle times. This also enables us to produce mid-to-high volume and large scale components.
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Virtually any rigid plastic can be processed using CNC routing. It is the first step in the process of fabricating machine guards and other plastic parts, and CNC routing is also the best method of manufacturing flat panel-type components such as equipment housings and machinery windows.
Our CNC routing machinery enables us to machine materials up to 70mm thick, and features a generous 3x2 metre vacuum hold down bed; the largest available in the UK. Automatic tool changing and computer-controlled operation with rapid programming ensure a consistently high standard of results.
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We offer laser cutting and laser profiling of acrylic, polypropylene, mylar, and thin film laminates as well as other types of plastic. Laser cutting is efficient and quick with our CNC laser cutting machinery, with low-cost setups and no tooling costs. High quality, clean-cut intricate patterns can be made with ease.
Some of the applications for our laser-cutting services include industrial components, acrylic products and retail display components and acrylic profiles for screen printers and plastic fabricators.
Our machines are specifically designed for laser cutting plastic. We can process the following thicknesses of material:
- acrylic - 0.5mm to 50mm
- mylar - 0.1mm to 1.0mm
- polypropylene - up to 1.2mm
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There are many methods of bending plastic. Line bending facilitates the efficient creation of tight radius bends in most formable sheet plastic materials. Set up costs are low and no tooling is involved.
Straight bends are easily produced using line bending, and the process is normally used for making single or double parallel bends in the fabrication of objects such as equipment housings or rectangular covers. However, it is also possible to fashion fairly complicated forms with this technique.
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Although the term 'fabrication' can be applied to many aspects of sheet plastic processing, in this instance we are referring to fixing and polishing.
In addition to welding, we use two main processes for fixing plastic components together, chemical bonding and mechanical fixing.
Chemical bonding is fast, results in good mechanical strength and produces clean-looking joints. When superior mechanical strength is required, mechanical fixing with a wide range of mechanical fasteners can be used.
We use flame polish, buff polish and wet sand in edge polishing to give a neat finish to completed components, especially those made of acrylic.
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In addition to the manufacture of single components, we also provide our customers with a value-added assembly and packing service for machined, fabricated and brought-in components.
This can save time and money for our customers, as it eliminates the requirement of having their own assembly or packing operations, and normally the sub-assemblies consist mainly of components we have machined or fabricated. Our equipment, facilities and extensive experience in plastic component assembly enables us to produce high-quality assemblies at cost-effective prices.
Examples of the assemblies we have provided include desiccator cabinets, polypropylene and PVC equipment housings for chemical environments, and lab research isolation chambers.
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http://www.apt123.co.uk
