If you have ever machined aluminum successfully and then switched to plastic CNC machining, you probably noticed something frustrating:
The same program suddenly produces:
oversize holes
warped surfaces
melted edges
±0.2 mm deviation
We faced exactly this issue three years ago when producing POM (Delrin) precision gears for an automation customer.
The drawing tolerance was ±0.02 mm, but our first batch averaged ±0.08 mm — 4× out of spec.
After dozens of trials and real production adjustments, we reduced deviation to ±0.015 mm stable mass production.
In this guide, we’ll share the actual factory methods, tested parameters, and tooling solutions we use daily to improve:
plastic machining accuracy
dimensional stability
surface finish
repeatability
So you can avoid scrap and hit tolerance the first time.
Before fixing accuracy, you must understand the physics.
Plastics behave completely differently from metals:
| Property | Metal | Plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal expansion | Low | 3–8× higher |
| Stiffness | High | Flexible |
| Heat resistance | High | Easy melting |
| Chip removal | Stable | Sticky/stringy |
| Stress recovery | None | Elastic rebound |
Heat → expansion → oversize parts
Clamping → deformation → shape spring-back
Tool friction → melting → poor tolerance