What is a CNC machining center?

A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining center is a highly automated, computer-controlled manufacturing tool used to perform various machining operations such as milling, drilling, and turning. These machines crank out complex components with minimal human oversight. With the ability to accommodate multiple tools and operate across multiple axes, CNC machining centers are all about adaptability and speed.

What is tool and die manufacturing?

Tool and die manufacturing provides the precision tools industries need to turn imagination into tangible results. With these tools, raw materials get a total makeover, emerging as sleek, high-quality products. Whether it's a precision aircraft part or a critical car component, skilled tool and die makers expertly operate advanced equipment, including grinders and lathes, to bring complex designs to life for industries that demand perfection. Crafting this workpiece from scratch calls for a rare blend of material know-how, sharp engineering instincts, and finesse on the machining floor.

How does plastic injection molding work?

To produce precise plastic parts, manufacturers turn to a time-tested process: injecting hot plastic into a custom-made mold that cools and solidifies the material. First, plastic pellets are heated to their melting point, transforming into a liquid state. The molten plastic is then injected with high pressure into the mold cavity. After cooling and solidifying, the mold is opened to eject the finished part. Mass-producing plastic components is a breeze with this process, thanks to its lightning-fast speed, pinpoint accuracy, and incredible shape-shifting abilities.

How do you become a tool and die maker?

A combination of book smarts, on-the-job training, and getting your hands dirty is typically what it takes to make it as a tool and die maker. Many start by completing a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by enrolling in a vocational school or technical college program specializing in machining, manufacturing, or engineering. To become a skilled tool and die maker, there's no substitute for the combo of in-class instruction and real-world training that apprenticeships offer. Want to supercharge your career? Top-notch CNC machining, CAD software, and metallurgy training can bring you up to speed - and make you a more attractive candidate.

How much does CNC machining cost?

Material selection, part design, machine runtime, labor expenses, and production quantities all play a role in determining the final cost of CNC machining. Simple parts with short machining times may cost as little as a few dollars per unit, while complex, highly precise components can range from tens to hundreds of dollars per piece. Custom prototypes typically cost more than mass-produced parts due to setup and programming expenses. For an accurate estimate, manufacturers usually request a CAD design and material specifications.

Injection Molding Materials: Choosing the Right Resin for Performance

Name: Barton Tool Inc
Address: 1864 Lyndon Blvd, Falconer, NY, 14733, US
Telephone: 716-665-2801

Aug 30

Written By KIM RIEHLE

Picking a resin usually happens early in a project, before the tooling is cut and before anyone's tested how the part actually holds up. Get injection molding material selection wrong at that stage, and you're looking at a part that cracks under load, warps in the field, or fails a spec review months later. We run into this decision point constantly in our Falconer, NY shop, and it's usually worth slowing down before committing to a resin.

Here's how we think through resin selection, and what actually separates a good choice from a costly one.

What "Performance" Actually Means for Your Part

Before you can pick a resin, you need to know what the part has to survive, not just what it has to look like. That means getting specific about the conditions it'll actually face in service.

Mechanical load: Is the part under constant stress, occasional impact, or repeated flexing, like a living hinge or snap fit?
Operating temperature: Will it sit near a heat source, outdoors in NY winters, or inside a housing that runs warm?
Chemical and UV exposure: Does it contact oils, cleaning agents, or fuel, or sit in direct sunlight for years?
Dimensional stability: Does the part need to hold a tight tolerance after molding, or is some shrinkage and warp acceptable?
Volume and cost target: A resin that's perfect for a 500-piece run isn't always the right call at 50,000 pieces.

Common Resins We Run and Where They Fit

There's no single "best" resin. Each one trades off cost, strength, and processability differently, and the right pick depends on the part in front of us.

ABS: a cost-effective, impact-resistant option that molds cleanly and takes color well. A common choice for housings and consumer-facing parts.
Polypropylene (PP): strong chemical resistance and good fatigue life, which makes it a frequent pick for living hinges and parts that flex repeatedly.
Nylon (PA): wear resistance and mechanical strength that hold up in gears, fasteners, and other load-bearing components.
Polycarbonate (PC): high impact strength and heat resistance, often specified when a part needs to survive rough handling or higher operating temperatures.
Acetal (POM): low friction and excellent dimensional stability, a common fit for precision gears and mechanisms that need to hold tolerance over time.

Why Testing Data Matters More Than a Spec Sheet

Resin data sheets give you a starting point, but the numbers on them come from standardized lab conditions, not your actual part geometry. Tensile strength figures, for instance, are typically generated using a method like ASTM D638, the standard test for tensile properties of plastics. That's useful for comparing resins apples to apples, but it doesn't account for wall thickness, gate location, or how your specific mold fills. That gap is exactly where an experienced shop earns its keep.

How Barton Tool Approaches Material Selection

We've been running injection molding jobs out of Falconer since 1970, and we're ISO 9001:2015 certified, so material selection isn't a guess on our end. It's part of a documented process.

In-house design review: our 3-D CAD-CAM team looks at part geometry and application before a resin gets locked in, not after.
Real industry experience: we've molded parts for automotive, electrical, communication, furniture, tools, toy, and kitchenware customers, so we've likely already solved something close to your application.
Tooling and production under one roof: mold design, tool build, and production run through the same shop, so material decisions made at the design stage actually hold up once the tool is cut.
We'll tell you straight: if a resin choice is going to cause problems down the line, we'll flag it before you commit to tooling, not after.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Material Choice

If you're weighing resin options for a new part, or inheriting a spec from a previous vendor that you're not sure is right, we're glad to take a look. We've been solving these problems for regional manufacturers in Chautauqua County and Erie County for over 50 years.

Call Barton Tool at 716-665-2801 or request a quote to talk through your part.

KIM RIEHLE