High-Quality Custom Plastic Parts Delivered In Days | International Prototype Pricing Includes Tariffs | ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949:2016, AS9100D Certified | ITAR Registered
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Plastic can be processed via a wide range of manufacturing methods. One of the most cost-effective approaches is plastic fabrication, which encompasses techniques such as machining, precision cutting, bonding, welding, and thermoforming. EPTAHUB provides a custom plastic fabrication service that supports you in succeeding with any plastic fabrication project while upholding the highest quality standards.
The EPTAHUB Instant Quoting Engine® offers instant pricing, DFM (Design for Manufacturing) feedback, and lead times for custom plastic components. What you see is exactly what you pay. Tariffs are included in the pricing for internationally produced plastic prototypes.
Plastic fabrication refers to the process of shaping, forming, or bonding plastic sheets, tubes, rods, or bars. It does not include melt-processing methods like injection molding. The plastic fabrication process usually begins with consulting an expert. During this stage, the specific requirements of the part are defined. The initial conceptual design can be analyzed to check if it complies with relevant DFM guidelines. Operating conditions must be clearly understood, as they determine the most suitable type of plastic for the application. Typical factors to consider include operating temperature, chemical exposure, and load cases. Once these factors are fully evaluated, the design can be finalized and fabrication drawings created.
Based on the design, a variety of fabrication techniques and tools are available; the most common ones are listed below:
During the fabrication process and before the component is released, strict quality inspections are conducted to ensure the part meets rigorous quality standards. Typical inspections include material checks, dimensional checks, and general visual checks.
Plastic fabrication offers numerous advantages. Some of the most important ones are listed below:
A variety of plastics are available, each with a broad range of properties—this makes it easy to find the perfect plastic for your unique application. Specific plastics can also be further modified with additives to enhance UV resistance, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance. In addition to their physical properties, plastics can be formed using a wide range of techniques.
Plastics have densities around 1000 kg/m³, and some plastics have strength levels approaching that of aluminum. This makes plastic ideal for applications where low weight is a key design requirement, such as in the aerospace or automotive industries.
Certain plastics, known as commodity plastics, are highly cost-effective when compared to other construction materials like metals. When combined with common plastic fabrication techniques, this lower cost is further enhanced, as expensive tooling is not required.
Plastics are generally tough materials that can withstand impact loads without fracturing. Unlike metals, they do not rust or corrode. As a result, plastics are ideal for heavy-wear applications, such as those found in public spaces.
Some plastics can resist highly corrosive chemicals—substances that would quickly corrode metals. This makes specific plastics suitable for use in harsh environments, such as chemical processing facilities.
Certain plastics, like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene), have very low friction coefficients. This makes them ideal as protective, low-friction liners for metal chutes, such as those used in bulk materials handling applications.
Despite its many benefits, plastic fabrication has some drawbacks, which are listed below:
While some plastics can withstand relatively high temperatures, they are no match for metals and are not suitable for extremely high-temperature conditions. Plastics tend to experience accelerated creep when exposed to elevated temperatures.
Although some plastics have excellent overall chemical resistance, more common plastics often degrade when exposed to specific chemicals. Even plastics with strong chemical resistance, like PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), will develop stress corrosion cracking over time.
While plastics are tough, they are not as rigid as metals and will undergo creep at much lower temperatures than metals. For this reason, plastics are not ideal for heavy-duty structural applications, but they can still be used for light-duty structural applications where low weight is required.
Plastics are used in nearly every industry. Below are some examples of plastic fabrication applications:
Plastics are frequently used for product enclosures across various industries. Typical examples include consumer electronics enclosures, household appliances, and scientific instrumentation and equipment.
Plastic is often used for marketing displays due to its wide range of colors, diverse textures, ease of fabrication, and low cost. This allows advertisers to easily create eye-catching displays that maintain their vibrant colors while resisting long-term outdoor exposure.
Specialized plastic components can be produced to fit an unlimited range of applications. Some examples include gears, cams, and valves. Precise components can be manufactured using techniques like CNC machining.
Plastic is cost-effective and easy to work with, making it ideal for prototyping. Designs can be revised without the need for complex manufacturing processes or expensive equipment.
The low cost and durability of plastic make it ideal for packaging, as it can be used to protect fragile components or food items during transportation. Plastic can be formed into almost any shape to suit each unique packaging requirement.
Process tanks are often made from plastics due to their chemical resistance. For example, electroless nickel plating tanks are frequently constructed from welded polypropylene panels.
Plastic fabrication has a variety of applications, including use in the following industries:
Parts made through plastic fabrication don’t always meet the necessary temperature resistance and structural strength requirements. In such cases, metal fabrication can be used instead. Metal fabrication is particularly useful for heavy-duty equipment.
Wood fabrication is ideal for prototyping because it is easy to work with and can be lightweight—especially when compared to metal. Low-cost wood-like materials such as MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or chipboard are cheaper than plastic and also lightweight. However, wood has no thermal or chemical resistance.
Composites can produce lightweight, strong components and are a suitable alternative to both metal and plastic fabrication. Composites are primarily manufactured by laminating sheets of glass or carbon fiber over a mold to create complex shapes, and they are widely used in the aerospace industry.
Select from millions of potential combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.
Quickly get instant quotes for plastic fabrication services with our user-friendly quoting system.
EPTAHUB holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certifications.
Learn how to easily obtain an instant quote for Custom Plastic Fabrication services through the EPTAHUB Instant Quoting Engine®.
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Our automated quoting system gives you instant pricing so you can quickly estimate your project costs.
For high-precision or complex parts, our senior account managers can provide more detailed quotes and help you find the best overall solution for your needs.
