Nylon bushings and bearing sleeves
Send the shaft and housing dimensions alongside the bushing drawing. Include the intended clearance, load, lubricant and the condition in which the bore must be accepted.
Nylon parts for guides, bushings and moving assemblies
6 part examples
Nylon gears and drive components
Tooth profile, module or pitch, pressure angle, bore and hub define a nylon gear. The cutting method and tooth inspection need to be agreed for the specific geometry.
Nylon guides and slide blocks
Mark the running face, travel direction and fixing points. Include the counterface material and cleaning conditions so the review covers how the guide is located and used.
Nylon spacers and support rings
Identify the faces that carry load and the bore that locates the ring. Add the fastening arrangement, clearance and any installed measurement needed before accepting the assembly.
Nylon wear pads and mounting blocks
Show the working surface, recessed fasteners and replacement limits. Give the load, movement and contact material instead of using “wear resistant” as the only requirement.
Nylon fixtures and locating components
Define the locating surfaces and how the part will be held. Include the inspection or assembly environment, especially when alignment needs to be repeated at another site.
Which nylon does your drawing require?
PA6 for general machined components
Extruded PA6 is an established engineering stock material for mechanical components. Its combination of toughness, damping and wear behavior makes it relevant to guides and bushings. [2]
- Include with your drawing
- Specify the exact stock grade, rod or plate size, color and moisture condition.
PA66 stiffness and thermal expansion
Among the listed natural grades, TECAMID 66 is modestly stiffer than TECAMID 6 (3,500 versus 3,300 MPa) but offers no stiffness gain over cast TECAST T (3,500 MPa). At 23–60°C, its longitudinal thermal expansion is 11 × 10⁻⁵/K versus 12 × 10⁻⁵/K for the PA6 grades. For the same length and temperature change, that means slightly less thermal growth, helping limit the change in a fit against a metal mate. We keep moisture conditioning with this fit assessment.[1]
- Include with your drawing
- Include temperature, sustained load and the approved PA66 designation.
Machined parts from cast PA6 stock
Cast nylon 6, often designated PA6G, is a stock-shape option as well as a material choice. A cast-nylon blank can still be finish-machined to your drawing; this is not the same process as injection molding a finished part. [3]
- Include with your drawing
- Confirm the cast grade, available blank and any supplier approval before quotation.
Filled and lubricated nylon grades
A filled or lubricated formulation needs its own material review. For example, a MoS₂-modified cast PA6 is a different product from an unfilled grade; do not assume that every dark nylon contains the same additive. [4]
- Include with your drawing
- State the exact formulation, counterface, lubricant, load and acceptance test.
Keep the full nylon designation on the order
A note that only says “nylon” leaves the PA type, stock route, additives and supply condition open. Send the current material specification and identify permitted alternatives. An equivalent color, family name or supplier description is not approval to substitute material.
Material options are for discussion, not a live stock list. Grade, source and available blank size must be confirmed for each order.
| Property | Extruded PA6 TECAMID 6 natural | Cast PA6 TECAST T natural | PA66 TECAMID 66 natural | Test condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.14 | 1.15 | 1.15 | — |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 79 | 83 | 85 | 50 mm/min |
| Tensile modulus (MPa) | 3,300 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 1 mm/min |
| Hardness (Shore D) | 79 | 83 | 82 | Shore D |
| Thermal expansion (×10⁻⁵/K) | 12 | 12 | 11 | 23–60°C, longitudinal |
| Water absorption (%) | 0.30 / 0.60 | 0.20 / 0.40 | 0.20 / 0.40 | 24 h / 96 h at 23°C |
Typical properties of the named stock grades; specify the moisture condition for dimensional acceptance.
Nylon Moisture and Fit
Measurement Condition
Polyamides can take up moisture from their surroundings. The effect depends on the material, part size, humidity, temperature and time. A dimension measured after machining should not be assumed to remain identical after storage or use. [5]
Select a measurement condition to include in your nylon parts brief.
CNC milling and turning for nylon components
Milling nylon guides, pockets and locating faces
Locating faces, load-bearing areas, tool access, part support and feature sequence affect milling. Pockets, radii and drilled passages need a matching model and drawing.
Turning nylon bushings, rings and sleeves
Bore size, outside diameter and shoulders define the fit with the shaft or housing. State the inspection condition, since installed running clearance is measured with the part in its housing.
Gear cutting, inserts and conditioning
Gear teeth, inserts, cross holes, conditioning and functional checks may require a separate operation or specialist support. Confirm what is included, who performs the work and which results accompany the parts.
Nylon tolerances and moisture condition
| Feature | Specification | Acceptance condition | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bores and bearing seats | Diameter limits; mating shaft/bearing | Specified temperature and moisture state | Separate loose-part and installed-bore checks |
| Guide faces and flat pads | Datums; flatness/parallelism; fixing arrangement | Defined support; no forced reshaping | Face measurements in specified support |
| Threads and inserts | Thread form; depth; insert specification | Specified assembly and torque requirements | Thread check; separate insert installation trial |
| Thin walls and deep features | Minimum walls; working surfaces; measurement points | Accessible features; no inspection distortion | Critical dimensions at identified points |
| Sliding and wear faces | Functional finish; mating material; motion | Defined operating and test conditions | Dimensional check; separate specified wear test |
| Condition-dependent dimensions | Accepted state; conditioning procedure; drawing revision | Required time or moisture state | Recorded measuring environment and conditioning state |
Confirm the tolerance on the actual part
Nylon tolerances depend on grade, geometry and service condition. The quotation confirms the agreed limits and measurement conditions.
What to show on a nylon component drawing
Describe the load and movement at the contact
For a sliding guide or bearing sleeve, provide the counterface, speed, load and lubrication. Include whether the load is continuous or intermittent and how failure would be assessed in a sample trial.
Show how thin or flexible sections are held
Mark the areas that may be clamped and any face that must remain untouched. Agree whether a flexible part is inspected free-standing, supported or assembled, and show the fixture where it affects acceptance.
Humidity, cleaning and storage conditions
For nylon parts, humidity, fluid contact, cleaners and storage conditions belong with the operating temperature. These conditions apply at each site of use, so the moisture allowance is set for your own operating environment.
Make the assembly drawing available
The assembly drawing defines fastening, interference or clearance, and installation access. Inserts and replacement access need to be resolved before part approval.
No review topics selected.
Nylon replacement parts and assembly checks
Wear-part replacement
A worn sample shows the wear pattern, not the target size of the new part. We distinguish working surfaces from unworn mounting references and record the old nylon part’s moisture condition before comparing its dimensions with new stock.
Mating gears and locating features
For a replacement gear or locating component, the retained gear, shaft and housing define the interfaces the new part must match. We check those unworn interfaces against the released drawing, rather than copying a worn tooth or bore size.
Fixture contacts and assembly access
When a contact pad is replaced, the retained fixture’s locating faces and clamping path still govern assembly. We preserve the intended support height and check access around the new pad, especially where earlier wear changed the contact position.
Controlled-use specifications
For food contact, electrical behavior or another controlled use, confirm the exact approved grade and required documents for the finished part.
Finishing nylon without changing the working fit
As-machined working faces
Specify roughness only where it serves a functional or appearance requirement. Identify the measuring area and distinguish a running face from a nonfunctional outside surface.
Deburred holes and accessible edges
Call out edge breaks, cross-hole intersections and any edge that must stay sharp. Agree the result without allowing deburring to alter a locating diameter or sealing feature.
Surface finish for nylon sliding contacts
Provide the drawing limit and counterface details. Discuss the finishing method for the selected nylon rather than assuming a decorative polish improves the working contact.
Cleaning, marking and packing
Specify allowed cleaners, marking location and handling restrictions. Include packaging and storage instructions where maintaining the agreed delivery condition matters.
Surface finishing, conditioning and functional testing are separate requirements. Specify each one when it is needed.
Material Records and Inspection
Match the stock to the released specification
Agree the PA type, manufacturer or approved supplier, formulation, color and lot information needed. A material certificate should identify the material actually supplied; alternatives require a separate approval.
Record the condition used for acceptance
Link measured features to the released drawing and inspection plan. Include the temperature, relevant humidity or conditioning state, support and sample quantity, so incoming inspection is not comparing two different acceptance conditions.
Approve functional checks separately
Wear life, load capacity and application approval are matters for functional testing. Define any conditioning check, assembly trial or other functional test with its method, limits and responsible party before production.
What changes the price of a machined nylon part?
The exact grade and available blank
Supplier designation, fillers, stock size and approved substitutions affect the material requirement. Ask for the approved grade to remain identifiable on the quotation.
Geometry and the number of setups
Deep pockets, thin sections and features on several faces require different machining work from small, accessible features. A complete model defines that scope.
Conditioning and acceptance work
A defined conditioning step, recorded dimensions or an assembly trial adds scope beyond cutting the geometry. Specify it before comparing quotes so each offer covers the same requirement.
Samples, batch size and future orders
Provide separate quantities for evaluation, the first order and repeats. Sample approval, inspection effort, packaging and planned changes can then be discussed for each stage.
From a nylon prototype to an approved repeat order
Send the drawing and application
Include a matching model, PA grade, quantities and the conditions that affect acceptance.
Agree the material and sample plan
Confirm substitutions, conditioning, inspection and the approval needed before a batch is released.
Review the sample in its intended assembly
Use the agreed measuring condition and document approved changes under a new revision.
Keep repeat orders on the approved revision
Confirm the grade, condition, records, packing and requested delivery again when reordering.
Questions about ordering nylon machined parts
Which nylon should I specify: PA6, PA66 or cast nylon?
Start with the drawing, load, temperature, environment and required records. PA6 and PA66 are different polymers; cast PA6 also identifies a stock manufacturing route. Specify a full grade rather than expecting a family name to settle the choice. Availability and suitability are confirmed for the actual order. [1] [3]
Does nylon absorb moisture after machining?
Yes. Polyamides can absorb moisture from the surrounding environment, and the effect depends on factors including humidity, temperature, part geometry and time. Agree the condition at measurement and the conditions expected in storage and use; do not assume a universal growth percentage. [5]
Do nylon parts always need conditioning?
Not every nylon part needs conditioning. Specify the required procedure and acceptance condition; review the stock grade, geometry and application before adding a drying or soaking step.
Is a nylon bushing accepted before or after installation?
The drawing and order should state that. Loose-part dimensions, installed bore and working clearance answer different questions. Provide the shaft, housing and assembly method and agree any installed or functional check explicitly.
Can I replace a named nylon grade with another color or brand?
Not without approval. Keep the original material designation and required properties on the drawing. A proposed alternative should be identified and reviewed separately, rather than treated as equivalent because it is also sold as nylon.
What tolerances can VETCNC quote for nylon parts?
Send the feature limits, geometry, PA grade and measuring condition. We review the machining and inspection requirements against the part. The agreed limits and measuring method should be stated feature by feature in the quotation.
Are nylon gears and wear parts supplied from a catalog?
These are drawing-based examples, not stocked product listings. Send the part drawing and application. For gears, include tooth data and required inspection; for wear parts, include the mating surface, load, motion and acceptance test.
Is CNC-machined nylon the same as an injection-molded part?
No. The service shown here makes custom geometry from a stock shape by machining. Cast nylon stock may be used where approved, but machining a cast blank is different from molding the final part. Send prototype and production quantities so the appropriate route can be discussed.
Can I request material declarations or a conditioning record?
Yes. List the exact declarations or conditioning records required. Confirm the selected grade, available documents, reporting scope and responsible party before ordering.
What should I send to get a nylon machining quote?
Send a matching CAD model and dimensioned drawing, the PA grade, quantities, working environment and critical fits. Add the condition at inspection, finishing, records, sample approvals and requested delivery. Agree confidentiality before sending restricted information.
Send your nylon drawing for a quote
- Matching CAD model and dimensioned drawing
- PA6, PA66, cast PA6 or the exact approved nylon grade
- Mating component, load, humidity and temperature
- Condition at inspection, critical fits and working surfaces
- Sample and batch quantities, records and requested delivery
Agree confidentiality and the transfer method before sharing sensitive or restricted files.
PROJECT SUPPORT
Discuss your nylon part
Share your drawing, material and quantity. Tell us what you need and we will reply by email.
Technical references and material notes
Manufacturer references for nylon grades and handling. Use the current documentation for the specified grade and application.
- Ensinger — TECAMID 6 natural, TECAMID 66 natural and TECAST T natural data sheets; Mitsubishi Chemical Group — Nylons as engineering plastics
Ensinger technical data sheets provide the tensile modulus and longitudinal thermal expansion for the named natural grades. Mitsubishi Chemical Group covers general PA6 and PA66 distinctions.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group — Ertalon 6 SA PA6
Example of a PA6 engineering stock grade.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group — Nylatron MC 907 / Ertalon 6 PLA PA6
Cast nylon 6 stock shapes and the distinction from final-part molding.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group — Nylatron GSM PA6
Example of a MoS₂-modified cast PA6; formulations are not interchangeable.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group — Ertalon 6 SA PA6 handling information (PDF, French)
Section 4 discusses storage, dimensional changes and moisture-dependent properties.
