Family-owned precision machine shop · Aurora, Illinois · Since 1986

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Materials · Industrial plastics

ABS machining

Custom ABS parts CNC machined to your drawing or sample: housings, covers, brackets, fixtures and prototypes in a tough, low-cost plastic. Machined in our Aurora, Illinois shop.

Quote an ABS part (630) 904-2525

ABS at a glance

Full name
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Known for
Toughness, easy machining and low cost
Common in
Electrical equipment, machinery and automotive parts
Colors
Natural (off-white) and black
Forms
Sheet and rod

Parts in ABS

ABS parts we machine

The parts we see most often in ABS, and why it suits each job. We machine any ABS part to your drawing or sample, listed here or not.

Need a different ABS part? Send the drawing, or the old part, and we’ll quote it. Request a quote

Is ABS right for the part?

Where ABS works, and where another plastic may suit

General guidance on how ABS behaves. If your drawing specifies an ABS grade or a PC/ABS blend, we machine to it.

Where it works

Impact
Tough, and takes knocks without cracking.
Machining
Cuts cleanly and takes a smooth finish.
Cost
One of the lowest-cost engineering plastics.
Size
Takes on little water, so it holds its size.

Where another plastic may suit

If the part needs Often used instead
Solvents Acetone and many solvents attack ABS. These resist them.
Heat ABS softens at lower temperatures than many plastics. These handle more heat.
Wear and sliding ABS isn’t a bearing plastic. These wear well against moving parts.

Precision in ABS

How we machine ABS

±0.002"–±0.005" On critical dimensions, depending on the plastic

ABS is stable, so it usually holds close size. Heat from cutting is what we control, so parts come off the machine to size. We confirm the critical dimensions with your quote.

  1. Heat

    ABS softens with heat, and a dull or fast cut can melt and smear.

    We use sharp tools and feeds that keep the cut cool, so edges come out clean.

  2. Burrs

    Cut edges can leave a fine raised burr.

    We deburr every edge, so parts are clean to handle and assemble.

  3. Coolant

    Some cutting fluids can crack ABS where it’s under stress.

    We use coolants that are compatible with ABS, or cut with air.

Grades

ABS grades

ABS comes in general-purpose, high-impact and flame-retardant grades, and as a PC/ABS blend. Name the grade on your drawing, or tell us how the part is used and we’ll suggest one.

Grade Typically used for
General-purpose Housings, covers and fixtures.
High-impact Parts that take harder knocks.
Flame-retardant Electrical parts, when your drawing calls for a flame-retardant grade.
PC/ABS blend Tougher, and handles more heat than plain ABS.
Polycarbonate When the part needs more heat resistance or a clear grade. Polycarbonate

Buyer questions

ABS FAQs

Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.

All plastics we machine

Polycarbonate is tougher, handles more heat and comes in clear grades. ABS costs less and machines easily. If your drawing specifies one, we machine to it.

Yes. We machine prototypes and short runs in ABS from your CAD file or drawing, so you can test fit and function in the same plastic before tooling.

Yes. We supply ABS sheet, cut to size when you need it, through our material supply service.

Getting a quote

Start with what you have

A drawing, a sketch or the cracked or broken ABS part itself. Our experienced team takes it from there.

Request a quote (630) 904-2525
When a breakdown can’t wait, ask about our expedited service