ABS CNC Machining
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ABS CNC Machining
ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a widely used thermoplastic that has become common due to its relatively low cost and excellent toughness. CNC machining in ABS is a cost-effective way to cut parts into custom shapes without the need for expensive molds, particularly for prototypes, jigs and fixtures, and low-volume production.
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic is used in a wide array of industries due to its low cost, manufacturability, and exceptional mechanical properties. It is found in a vast number of consumer products and is also used extensively in the automotive industry. CNC machined ABS exhibits remarkable toughness, rigidity, and shock absorbance characteristics, especially for such an inexpensive material.
| Applications | Advantages | Disadvantages | Lead Time | Price | Tolerances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications Product housings, fixtures and jigs, vehicle dashboards | Advantages High-impact resistance, low cost, chemical resistance | Disadvantages Not viable for high-temperature applications, damaged by solvents, poor UV stability | Lead Time Starts at 3 days | Price Low ($) | Tolerances Standard ±0.010"; ±0.002" are achievable; sub-±0.002" are available after manual review |
General ABS
ABS has good dimensional stability, excellent impact strength, and is easily machined. This makes CNC machined ABS ideal for applications that require low-cost and hard-wearing parts such as tool enclosures and casings.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Rockwell R) | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) | Melting Point (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) 40.7 | Elongation at Break (%) 53.4% | Hardness (Rockwell R) 107 | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) 97.4 | Melting Point (°C) 267 |
Note: For reference only. Values can vary slightly depending on the grade and manufacturer.
Finishes
When working with our ABS CNC parts suppliers, machined ABS is typically available in beige (natural), white, and black colors. Other colors may be available through direct sourcing.
As Machined: CNC ABS parts are machined to specifications with minor tool marks or swirls on the surface of the material.
Bead Blast: For more matte parts, the surface can be bead blasted with fine glass beads to reduce shine. However, bead blasting plastics may cause uneven surfaces or may damage finely detailed features.
Cost-saving Design Tips
ABS is a very cheap plastic that is easy to machine and has excellent mechanical properties. To further save costs, engineers should avoid calling out excessively tight tolerances, as these can be more difficult to control in thermoplastics like ABS. Here are some other general design tips we recommend on CNC machined components:
Design features on the same axis planes: This will minimize the need for more costly 4- and 5-axis CNC machines.
Consistency is key: Keeping features such as internal corner radii and tapped holes consistent will also help save time and money on parts by reducing the need for tool changes.
Find more design tips in our CNC Machining Design Guide.
