Selecting the Right Equipment for Different Materials

If one wants to efficiently produce cell phone cases, metal nameplates, and other products, selecting the right processing equipment is key.The book starts from the different characteristics of materials such as plastic and metal, and shares tips on selecting equipment, covering processes such as cutting, carving, and polishing. It helps you avoid purchasing mistakes and improve production efficiency.

Material characteristics determine the direction of equipment.

Before we select the processing equipment, we have to get to know the "personality" of the material.For instance, the acrylic and silicone used in mobile phone cases are soft and heat sensitive. If the laser power is too low, it won ’ t penetrate the material, and if the power is too high, it will burn the edges.But hard materials like metal nameplates cannot be engraved with a normal cutting tool, so they have to go to a CNC milling machine or a precision engraver.Don't try to use the same tool for everything.

Equipment for the processing of plastic products.

The case for mass production

For small-scale production runs, a US $ 1000 UV printer can handle the printing of the patterns.If you're making a large order, it's suggested you use an automatic injection molding machine with a laser engraving module, which will complete the injection molding and logo engraving in one go.I've seen manufacturers use regular engraving machines to make silicone molds. The results were terrible, with the material sticking to the machine. Later, they switched to a professional machine with a cooling system.

Machinery and equipment for acrylic crafts.

Don't be fooled by the transparent appearance of acrylic: it is easy to chip when carved.I recommend a CO2 laser cutting machine with a dust collection system, and 60 watts is the safest bet.Some customers have reported that the power of a certain brand of equipment gradually declines, and it was later discovered that the problem was in the heat dissipation design. So when purchasing equipment, the heat dissipation system must be carefully checked out.

Essential tools for processing metal products.

Three-piece set of metal name tags.

The CNC punch press is responsible for cutting out shapes and drilling holes, the engraving machine takes care of complex designs, and finally the electrochemical polishing machine gives the final finish.I once saw a novice polish a stainless steel nameplate with an ordinary grinding wheel, and the result was a surface full of scratches.In fact, the surface treatment of metals depends on the material: Sandblasting is best for aluminum, chemical polishing for stainless steel, and hand buffing for brass.

The secret to processing small metal parts.

Workshop-style production Don't rush to buy large equipment. The precision of many desktop CNC machines is already good enough.The last time I helped a friend choose a milling machine, I picked one that had an automatic tool-changer. It doubled the efficiency for doing small parts like key rings.Key point to remember: Metalworking produces a lot of dust, and you can't skimp on the dust-removal equipment!

Guidelines for avoiding pitfalls in equipment procurement.

Don't just look at samples; take your own material to test it out.I've come across cases where acrylic samples have been cut perfectly by a laser cutting machine, but when the machine is switched to a special material provided by the client, the machine immediately breaks down.The contract must specify the response time for after-sales service. For example, a machine stopped working at night. It was three days before service arrived. The whole production line was shut down.

The final word: Buying the equipment is just the first step. Regular maintenance is the key.I've seen too many factories that are reluctant to replace their consumables, and in the end have saved a small amount of money but lost a great deal.For example, if you try to squeeze a little more life out of a laser tube, the product quality will plummet.