top of page
metal cut pieces

CNC ROUTING

CNC Routing and Plastic Machining for Industrial Applications

Are you looking for a company offering CNC cutting service in Quebec, Canada or United States ?

 

While Graphie is best known for its metal fabrication expertise, many industrial assemblies also require high-performance non-metallic components. To address this need, we offer dedicated CNC routing services focused exclusively on the precision machining of plastics and composite materials.

​

Based in La Pocatière, Quebec, Graphie supports manufacturers across Canada and the United States, providing reliable non-metal machining as part of an integrated, North American supply chain.

​

We utilize dedicated tooling and specific process controls to ensure the highest quality finish on non-metallic components. Using high-speed CNC routers equipped with industrial end mills, we machine complex geometries, pockets, and contoured features that thermal cutting processes cannot achieve.

Mechanical Machining with End Mills: A Cold, Controlled Process

Unlike laser cutting, which relies on heat to separate material, CNC routing uses a rotating end mill to mechanically remove chips. This cold machining process offers key advantages for industrial plastic components:
 

  • Material Integrity: With no heat-affected zone (HAZ), the plastic retains its original mechanical properties right up to the cut edge. This is critical for load-bearing components such as machine guards, insulating panels, and protective housings.
     

  • Chemical Safety: Certain plastics, including PVC, release hazardous fumes when thermally processed. CNC routing allows us to safely machine these materials without combustion or off-gassing risks.
     

  • 3D Machining Capability: End mills allow for pockets, recesses, chamfers, counterbores, and stepped features directly in thick plastic sheets or blocks.

Processing Dedicated Non-Metal Materials

Our CNC routing equipment is strictly reserved for non-metallic materials to prevent cross-contamination. We routinely machine:

​

  • Rigid Plastics: Polycarbonate (Lexan), Acrylic (Plexiglass), HDPE, UHMW, Nylon, and Delrin (Acetal).
     

  • Flexible and Semi-Flexible Plastics: Select thick-gauge materials that require the rigidity and control of a router bit rather than a knife.
     

  • Composites: Phenolic laminates (Bakelite) and fiberglass composites commonly used for electrical insulation and industrial panels.

Why Choose CNC Routing for Plastic Components?

  • Thickness Capability: While lasers may struggle with edge quality on plastics thicker than 1/2", our CNC routers can accurately machine plastic sheets and blocks up to 3 inches thick, depending on material and geometry.
     

  • Clean, Square Edges: Routing produces precise, perpendicular edges on materials like polycarbonate and HDPE, often eliminating the need for secondary finishing.
     

  • System Integration: Routed plastic parts are frequently combined with our metal enclosures, welded frames, and industrial identification solutions, ensuring perfect fit during final assembly.

Integrated Manufacturing and Supply Chain Reliability

As a vertically integrated manufacturer, Graphie routinely combines CNC-routed plastic components with laser-cut metal parts, welded sub-assemblies, sealing gaskets, and identification plates. This approach reduces supplier fragmentation, improves dimensional consistency, and supports both prototyping and low-to-medium recurring production runs for industrial OEMs.

FAQ

  • 01
  • 02
bottom of page