Engineering mechanical plastic solutions
Façade Creations manufactures and processes a wide range of different engineering plastics, which are primarily used in mechanical applications and as components in industrial machinery. In doing so, we have various in-house plastics processing methods and decades of know-how in the field of engineering and high-performance plastics at our disposal, enabling us to implement even the most demanding requirements with maximum precision. Façade Creations is therefore ideally equipped for the various fields of application in the wide area of mechanical engineering.
Material solutions for mechanical engineering
In the field of mechanical engineering, steel and metal alloys are traditionally used to achieve high mechanical strength and precision of components. However, metals are now often replaced by engineering plastics, as the latter offer a variety of advantages. It is often thought that high-performance plastics are too costly an alternative, but these particular materials can provide solutions where traditional materials fall short – offering more scope for improvement and progress. Façade Creations’ goal is to use engineering plastics to achieve better and faster operation of equipment and lines through optimised material combinations.
Plastics in mechanical engineering are often considered a convenient solution for mechanical components such as gears, supports, sliding elements, spacers, valve components and many other applications.
Manufacturing solutions for mechanical engineering
Machinery and equipment manufacturers are demanding more efficient, cost-effective and safer solutions. Façade Creations can accompany such product developments right from the start thanks to our comprehensive value chain in the field of engineering plastics.
Our extensive know-how is based on decades of experience, and our team is happy to provide support from the compound to the injection-moulded part, ready for series production, or from the semi-finished product to the high-precision machined finished part. The many possibilities offered by Façade Creations in the field of polymers and manufacturing processes create a high degree of flexibility depending on the requirements, with simultaneous knowledge transfer in all directions.
Get in touch with our Mechanical Engineering team
(However, if you prefer to speak to someone directly? Call our aerospace team or email us and we’ll respond promptly.)
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Benefits for Mechanical Engineering
- Corrosion resistance
- Lower weight, better performance
- Easier processing
- Cost saving
- Improved sliding properties
Corrosion resistance
Many environments, such as wet systems containing salt water, oxidisers and acids, or sterilisation and cleaning processes, can prove problematic for metals and require the use of special and expensive metal alloys. Conversely, these environments are harmless to most plastics. We can help you find the right engineering plastics for the conditions that require corrosion protection.
Lower weight, better performance
Plastics can have a slightly lower resistance compared to metals. However, their significantly lower weight brings great benefits to all moving parts. Plastic components remain functional at weights well below that of most metals. This results in reduced inertia and higher operating speeds. Furthermore, the energy required to operate the machines is significantly reduced.
Easier processing
Plastics can be processed efficiently by extrusion, injection moulding, compression moulding and other methods at temperatures of no more than 400°C in the worst case, to produce high-precision components with extremely tight tolerances. Most metals, on the other hand, require processing temperatures of more than 1,000°C. In the case of plastics, very high processing speeds and feed rates can also be implemented, enabling a significant reduction in the production time of mechanical components.
Cost saving
In addition to the advantages already mentioned, engineering plastics have a low weight and a low price per kilo. Furthermore, wear decreases due to corrosion resistance and optimised sliding properties, so these materials can not only simplify and improve your machines, but also save money.
Improved sliding properties
In some cases, lubrication of mechanical components is not possible because of the desire to avoid contamination. Other times it is difficult to implement because parts may be difficult to reach during maintenance, or perhaps because high temperatures prevail that cancel the effect of lubricants. In these instances, many plastics can be used in completely dry conditions while simultaneously offering excellent wear resistance.
Façade Creations – All From One Source
As a full-service provider for modern mechanical engineering solutions made of high-performance plastics, Façade Creations relies on a fully integrated value chain. Specifically adapted to the growing requirements of the industry, we produce a wide variety of polymer compounds in-house. These are processed into high-quality mechanical engineering applications at our sites using innovative plastics processing technologies. We supply semi-finished products, profiles, round rods or even injection-moulded blanks, and can machine these into high-precision machine components on request. Finally, we complement this offering with industry-specific know-how.
Finished and Semi-Finished Parts for Mechanical Engineering
- Customised tubes
- Injection-moulded parts
- Machined parts
- Profiles
Products for Mechanical Engineering
- Compounds
- Shapes
Material Solutions for Mechanical Engineering
Engineering plastics
Universal materials, unfilled versions of engineering plastics for mechanical applications.
Fibre-reinforced materials
Materials with high stiffness, improved mechanical strength and low thermal expansion thanks to reinforcement with glass or carbon fibres.
Impact-resistant materials
Impact-resistant materials for applications in which components are frequently subjected to impacts and must not crack.
Plastics with optimal sliding properties
Self-lubricating materials with special additives to reduce the coefficient of friction and improve wear resistance.
Get in touch with our Mechanical Engineering team
(However, if you prefer to speak to someone directly? Call our aerospace team or email us and we’ll respond promptly.)
Team Contact Form
Frequently Asked Questions on Mechanical Engineering Plastics
What are the main aspects to consider when replacing metal?
When changing from metal to plastic, the design of the component should normally be reviewed in order to maximise the benefits of using plastic. Particular attention should be paid to machining tolerances, different mechanical properties that may require design modifications, higher thermal expansion, possible deformation in the case of long-term applied loads (creep), and/or changes in properties with temperature.
Which plastic is the easiest to machine?
When searching mainly for ease of processing, the most natural and common choice is an unfilled acetal (POM) material. This material can be machined very quickly, without problems of swarf removal and without excessive fragility. When, in addition to easy machinability, superior dimensional stability and precision are also required, a natural PEEK-based material becomes the best choice.
How do I find the material with the best suitability for my application?
The best material for a certain application can be chosen after considering all main working conditions: whether the application is static or dynamic, temperature of use, mechanical loads, presence of external factors such as chemicals or exposure to UV, cleaning conditions, and so on.
If you need help choosing the right material for your application, our specialists are happy to advise.
