UK Preferred Partner for Movex®
Norfolk-Based CNC Specialists Since 1991
Plastic & Metal CNC Machining Services UK
In-house CNC routing, milling and turning of engineering plastics and metals from our Norfolk workshop. Specialists in conveyor, packaging and food-processing components, with 30+ years of experience and short UK lead times.
3
CNC Routers
4-axis
Milling Capability
100mm
Bar Capacity (Lathe)
±0.05mm
Typical Tolerance
1991
Established
Our CNC Capability
Plastic & Metal CNC Machining Under One Roof
SL Plastics offers a complete in-house CNC machining service covering both engineering plastics and metals. Our Norfolk workshop houses three heavy-duty CNC routers for sheet plastic work, plus dedicated milling and turning teams using the latest 4-axis CNC mills, high-speed CNC lathes with driven tooling, and current-generation CAD/CAM software.
We work with OEMs, service engineers and end-users across the UK, machining everything from one-off prototypes through to scheduled production runs of repeat parts. Specialising in the conveyor, packaging and food-processing industries since 1991, we understand both the components and the environments they end up in.
Materials We Machine
Engineering Plastics & Metals
We hold extensive stock of the most-used engineering plastics and can source specialist materials to order. Below are the materials we work with most regularly.
Acetal (POM-C / POM-H)
Polyoxymethylene
Properties: High strength, low friction, dimensional stability, good machinability
Typical use: Sprockets, gears, conveyor wear parts, precision-machined components
Nylon 6 / Nylon 66
Polyamide (PA6 / PA66)
Properties: High wear resistance, good toughness, self-lubricating, impact-resistant
Typical use: Bushings, bearings, rollers, wear pads, structural components
UHMW-PE
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Properties: Excellent abrasion resistance, low friction, FDA-approvable grades available
Typical use: Wear strips, chain guides, side guides, food-contact components
PEEK
Polyetheretherketone
Properties: Extreme temperature resistance (up to 250C), chemical resistance, high mechanical strength
Typical use: High-spec valve seats, electrical insulation, aerospace and medical components
HDPE / PE 1000
High-Density Polyethylene
Properties: Tough, lightweight, chemical-resistant, easily machined
Typical use: Wear strips, profiles, food-grade components, machine guards
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Properties: Lowest friction of any solid, chemical inertness, high temperature stability
Typical use: Slide bearings, seals, low-friction wear surfaces, chemical processing parts
PVC / Cast Acrylic
Polyvinyl Chloride / PMMA
Properties: Easy to machine, good chemical resistance, transparent options for guards and viewing windows
Typical use: Machine guarding, sight glasses, signage, thermo-formed covers
Polypropylene (PP)
PP-H / PP-C / PP Copolymer
Properties: Lightweight, excellent chemical resistance, weldable, food-safe grades
Typical use: Tanks, chemical processing parts, valve bodies, machined fittings
Aluminium & Stainless Steel
Various grades to specification
Properties: Full metal CNC capability for brackets, fittings, shafts, and structural components
Typical use: Conveyor mounting hardware, shafts, brackets, stainless food-grade components
Working with a material not listed above? Contact us with the specification, we work with most engineering polymers and metals on enquiry.
CNC Processes
Routing, Milling, Turning & More
CNC Routing
Three heavy-duty routers for sheet plastic work. Ideal for guards, cut-to-shape parts, panels and large flat components.
CNC Milling (4-Axis)
4-axis simultaneous milling for complex 3D parts in both plastic and metal. Dedicated production line for scrolls and feed-worms.
CNC Turning
High-speed CNC lathes with bar capacity up to 100mm diameter through the spindle. Driven tooling and high-speed tool change.
Drilling & Tapping
Precision drilling, tapping and threading for components requiring threaded inserts, mounting holes or bored fits.
3D Profile Machining
Complex 3D profile machining including curves, compound angles and contoured surfaces from CAD drawings or reverse-engineered samples.
Finishing & Polishing
Edge finishing, deburring and flame polishing for acrylic and PVC parts where appearance and transparency matter.
Industries We Serve
Specialists in Industrial CNC Components
Since 1991 we have specialised in components for industrial production environments. This focused experience means we understand both the parts and the conditions they operate in.
Conveyor Systems
Sprockets, wear strips, chain guides, side guides, curve sections, feed-worms, transfer plates, and bespoke conveyor components for OEMs and service engineers.
Packaging Machinery
Change parts, scrolls, star wheels, neck handling components, container guides, and machined parts for bottling, filling and capping equipment.
Food Processing
FDA-approvable food-grade plastic components, stainless steel hardware, hygienic-design parts and washdown-resistant components for food and beverage production lines.
Container Handling & Automation
Custom guides, brackets, jigs and fixtures for container handling, automated assembly lines, inspection systems and material handling.
Quality, Tolerances & Lead Times
What Buyers Need to Know
Tolerances. Our standard machining tolerance is ±0.05mm on critical dimensions, with tighter tolerances achievable on enquiry depending on material and feature. We work to ISO standard hole and shaft fits as standard.
Lead times. Typical lead times are 1 to 2 weeks for standard machined parts, often less for urgent breakdown work. For repeat orders we operate call-off arrangements that guarantee next-day availability of regularly-used components.
Order quantities. No minimum order quantity. We machine prototypes and one-offs through to medium production runs. For larger volumes we provide bulk pricing based on batch machining efficiency.
Quality assurance. Every part is inspected before despatch. Detailed inspection reports available on request for safety-critical or regulatory components.
How to Get a Quote
- Send us your drawing - DXF, DWG, STEP, PDF or even a hand sketch.
- Or send a photo of the worn part if no drawing exists. We can reverse-engineer.
- We respond same working day with material options, lead time and price.
- Approve and we machine the parts to your specification.
- Quality-checked dispatch from our Norfolk warehouse.
CNC Machining + Movex Partnership = Complete Solution
Stocked Movex Parts + Custom CNC Machining
As Movex®'s UK Preferred Partner, we hold 1700+ stocked conveyor components for same-day dispatch. For parts that don't have a stock equivalent, our in-house CNC machining service produces custom replacements to your specification. This combination is what makes us a true single-supplier solution for British industry.
Explore the Movex Range →Frequently Asked Questions
CNC Machining Questions Answered
What CNC machining services do you offer?
We offer in-house CNC routing of sheet plastics, 4-axis CNC milling of plastic and metal components, and high-speed CNC turning with bar capacity up to 100mm diameter. We also provide drilling, tapping, threading, 3D profile machining, and finishing services such as flame polishing for acrylic and PVC parts.
What materials can you CNC machine?
We routinely machine engineering plastics including Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA6 / PA66), UHMW-PE, PEEK, HDPE, PE 1000, PTFE, PVC, Cast Acrylic and Polypropylene. We also machine metals including aluminium and stainless steel. For specialist materials not listed, we can source on enquiry.
What tolerances do you work to?
Our standard machining tolerance is ±0.05mm on critical dimensions. Tighter tolerances are achievable on enquiry depending on the material and feature being machined. We work to ISO standard hole and shaft fits as standard, with full inspection reports available for safety-critical components.
What is your typical lead time?
Typical lead times for standard CNC machined parts are 1 to 2 weeks. For urgent breakdown work we can often deliver faster. For repeat orders we operate call-off arrangements that guarantee next-day availability of regularly-used components from rolling stock.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No minimum order quantity. We machine one-off prototypes, small batches, and medium production runs. For larger volumes we provide bulk pricing based on batch machining efficiency. Prototypes and one-offs are charged at our standard rates with no setup penalties.
Do I need a CAD drawing to get a quote?
A CAD drawing (DXF, DWG, STEP) speeds up the process, but we can also work from PDFs, hand sketches, photographs of worn parts, or even physical samples for reverse engineering. Our team can advise on the best approach for your specific component.
Do you machine food-grade components?
Yes. We machine food-grade plastic components from FDA-approvable materials including UHMW-PE, HDPE, Acetal and food-grade Nylon grades. We also machine stainless steel hardware for hygienic-design and washdown environments common in food and beverage production.
Where are you based and do you ship UK-wide?
We are based in Thetford, Norfolk and ship machined parts UK-wide. Same-day or next-day dispatch is standard for stocked components and short-lead-time machining. International shipping is available on enquiry for export customers.
Ready to Quote Your CNC Machining Project?
Send us your drawings, sketches or even a photograph of the part you need. Our Norfolk-based team will respond the same working day with material options, lead time and pricing.
