The multifaceted world of processing plastics – Successfully create quality finishes with LUKAS tools

The CNC machining of plastics is one of the biggest machining application fields. Plastics generally have a significantly lower thermal conductivity than metals, for example.

Plastics are processed in practically every industrial sector. Plastic parts are typically moulded or drawn before they are finished. Machining is one of the most commonly used processing methods: drilling, milling, chafing and threading create the finished product.

In almost every industrial sector, the processing of plastics requires reliable machining tools with extremely sharp cutting edges and smooth surfaces for removing the plastic with little effort and quickly transporting it away. Ideally, the desired result is characterised by good surfaces on the workpiece and a long tool life.

The product range from LUKAS-ERZETT, one of the technological leaders in the market for grinding, milling, polishing and cutting system solutions, offers the perfect tools for robotic, manual and stationary applications in the plastics processing field.

Milling, sawing and drilling with just one tool? The LUKAS Composite Coarse and Composite Fine burrs convince with their exceptional versatility. In similar variants, they are designed for both machine and manual applications. The fishtail tip can be used for drilling and face milling, while the extra-long cutting surface of the composite burrs is suitable for sawing as well as milling. The Composite Coarse burr is characterised in particular by its durability, making it the ideal robot tool. The fine toothing of the Composite Fine burr, on the other hand, ensures precise usage and high ergonomics, especially when it is being used with a handheld tool.

Industrial milling of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics? Stationary high-tech carbon machining is no problem at all with the LUKAS CarbonCut burr series. The burr is perfect for the industrial stationary milling, sawing and drilling (dipping) of innovative and premium high-tech materials such as carbon fibre-reinforced lightweight materials, and produces a perfect surface and outstanding edges on the workpiece. The CarbonCut also displays its potential in the machining of other lightweight composite materials: This burr is ideal for processing GFRP (glass fibre-reinforced plastics) composites (layered constructions, honeycombs) and aluminium structures. The optimised chip removal with its extremely sharp cutting edges and low friction thanks to the thin, smooth and extremely hard high-performance coating is another convincing characteristic.

There is a differentiation made between three types of plastic materials: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers.

Above a certain temperature, thermoplastics can be moulded or bent, pressed, canted, or even cast. The thermoplastic retains its shape after it has cooled down, but can be deformed again by reheating it.

Thermosets, on the other hand, can be shaped just once. Afterwards, they can only be reworked by machining them, similar to wood.

As the name suggests, elastomers are elastic and spring back to their original form under pressure or tension. However, intense heat and cold destroy elastomers or make them fragile and brittle.

Special tools are often required for fine finishing work, particularly for small series runs or in model-making, as well as in the automotive industry. Here, depending on the equipment variant, holes and milled recesses for optional sensors or operating controls have to be made in prefabricated standard parts. These processes frequently also require flexible abrasives that do not overheat in use: abrasive caps, rolls or bands are well suited for this purpose. LUKAS abrasive bands are ideal for cleaning, light deburring, refining, surface and contour grinding, and for fettling. LUKAS abrasive caps and abrasive sleeves are made from high quality abrasive cloth and are manufactured to fit perfectly for exclusive use on the corresponding mandrels. You will find a large assortment of different tools with appropriate carriers for different purposes. Ideal for fine and ultra-fine grinding work, especially in hard-to-reach areas when machining plastics for tool engineering, mould-making and model-making.

Be prepared for every eventuality when processing plastics: the LUKAS-ERZETT product range offers you a comprehensive selection of milling, grinding, polishing and cutting solutions for stationary and manual applications, as well as for use with robotic systems.

LUKAS-ERZETT GmbH & Co. KG, based in the greater Cologne area in the Oberbergisch district, is one of the technological leaders in the manufacture of milling, grinding, polishing and cutting system solutions. It offers individual consulting services, as well as power tools and an extensive range of accessories.