ESD PTFE Bearing Holder: CNC Machining a Two-Piece Split Design

Engineering plastic components are often more complex than they appear.

This ESD PTFE bearing holder is a good example. Instead of being machined as a single component, the holder consists of two matching ESD PTFE parts that are assembled around the bearing and secured with screws.

The design provides the electrical characteristics of ESD PTFE while allowing the bearing support to be installed and removed without requiring a conventional one-piece housing.

Why Use ESD PTFE?

PTFE is widely used in industrial equipment because of its low coefficient of friction, chemical resistance and broad operating temperature capability.

For equipment where electrostatic charge needs to be controlled, ESD PTFE provides an additional advantage over conventional virgin PTFE.

Depending on the specific grade, ESD-modified PTFE can provide controlled electrical resistance while retaining many of the characteristics that make PTFE useful for demanding industrial environments.

Typical considerations include:

• Electrostatic discharge control
• Chemical resistance
• Low friction
• Low moisture absorption
• Electrical resistance requirements
• Compatibility with the operating environment

The exact ESD grade should therefore be selected according to the customer’s required surface or volume resistivity, rather than simply specifying “black PTFE.”

Why Use a Two-Piece Split Bearing Holder?

The split construction is particularly useful when installation conditions make it difficult to slide a conventional one-piece holder over a shaft or assembled mechanism.

The two machined sections can be positioned around the bearing and then mechanically secured with screws.

This structure can provide several practical advantages:

• Easier installation and removal
• Access to bearings during maintenance
• Mechanical locking using screws
• Custom geometry around existing equipment
• Replacement without redesigning the complete assembly

For custom industrial equipment, this type of structure can be manufactured directly from the customer’s drawing.

CNC Machining ESD PTFE

Machining PTFE requires a different approach from machining metals.

PTFE is comparatively soft and can deform under excessive clamping pressure. Dimensional control therefore depends not only on CNC machine accuracy, but also on appropriate workholding, tooling and machining parameters.

For a two-piece component, another consideration is the relationship between the mating parts.

The individual dimensions matter, but so do:

Fit / Alignment / Assembly / Screw Position / Final Bearing Interface

This is why inspection should consider the completed assembly rather than treating each machined part independently.

Watch the Machining Process

The video shows the actual CNC machining process used for this ESD PTFE component.

After machining, the two matching sections form the complete bearing holder and can be secured using screws.

Showing the actual machining process is also useful for customers evaluating a supplier for custom engineering plastic components—it demonstrates how the component is produced rather than showing only the finished part.

Custom ESD PTFE Components Made to Drawings

At Jiaxing Suntron Plastics Co., Ltd., we manufacture custom components from engineering and high-performance plastics according to customer drawings and specifications.

Materials we regularly machine include:

PEEK / PI / ESD PI / PTFE / ESD PTFE / UHMWPE / ESD UHMWPE / POM / Nylon

Typical components include bearing parts, rollers, guide wheels, bearing cages, gears, rings, insulators and other custom mechanical components.

For ESD applications, please provide the required electrical resistance range together with the drawing whenever possible. This allows the appropriate material grade and machining solution to be evaluated before production.

Need a Custom ESD PTFE Component?

Send us your drawing, dimensions, quantity, application and required ESD specification for evaluation.

Jiaxing Suntron Plastics Co., Ltd.
Website: suntronplastic.com
Email: sales@suntronplastic.com
Email: johnyang@suntrongroup.cn