Nominal Machining LLC

Nominal Machining is an Elk Grove shop founded in 2019 that specializes in CNC-machined engineered plastic parts. It also produces metal parts, and it writes its CNC programs directly from customer files.

Capabilities

• 5-axis CNC machining
• CNC milling and live-tooling turning
• Plastic welding and plastic strip forming
• Fabrication and cleaning
• Prototype and short-run production
• Simple to complex assemblies
• CMM inspection

Equipment

• Haas VF-3SS, VF-4SS and VF-5SS mills
• Haas UMC-500 5-axis mill
• Haas ST-20Y lathe with live tooling
• Zeiss Contura CMM; Keyence IM-8000

Materials

ABS, acetal, acrylic, CPVC, Delrin, HDPE, nylon, PEEK, PET, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PVC, PVDF, Teflon, UHMW and Ultem, plus aluminum, brass, copper and stainless steel.

Industries served

Aerospace and medical.

Quality & certifications

• ISO 9001 and AS9100D certified (site also uses the word “compliant”)
• ITAR registered

Request a quote

To request a quote from this shop, use the Request a Quote form. Tell us the part, material, quantity and deadline, and we will pass your request to the shop.

Machined Engineered Plastics in Elk Grove: Nominal Machining

Plastic is no longer a second choice material. Engineered plastics such as PEEK and Ultem are strong, stable and resistant to heat and chemicals, and they replace metal in many demanding parts. Buyers in Elk Grove who work in semiconductor, medical, aerospace and industrial fields increasingly look for a shop that knows how to machine them. Nominal Machining LLC is listed here for precision machining, 5-axis machining, plastics machining, PEEK, Ultem, plastic welding, CMM inspection, assembly and quality tags. This page explains what makes plastic machining different.

Why plastics need their own approach

Plastics are softer than metals, and they react to heat and stress. A part can warm up during cutting and change shape, or relax later and move after it is released from the machine. Good plastic machining uses sharp tools, careful cooling and plans for how the material is held.

PEEK and Ultem

PEEK is a high performance plastic known for strength and resistance to heat and chemicals. Ultem is another high temperature plastic with good stiffness and electrical properties. Both are more expensive than common plastics, so waste matters. Buyers should specify the exact grade, since different formulations exist.

5-axis machining

Five axis machining can reach complex shapes in a single setup. For plastics, that can mean fewer times the part is clamped, which lowers the risk of marks and distortion.

Plastic welding and forming

Plastics can be joined by welding, which fuses the pieces with heat, and some sheet and strip material can be bent into shape. These methods can create assemblies from several machined pieces. If your product needs joined plastic parts, describe the joint and the environment it must withstand.

CMM inspection

Measuring plastic parts requires a gentle touch, since a probe can deflect a soft surface. Buyers who need measurement records should state the features and the tolerance and discuss the method.

Programming from customer files

Many modern shops write their CNC programs straight from a customer’s 3D model. The better the model, the easier the quote. Send a native file or a common exchange format, along with a print that lists tolerances and notes.

Cleanliness and packaging

Plastic parts for medical and semiconductor uses often have cleanliness requirements. Tell the shop how parts must be cleaned, bagged and labeled.

Details to include

• 3D model and print
• Plastic grade and color
• Quantity for prototype and production
• Joining, assembly and inspection needs
• Cleaning and packaging notes

Metal when it makes sense

Not every part should be plastic. Some are better in metal. A shop that works in both can give honest advice. Buyers in Elk Grove can ask which material would give the best result for the application and the budget.

Thinking about total cost

The price of a machined plastic part includes more than the raw material. Programming, setup, machining time, inspection and packaging all add up. Expensive plastics make scrap costly, so a shop may quote a little extra for stock that is cut to size. Ask whether the quote includes material, and whether a larger order would lower the cost of each piece. Comparing quotes on the same terms makes the numbers meaningful.

To describe a part, use the Request a Quote form and we will pass your request along.

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