[Plastic Parts for Electrical Insulation] High-Precision Machining of Bakelite, FR-4, UNILATE, and Other Materials

Technology & Services

Technoplast (Thailand) Co., Ltd. provides plastic machining for machinery and industrial equipment at its own factory in Thailand. In addition to insulating plates and insulating components made from materials such as Bakelite and epoxy glass (FR-4), we also have experience machining UNILATE components that require high hardness and wear resistance.

We can handle everything from a single prototype to continuous mass production, with machining sizes ranging from fingertip-sized small parts up to a maximum size of 100 × 1,000 × 2,000 mm. Standard dimensional tolerance is ±0.05 mm, and depending on the product shape and machining conditions, tolerances of up to ±0.03 mm can be accommodated.

After confirming the material properties, operating environment, and required precision, we provide integrated support from material selection through machining and inspection.

Table of Contents

• Machining Environment for Maintaining Stable Dimensional Accuracy in Continuous Production
• From Single Prototypes to Large Parts
• Characteristics and Applications of Bakelite, FR-4, and UNILATE
• Material Selection and Machining Conditions Based on the Application
• Local Manufacturing and Inspection System in Thailand Utilizing Japanese Machining Know-How

■　Machining Environment for Maintaining Stable Dimensional Accuracy in Continuous Production

For plastic components, it is important not only to keep the initial machined product within the specified dimensional tolerance, but also to maintain the same level of quality consistently throughout continuous production.

Plastic materials are prone to expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, and warping or distortion may also occur because of internal stresses in the material. Therefore, if the machining environment and inspection conditions are not stable, dimensional variation may occur during continuous production even if the initial product meets the required dimensional tolerances.

At Technoplast, the factory environment is controlled at 25°C (±2°C) to reduce material expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes.

After machining, coordinate measuring machines and image measuring machines are used to check the dimensions and positions specified in the drawings. By clearly defining dimensional tolerances, measurement points, and reference positions in advance, quality is managed using consistent criteria from machining through inspection.

■　From Single Prototypes to Large Parts

At Technoplast, machining without the use of molds allows us to accommodate a wide range of requirements, from a single prototype and high-mix low-volume production to continuous mass production.

Machining sizes range from fingertip-sized small parts up to a maximum size of 100 × 1,000 × 2,000 mm. We can also support a process in which a prototype is first produced to confirm the shape, assembly, and dimensions before moving on to mass production.

The standard dimensional tolerance is ±0.05 mm. Depending on the product shape, material, and machining conditions, tolerances of up to ±0.03 mm may also be possible. Details are determined after reviewing the drawings.

■　Characteristics and Applications of Bakelite, FR-4, and UNILATE

Bakelite, FR-4, and UNILATE each have different characteristics. It is important to select the appropriate material according to the electrical insulation, strength, wear resistance, and other properties required for the component.

Bakelite Used for Insulating Plates and Internal Machine Components

Bakelite is a phenolic resin-based material used in electrical insulation applications as well as various components for machinery and industrial equipment. It is a laminated material combined with base materials such as paper or fabric, and its characteristics vary depending on the base material and grade, making material selection according to the application important. Phenolic resin has properties such as heat resistance and strength and is widely used in industrial applications, including insulating plates.

Technoplast has experience machining insulating plates and insulating components installed inside machinery. We also machine cloth-based Bakelite for applications such as conveyor components.

FR-4 Used for Insulating Plates, Circuit Boards, and Jig Plates

FR-4 is one of the representative grades of glass epoxy laminate and is used for components requiring electrical insulation and mechanical strength, as well as for electronic circuit boards. Glass epoxy materials are widely used in various applications, including electronic circuit boards.

Technoplast has experience machining epoxy glass, including FR-4, and provides machining for insulating plates, components for electronic circuit boards, and jig plates for semiconductor equipment requiring dimensional accuracy.

UNILATE Used for Components Requiring Hardness and Wear Resistance

UNILATE is a sheet material made primarily from PET resin combined with short glass fibers, inorganic fillers, and other materials. It is manufactured by heat lamination pressing after extrusion molding and offers superior heat resistance, electrical properties, strength, and dimensional stability compared with general resin sheets such as nylon and polyacetal. It also has low water absorption and high rigidity and is suitable for machining.

It is used in a wide range of applications, including insulating plates, industrial machinery components, semiconductor manufacturing-related components, printed circuit board jigs, and transport pallets.

Technoplast has experience changing the material of components that were subject to wear due to contact with hard materials such as metal to UNILATE. By changing the material, wear was reduced, allowing positioning accuracy at the level of several tens of microns to be maintained over a long period.

■　Material Selection and Machining Conditions Based on the Application

Even for components with the same shape, the appropriate plastic material differs depending on the operating environment and required functions. Therefore, rather than making a decision based solely on the material name, it is important to consider the material and machining conditions after confirming electrical insulation, wear resistance, operating temperature, mating material, load, required accuracy, and other conditions.

If you provide drawings specifying the material, grade, quantity, operating conditions, measurement points, dimensional tolerances, and other requirements, we will propose materials, machining methods, and inspection conditions according to the required performance.

■　Local Manufacturing and Inspection System in Thailand Utilizing Japanese Machining Know-How

Since its establishment in 2014, Technoplast (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has had personnel with experience at Japanese machining sites stationed in Thailand to provide technical guidance locally. Thai staff are also dispatched to Japan for training in resin machining and quality control.

Plastic machining know-how developed in Japan has also been implemented in the manufacturing and inspection processes in Thailand. In addition to controlling the factory temperature, dimensions are checked using coordinate measuring machines, image measuring machines, and other equipment to help maintain consistent quality during continuous production.

Under this system, Technoplast carries out material selection, precision machining, and dimensional inspection entirely within Thailand and supports prototype and mass production of resin components requiring high dimensional accuracy and stable quality.

※For more details, please download the PDF materials attached to this article or contact us via the inquiry form at the bottom of the page.

■　Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can you produce just one prototype?
A1: Yes, we can accommodate orders starting from one piece. We can also support consultations involving confirmation of shape and dimensions after prototyping, followed by a transition to small-lot or mass production.

Q2: What level of dimensional tolerance can you accommodate?
A2: The standard tolerance is ±0.05 mm. Depending on the product shape, material, and machining conditions, tolerances of up to ±0.03 mm may also be possible. Details are determined after reviewing the drawings.

Q3: What sizes can you machine?
A3: We can accommodate sizes ranging from fingertip-sized small parts up to a maximum cutting size of 100 × 1,000 × 2,000 mm.

Q4: Can you machine Bakelite, FR-4, and UNILATE?
A4: Yes, we have machining experience with all of these materials. Bakelite and FR-4 are used for insulating components and other applications, while UNILATE is used for components requiring high hardness and wear resistance. We propose suitable materials after confirming the application and operating conditions.

■　Glossary

• Bakelite: A material used for insulating plates, internal machine insulating components, gears, conveyor components, and other applications.
• FR-4: An epoxy glass-based material used for insulating plates, circuit board materials, jig plates for semiconductor equipment, and other applications.
• UNILATE: A material with high hardness and wear resistance used for transport components, components in contact with hard materials, and other applications.
• Dimensional tolerance: The allowable range of dimensional variation from the dimensions specified in a drawing.
• Annealing: A heat-treatment process used to reduce residual stress and other internal stresses in resin, helping to limit warping, distortion, and dimensional changes after machining.

※For more details, please download the PDF materials attached to this article or contact us via the inquiry form at the bottom of the page.