Since 2010, Apex Machine Group has been an industry-leading manufacturer of innovative abrasive sanding machines and supplies across the United States and Canada. We engineered our advanced solutions to meet the unique demands of processing plastic and composite materials.
What Is Plastic and Composites Processing?
Plastic and composite sanding processes use abrasive tools to smooth, shape and finish these materials. They help eliminate imperfections, defects and excess materials. Plastic and composite processing is often used to prepare the surface for painting or bonding, improve aesthetic appeal or ensure precise dimensions.
Several methods are used for processing plastics and composite materials, including:
- Material calibration: This method involves precisely sanding a plastic or composite workpiece to achieve the desired thickness and flatness and meet exact specifications before further processing.
- Denibbing: Experts gently remove loose fibers, sharp edges and surface imperfections from materials using plastic and composite denibbing machines.
- Deflashing: For molded plastic components, a plastic deflashing machine efficiently eliminates unwanted flash and residual material left from the molding process.
- Finish sanding: This method is performed by machines that sand plastic and composite materials to achieve the perfect finish.
- Distressing and texturing: These surface-finishing processes allow you to create specific patterns or aged appearances on plastic products.
Challenges in Plastic and Composite Processing
Heat generation is one of the main challenges in processing plastic and composite materials. Unlike wood or metal, these materials can be sensitive to heat and abrasive contact, making it difficult to achieve a flawless finish without causing damage.
Improper sanding machines and techniques can also cause visible scratches and imperfections or damage the underlying fibers in composites. These setbacks can lead to material waste, process inefficiency and increased costs.
Innovative Machines From Apex Machine Group
Apex Machine Group offers several plastic and composite finishing solutions to help you overcome common challenges and achieve the best results:
- Wide belt sanders: Our wide belt sanders machine solid wood and composite boards to have a certain flatness and thickness. The stock is fed through the machine while the abrasive belt removes unwanted materials from the surface. You can pair a wide belt sander with a jointer to create square, accurate stock.
- Abrasive sanding machines: Our equipment contains belts with abrasive grains on a cloth, foam, paper or film backing. The belts are mounted on either rotating wheels or pulleys for surface sanding, grinding or finishing purposes. Three categories of abrasive belts include narrow belts for backstand grinders, file belts for handheld tools and wide belts for large, flat surfaces.
- Brush sanders: Our brush sanders remove loose fibers and break sharp edges from the top surface of the stock. They’re great for cleaning up the profile and evening the sanding of the surface, resulting in an even stain color, if needed.
- Belt/brush machines: This equipment is a contact belt unit with flexible sanding strips. The product is sanded by pushing it against the belt. Compared to sanding rollers, our belt/brush machines are more versatile, since two different types of sanding strips can be used. This tool is best for sanding heavier products without damaging the surface.
- Automatic conveyors: Our automatic conveyors on flatline sanding systems effectively remove loose plastic or composite materials after a molding operation.
- Flatline machines: Our automated narrow linear and wide flatline machines can destress or texture plastics and composites to create a rustic finish.
Why Choose Apex Machine Group?
Apex Machine Group is a trusted choice for quality abrasive sanding machines across industries, from aerospace to medical manufacturing. Our combined expertise stretches over 50 years, so you know your operations are in good hands.
Whether you want a sander for plastic or a plastic deflashing machine, we can configure your solutions to support your unique processing demands. Our team also offers the support you need, from the initial sale to ongoing machine maintenance.
Partner With Apex for High-Quality Plastic and Composite Finishes
Apex Machine Group provides a diverse selection of processing equipment, from composite sander machines to denibbing solutions. Our professionals have the experience and knowledge to deliver superior results every time. Contact us to see how we can help you with your plastic or composite project.