Custom polymer parts boost performance and cut costs

Design engineers can specify from a very wide range of engineering polymers, and Nylacast has published a materials brochure (8.7MB PDF) detailing the grades available, the advantages these offer over metals, and typical applications. For bearings or other components where a degree of lubricity is beneficial, the company has a downloadable Bearing Materials Comparison Chart (680kB PDF) to help engineers select the optimum grade for the component being designed.

Custom components manufactured from engineered polymers benefit from many value-adding characteristics, including self lubrication, low weight, and resistance to chemical attack, corrosion, wear and abrasion. As such, plastic parts are often suitable for use in arduous and demanding environments and applications. Typically Nylacast supplies custom components for the offshore oil and gas industry, construction equipment, rail applications, automotive suppliers, defence equipment, and companies in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Moreover, Nylacast is very versatile in its approach. Depending on the customer's requirements, the company can rapid-prototype and rapid-manufacture one-off or small batches, and machine complex components from solid. Large volumes can also be accommodated thanks to a machine shop containing over 40 milling machines (with up to 3.7m, six-axis capacity) and over 30 CNC turning centres.

Customers often find that they can save time and cost by ordering engineering polymer components directly from Nylacast, rather than sourcing the material and either machining the components in-house or relying on the services of external machinists. In addition, Nylacast's team of experienced engineers can provide advice to help improve the component's performance and remove cost. Involving these engineers at an early stage in the project can maximise the benefits, as design changes are always easier and cheaper to make before the detailed design progresses too far.

Follow the link to find out more about the advantages of custom polymer components, or contact Nylacast to discuss specific projects.