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POM Machining Guide: Tips and Best Practices for CNC Turning, Milling, and Surface Finish
Complete POM (Polyoxymethylene) machining guide covering CNC turning, milling, drilling, and surface finish optimization. Includes cutting parameters, tool selection, and troubleshooting for precision POM parts.
Introduction
POM (Polyoxymethylene/Acetal) is one of the most machinable engineering plastics. Its excellent dimensional stability, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and natural lubricity make it ideal for precision CNC machining.
POM Machining Characteristics
Key POM machining characteristics: (1) Low melting point (~165°C) requires careful heat management; (2) Natural lubricity reduces tool wear; (3) Excellent dimensional stability enables tight tolerances (±0.02mm achievable); (4) Sharp cutting tools are essential to prevent material tearing.
CNC Turning Parameters and Best Practices
Recommended turning parameters: Cutting speed 150-300 m/min, feed rate 0.05-0.15 mm/rev, depth of cut 0.5-3mm. Use carbide tooling with positive rake angle. Ensure adequate chip evacuation to prevent chip re-cutting.
CNC Milling: Tool Selection and Cutting Parameters
For milling POM: Cutting speed 200-400 m/min, feed per tooth 0.05-0.1mm, axial depth 1-4mm. Up-milling (conventional) is preferred over down-milling to prevent workholding issues. Climb milling can cause part movement due to POM‘s low stiffness.
Drilling and Tapping POM
Drilling: Use standard HSS or carbide drills with 118° point angle. Peck drilling is recommended for holes deeper than 3x diameter. Tapping POM requires modified tap geometry—use spiral point taps with increased relief angle to prevent material packing in flute valleys.
Surface Finish Optimization
Surface finish: POM can achieve Ra 0.4-0.8 μm with sharp tools and proper parameters. Dull tools cause surface tearing and poor finish. For optical-quality surfaces, diamond turning tools can achieve Ra <0.1 μm.
Conclusion
NAGOMER supplies POM sheets and rods in tolerance grades suitable for precision machining. Our POM-C (copolymer) offers better machining characteristics and dimensional stability compared to POM-H (homopolymer). Contact us for material recommendations for your specific machining application.
Contact NAGOMER today for a free sample and technical datasheet.