Introduction
PA, commonly known as Nylon, is a synthetic polymer with broad applications across many industries. The material is popular because of its good mechanical strength, stiffness, toughness, shock absorption and wear resistance.
Often seen as a universal plastic for producing mechanical structural parts, PA also boasts good electrical insulation and chemical resistance.
Surface Finish
Electroplating
Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common.
Bead blasting
Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications and can be followed by other surface treatments.
Manufacturability
Tolerance
- Standard: (+/-) 125 µm -Achievable: (+/-) 100 µm , (+/-) 50 µm
Wall Thickness
- The minimum wall thickness should be at least 1 mm for machined parts. - 2 mm is suggested for better strength and 2.5 mm for a rigid wall.
Pocket depth
- Pocket depth should be up to 3 times the diameter of the end mill
Engraving
- Engraving is preferable to embossing - For the clear, legible text consider fonts such as Arial or Gothic - Design letter strands with a width of at least 2 mm
Internal Radii
- The minimum internal radii possible is 1 mm - In general, internal radii dimensions depend on the depth of pocket being milled
Holes
- Use standard drill bit sizes - Minimum of 1 mm in diameter
Threads
- Use standard metric inserts - Smallest threaded insert possible is M2
Design Recommendations
Min Wall Thickness
0.5 mm
Min End Mill Size
0.8 mm (0.03 in)
Min Drill Size
0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Max Part Size
1200 x 500 x 152 mm [(x,y,z] (mill) 152 x 394 mm [d,h] (lathe)
Undercuts
Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles
Radii : Depth
Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter. For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x drill bit diameter.
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