What is Plastic Drilling?
Plastic drilling is a precision fabrication process used to create clean, accurately sized holes in plastic materials. It can involve standard drilling, countersinking, or counterboring – depending on the end use. At Dipec, we use pillar drills and specialist equipment to perform detailed drilling operations that complement and complete our other plastic fabrication techniques.
Whether it’s part of a bespoke prototype or a high-volume production run, drilling is often the final touch that ensures each component fits perfectly within its intended assembly.
Precision Plastic Drilling for Fabrication Projects
Plastic Drilling in Operation
Expert Plastic Drilling & Hole Finishing Services
- Precision Mounting Holes: Accurately positioned holes for seamless integration into larger mechanical or retail assemblies.
- Access & Ventilation Features: Clean-cut apertures for cabling, cooling, or internal component access.
- Countersinking for Flush Fixings: Expertly tapered holes that allow screws and fasteners to sit flush with the material surface for a smooth, professional finish.
- Counterboring for Secure Inserts: Cylindrical recesses designed to house bolt heads, washers, or threaded Tappex inserts for robust, demountable connections.
Integrated Fabrication Workflows
We don’t just drill holes; we integrate precision drilling into our full suite of services, including CNC machining, thermoforming, and line wire bending. This holistic approach ensures that every mounting point and access port aligns perfectly with your 3D profiles and formed shapes, delivering a final product that functions exactly as intended.
Precision Pillar Drilling
Countersinking/Counterboring
Accurate Hole Placement
Assembly & Fixing Support
Prototyping & Production
Bespoke & Volume Capable
Applications of Plastic Drilling
Our plastic drilling services support a wide range of products and sectors, from small acrylic panels to large polycarbonate housings.
Here’s a few examples of how our drilling capabilities are used across industries:
Retail & Commercial
- Fixing Holes for Signage
- Assembly Points for POS Displays
- Flush Mounting for Protective Screens
Engineering & Manufacturing
- Machine Panel Assembly
- Drilled Holes for Cable Routing
- Precise Openings for Component Access
Transport & Aerospace
- Panel Fastening Holes
- Component Interface Points
- Ventilation Access
- Various Parts & Components
Medical & Laboratory
- Apertures for Test Equipment
- Cleanroom-Compatible Fastening
- Holes for Dispensers, Shelves, or Brackets
Benefits of Plastic Drilling with Dipec
Choosing Dipec means you benefit from reliable plastic drilling services, either as a standalone process or as part of a full fabrication project.
Seamless Integration
We drill plastic components as part of a wider production process – meaning perfect fit and compatibility across every fabricated element.
Clean, Accurate Holes
Our pillar drilling machines ensure each hole is straight, clean-edged, and accurately placed to specification.
Drilling for Assembly
Whether your product needs countersinks, counterbores, or standard holes, we tailor each drilled section to support seamless construction or use.
From Prototype to Production
Our capabilities scale from individual samples to full-scale batch production with consistent quality.
Our Plastic Drilling Capabilities
At Dipec, we use high-quality pillar drills and custom jigs to ensure repeatable, accurate results across all plastics and part sizes.
Plastic Materials
We regularly drill the following plastic materials as standard:
Acrylic (Perspex®)
Polycarbonate
ABS
PVC
PETG
HDPE
Polypropylene
Nylon
Note: We can capably drill a wide range of other plastics. Unsure if a specific type of plastic can be drilled? Get in touch and our team will be happy to advise.
Supported Industries
Our plastic drilling services support a wide range of sectors, including:
- Retail Display & POS
- Engineering & Machinery
- Defence & Aerospace
- Education & Public Sector
- Healthcare & Cleanroom Environments
- Transport & Vehicle Components
No matter the plastic material or project scope, Dipec provides high-quality drilling tailored to your design and usage requirements.
Why Choose Dipec for Plastic Drilling?
As part of our full-service plastic fabrication offering, our drilling services are:
- Precision-aligned with your part design
- Carried out using expert-level jigs and pillar drills
- Fully integrated with our forming, machining, and polishing services
- Trusted by clients across multiple industries
- Delivered in-house with tight quality control
Need Expert Drilling for Your Plastic Project?
Contact Dipec Today for a Quote.
Plastic Drilling Process at Dipec
We review your drawings or CAD files to understand where and how each hole needs to be placed – factoring in use, fixings, and compatibility with other fabricated parts.
The plastic components are clamped securely, ensuring no slippage, cracking or distortion during drilling – critical for precise outcomes.
Using pillar drills, we create accurate holes, countersinks, or counterbores depending on the specification. Each pass is carefully controlled to avoid melting or warping.
All drilled parts are cleaned and deburred to remove residue and achieve a clean, professional finish ready for assembly or use.
A quality check ensures hole diameters, depths, and placements are to spec. Parts are then packed for delivery or continued fabrication.
Proudly Manufactured in the UK -
Expert British Plastic Fabrication
All of our plastic drilling work is carried out in-house at our UK-based facility. As a British manufacturer, we combine hands-on expertise with precision machinery and strict quality assurance at every step.
We’re trusted by clients across the UK for our craftsmanship, fast turnarounds, and integrated plastic fabrication service.
- In-house British manufacturing
- High-precision plastic drilling
- Clean, burr-free results
- Fully integrated fabrication workflows
- Scalable for one-offs or bulk
- Quality checked every step of the way
Get in Touch
Need drilled plastics as part of a larger fabrication project – or a single drilled panel to precise spec?
Contact Dipec today for a free consultation or no-obligation quote.
Plastic Drilling FAQs
Plastic drilling is a fabrication process used to create precise holes in plastic materials using pillar drills or specialist equipment. It’s often used for assembly points, access holes, or mounting features.
Yes – when done correctly with the right drill bit, speed, and support, plastic can be drilled cleanly without cracking or chipping. Using specialist tools like pillar drills ensures a smooth, damage-free result.
A sharp, high-speed steel (HSS) drill bit with a shallow point angle (typically 90-118°) works best for plastics. Step drill bits and brad-point bits are also commonly used for cleaner holes.
It can if the drill speed is too high or if the bit isn’t sharp. At Dipec, we use controlled drilling speeds and professional equipment to prevent heat build-up and ensure smooth, clean holes.
Common plastics suitable for drilling include:
Dipec has experience drilling all of these and more.
- Drilling creates a standard hole.
- Countersinking allows screw heads to sit flush with the surface.
- Counterboring creates a flat-bottomed hole for bolts or fasteners to sit below the surface.
We offer all three as part of our drilling service.
Yes – plastic can be drilled using a CNC machine for high precision and repeatability. However, for many applications, manual or pillar drilling is more efficient and cost-effective.
Yes – plastic drilling is one of our core capabilities and is often used alongside CNC machining, thermoforming, polishing, and wire bending to create complete fabricated products.
Yes, we can drill single components or small batches for prototyping, as well as high-volume production. Every project is tailored to your specific requirements.
Tolerances depend on material type and hole diameter, but in general, we achieve tight tolerances through jigging, precise marking, and controlled drilling techniques.
Absolutely. Once the thermoforming process is complete, we can drill accurate holes for fixings, ventilation, or access – ensuring they line up perfectly with your design.
Plastic drilling is widely used in:
- Retail & POS displays
- Engineering & manufacturing
- Transport & aerospace
- Medical & laboratory equipment
- Education & public sector fittings
Yes – we provide countersinking and counterboring services to suit flush-mounted screws or deeper fastenings, ensuring a clean, professional finish.
It depends on the application. Drilling is more cost-effective for larger or deeper holes, especially in thicker materials. Laser cutting is ideal for high-precision or complex shapes, but may cause edge burn in some plastics.
Yes – after drilling, we can polish plastic parts to remove burrs, smooth edges, and improve aesthetics, especially on clear materials like acrylic.