CNC routing is a subtractive machining process in which a computer-controlled spindle drives a rotating cutting tool along a programmed toolpath to remove material from a workpiece. The machine operates on three or more axes simultaneously, producing two-dimensional profiles, three-dimensional contoured surfaces, pockets of controlled depth, and complex multi-feature parts from flat sheet, plate, or solid bar stock.

Unlike laser cutting (thermal) or waterjet (hydraulic), CNC routing is a mechanical cold-cutting process. This means no heat-affected zone at cut edges, no risk of thermal stress, and no material restriction based on thermal decomposition — PVC, CPVC, and other materials that cannot be laser cut are routed without any safety concern.

Plastic-Craft Products runs CNC routing on acrylic, polycarbonate, HDPE, UHMW, nylon, Delrin, PVC, CPVC, polypropylene, PEEK, phenolic, PTFE, Ultem, and Torlon — material range is a function of tooling selection and process parameters, not machine capability.

CNC routing is the correct process for parts requiring custom 2D profiles from sheet stock, combined profiling and face operations in a single setup, features that laser or waterjet cannot produce, or materials that cannot be laser cut.

Prototyping is a particularly strong use case — the process requires no tooling investment beyond standard cutting tools. A new design can go from CAD file to machined first article in hours or days, with no mold or tool cost. Plastic-Craft Products machines single-piece prototypes on the same equipment and to the same quality standard as production parts.

CNC routing typically achieves positional tolerances of ±0.005 to ±0.010 inch on profiled dimensions. Soft, flexible plastics like UHMW and polypropylene are more challenging than rigid materials like acrylic, phenolic, or Delrin.

Edge finish is determined by tool type, sharpness, feed rate, and spindle speed. Sharp carbide tooling produces a smooth machined edge appropriate for structural applications, assembly, bonding, and most visible applications. For acrylic requiring optically polished edges, diamond polishing or flame polishing is performed in-house as a secondary operation.

The most efficient path to a quote is a DXF or DWG file for 2D parts, or a STEP or IGES file for 3D parts, along with a dimensioned drawing specifying critical tolerances, required edge finish, material and grade, quantity, and any secondary operations (drilling, tapping, polishing, engraving).

For simple cut-to-size parts, a dimensioned sketch or written specification is sufficient. For parts being replicated from a physical sample, Plastic-Craft Products can work from the sample directly.

Material selection and thickness should be confirmed before quoting whenever possible. Plastic-Craft Products can advise on material selection as part of the quoting process, drawing on 90 years of application experience. Both single-piece prototypes and production quantities are quoted on the same no-minimum basis.