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Plastic Machinery Components: Should You Switch from Metal?

Written by Slideways, Inc. | Jun 14, 2017 6:09:00 PM

The benefits of standard plastic machinery components over their metal counterparts are numerous.

Today’s plastics are marvels of advanced engineering, just as strong and chemical- and heat-resistant as many metal alloys. That’s why standard plastic machinery components are a great option for many commercial and industrial processes, machines, and systems.

If you’re looking to source standard plastic machinery components, Slideways offers the broadest in-stock inventory of plastic parts available. If you’re still using metal components but are considering standard plastic machinery components, here are some compelling reasons to make the switch.

4 Compelling Reasons to Switch Machinery Components to Plastic

1. Plastic has more design flexibility

Advanced mold-injection technology makes it faster, easier, and more cost-efficient to produce standard plastic machinery components than ever before. Plastic machine parts can reduce lead times and special tooling costs.

2. Plastic weighs less

Reducing part weight through plastic offers several advantages. Standard plastic machinery components make finished assemblies and machines lighter and easier to move, install, operate, and maintain.

Plastic also gives you more parts per pound and weighs less to ship, offering more shipping options and significantly reducing shipping costs.

3. Plastic provides overall cost reductions

In general, machine manufacturers see an overall cost reduction when converting from metal to standard plastic machinery components. Engineered plastic parts and assemblies can often replace multiple metal components and fasteners.

Colors can be incorporated into plastic compounds, eliminating additional painting or marking processes and costs. Plastic machinery components may offer additional savings allowing for reduced energy consumption due to lighter weight and reduced friction.

4. Plastic offers new and improved polymers

Metal parts that were once thought of as being impossible to replace with plastic are now being manufactured in new, stronger, more durable polymers. Even many standard plastic machinery components can include added fillers and reinforcement materials that can improve structural integrity and add new, positive characteristics to plastic parts.

Dive in Deeper with a Plastic Machinery Components Specialist

If you’d like to learn more about standard plastic machinery components and how they can benefit your specific machinery and systems, contact the standard plastic machinery component specialists at Slideways.