Full control for precisely machining plastics – with tool solutions from LUKAS-ERZETT.
Today, machining plastics is one of the key production steps in many industrial sectors – from automotive engineering, toolmaking and mouldmaking, through to lightweight construction engineering. Components made of thermoplastics, thermosets or fibre-reinforced plastics often have to be precisely finished after casting or deep-drawing. The low thermal conductivity of the materials, sensitive surfaces and sometimes abrasive fibre structures require extremely sharp cutting edges, clean chip removal and controllable machining processes. Tool manufacturer LUKAS-ERZETT offers tools that are specially designed to handle these challenges. Whether manual machining, stationary CNC applications or automated robot-based processes – the tool solutions from LUKAS-ERZETT help to produce plastic components efficiently, reliably and to a high quality.
Machining plastics with LUKAS-ERZETT tools: Material properties in focus, processes under control.
Machining plastics is especially challenging for tools and processes – challenges that tool manufacturer LUKAS-ERZETT has specialised in overcoming for many years. The product range from LUKAS-ERZETT, one of the technological leaders in the market for grinding, milling, polishing and cutting system solutions, offers tools for robotic, manual and stationary applications in the plastics machining field.
Low thermal conductivity plays a key role when machining plastics. Without suitable tools and harmonised machining parameters, this can result in melting, burr formation or surface defects. At the same time, many plastics are sensitive to mechanical stress, which is why controlled chip formation and clean removal of the material are especially critical.
Not only that, but plastics are found in various material groups. Thermoplastics can be moulded and reworked under exposure to heat, while thermosets remain dimensionally stable after being cured and can only be modified by machining them. Elastomers, on the other hand, are highly elastic, but sensitive to extreme temperatures. Each of these material groups has its own requirements regarding the cutting geometry, tool surfaces and process control.
Tools with extremely sharp cutting edges, low friction values and reliable chip removal are therefore crucial for the cost-effective machining of plastics. The milling, grinding and cutting tools from LUKAS-ERZETT are designed to meet these very requirements – so that plastic components can be manufactured precisely, reliably and with a high surface quality.
Precisely machine challenging materials like plastics and composites with tools from LUKAS-ERZETT.
Milling tools from LUKAS-ERZETT play a core role in the machining of plastics. Especially when trimming, contour milling or removing excess material after the moulding process, tools must work both reliably and gently. With fibre-reinforced plastics such as GFRP or CFRP in particular, cutting edges must be capable of handling abrasive fibres and changing material structures – a combination that places high demands on the geometry, cutting edge quality and tool life.
LUKAS-ERZETT has developed special milling tools for such applications. These include LUKAS burrs from the Composite Coarse and Composite Fine series, which thanks to their special tooth geometry are suitable for both removing material and precise contouring work. Their so-called fishtail tip allows users to drill and mill material using the same tool, which is particularly advantageous with manual applications or alternating machining steps.
LUKAS-ERZETT also offers suitable solutions for stationary applications or automated processes. One example of this is the LUKAS CarbonCut burr, which was specially developed for stationary milling on CNC milling machines. Its cutting geometry is designed to efficiently machine fibre-reinforced materials such as CFRP and GFRP without damaging or thermally overloading the sensitive laminate layers.
The decisive factor here is not just the possible removal rate. What counts most in practice is a stable and controllable machining process. This is exactly what the milling tools from LUKAS-ERZETT are designed for. They enable precise machining, clean cutting edges and reproducible results, both for manual work and in automated production processes.
Fine machining of plastic components – with tools from LUKAS-ERZETT.
LUKAS-ERZETT tools are also an excellent choice for finely machining plastic components. After milling or drilling the material, edges have to be deburred, surfaces smoothed down or contours finished – for example in the automotive, aviation or shipbuilding industries. In the automotive industry, for instance, additional holes or recesses for sensors, operating elements or fastenings are made in plastic parts that have already been manufactured for different equipment variants. Fine machining like this requires tools that work precisely while also minimising thermal stress on the material.
Flexible abrasives such as abrasive bands, rolls and caps from LUKAS-ERZETT are used for this purpose. They are especially suitable for the cleaning, light deburring, refining and surface and contour grinding of plastic components. The decisive factor here is that the tools do not overheat, even after long periods of use, and that they enable consistent machining.
LUKAS-ERZETT abrasive caps and sleeves are made of high-quality abrasive cloth and manufactured to fit perfectly on the corresponding abrasive cap mandrels. Combined with the appropriate carriers, this creates a system that enables controlled and precise fine machining of plastics, even in hard-to-reach areas. Especially in toolmaking and mouldmaking or small series production runs, this kind of machining helps to achieve the desired degree of functional and optical quality for plastic components.
Making machining plastics more efficient – with tools from LUKAS-ERZETT.
LUKAS-ERZETT helps you to efficiently machine plastics with a broad assortment of milling, grinding, polishing and cutting tools that have been developed for manual applications, as well as for stationary machines and automated robot systems. Where special requirements cannot be handled by standard solutions, custom tools are also created in close consultation with the customer. The experts at LUKAS will be glad to provide you with detailed advice. More information about tools and applications for machining plastics can be found at lukas-erzett.com.