Machining vs. Extrusions for Plastic Parts

Many engineers are in the habit of getting plastic parts like chain guides and wear strips extruded, assuming that it’s a quick and simple process. While that may have been the case pre-COVID, things have changed considerably since then, and extrusions are no longer as easy to source. 

How bad are we talking? We’ve seen 20-week lead times and 80’ minimum order quantities (MOQ), numbers that understandably shock engineers and buyers! Yes—it’s that bad. 

Fortunately, our Idaho machine shop can offer a much more reasonable solution for many parts: plastic machining services.

Plastic Machining Services to the Rescue

Left is an extrusion part right is a machined part

Our shop’s standard is to build to the specifications in customers’ drawings, but when we encounter an issue that we know is far from ideal, we like to present alternative solutions. 

So when a recent customer submitted a drawing specifying an extruded chain guide made from the proprietary HabiPLAST material, and we learned that the lead time and MOQ were unreasonable, our Idaho machine shop spoke up.

We explained to the customer that we would be happy to quote the project based on the drawing they had submitted but informed them that the material had a 20-week lead time and an 80’ MOQ. Or, as an alternative, we could easily machine their chain guide using a comparable 1” UHMW material we already had in stock on our shelves.

Truthfully, machining chain guides and wear strips is exceptionally simple for our Idaho machine shop. We can complete one of these parts in less than one hour…or you can wait 20 weeks for extrusions. Needless to say, the choice is simple for most customers. 

Choosing plastic machining services over extrusions also eliminates shipping costs and complexities. We used to buy extrusions for a customer at 100’ at a time. They had to be shipped LTL, which cost about $400. When we machine chain guides or wear strips, there’s no need to anticipate outrageous shipping costs. 

Considerations for plastic machining services vs. extrusions

Of course, some extrusion profiles are more difficult to machine than others. When in doubt, have a conversation with your manufacturing partner. 

When we’re machining the part from a raw material, we have greater control over quality and precision. However, be aware that machined parts won’t have a near-perfect finish like extrusions. 

Curious about leveraging plastic machining services as an alternative to extrusions? Let’s discuss your project!