ACM Tooling UK Ltd, 13 Chestnut Avenue, Doncaster (2026)

11/05/2026

Calibrating Success in Plastic Extrusion: Shaping the Future, One Profile at a Time. ⚙️

In plastic extrusion, the die gets the molten polymer out the door, but calibration is where the magic happens. Right after the die, the hot, soft extrudate must be rapidly cooled and shaped to precise dimensions before it solidifies. Without effective calibration, you get warping, ovality, inconsistent walls, or collapsed hollow sections. Calibrators act as precision molds that guide, cool, and stabilise the profile.

1. Vacuum Calibrators ⬇️

These are the workhorses of the industry, especially for pipes and hollow profiles. The extrudate passes through a cooled metal block or tank where vacuum (typically applied through slots or holes) pulls the soft plastic firmly against the calibrator’s inner walls. This ensures excellent dimensional accuracy on outer surfaces.

2. Pressure (or Internal Air) Calibrators ⬇️

Internal positive air pressure pushes the material outward against the calibrator walls. These are useful for thicker-walled pipes or when external vacuum alone isn’t enough for precision.5

3. Wet Calibration ⬇️

Direct water contact or immersion provides aggressive cooling. Often combined with vacuum for hollow profiles to prevent collapse.

4. Hybrid/Combined Systems ⬇️

Dry vacuum blocks followed by wet sections, or contact tools with water wells. These balance cooling speed, friction, and surface quality.1

Large or complex profiles may use custom vacuum calibration tables with multiple blocks in series, separated by short annealing zones for even cooling.

Selection depends on several factors:

• Profile Geometry:

• Material Behavior:

• Line Speed:

• Precision and Surface Needs:

Choosing (and sometimes customising) the right system minimises scrap, maximises output, and ensures the final product meets tight tolerances every time.

Whether you’re extruding tiny medical tubing or massive structural profiles, the calibrator is the unsung hero keeping everything in shape—literally. Proper design, material selection, and process tuning here separate good extrusion from great extrusion

16/04/2026

◻️Episode 2 - Product showcase
◻️ UPVC Canadian white window frame.

I am showing you products we have manufactured the tooling for every Thursday 📆

15/04/2026

Did you know? We don’t just manufacture tooling‼️

At ACM, we offer so much more than precision tooling ☑️

We design, build, and supply the complete production line for your plastic extrusion and injection moulding needs — including:
• Injection moulding machines
• Extruders
• Guillotines & saws
• Dry vacuum & wet calibration systems
• Water baths & water tanks
• Haul-off units
• And the full “back 9” of downstream equipment.

From the initial tool to the very last piece of downstream automation, we deliver full turnkey operations — everything you need to get your production running smoothly and efficiently.

Whether you’re scaling up, modernising your plant, or launching a new product line, ACM has the expertise and in-house capability to deliver a complete, integrated solution.

At ACM, we don’t just make the tools — we make the entire process work.
Ready to discuss your next project?

Drop us a message or comment below. We’d love to help bring your ideas to life 😀

www.acmtooling.co.uk

16/02/2026

At ACM Tooling we are proud to say we don’t spend a single penny on traditional marketing.

Why? Because our customers do the talking for us.

In the plastic extrusion industry, we’ve got customers who’ve been with ACM Tooling for 10+ years. That kind of loyalty speaks louder than any advert or campaign ever could. For us, repeat business and word of mouth are everything.

Over the last 15 years, we’ve produced a huge amount of tooling – and less than 5%of those tools have ever needed tuning or had issues once they hit the factory floor.

That’s not by chance. That’s by design.

At ACM Tooling, we:
1. Commission and approve samples before the tooling and machinery ever hit the factory floor.
2. Aim to get it right first time, so our customers can focus on output, not rework.
3. Build long-term relationships based on quality, reliability, and trust.

We don’t have to “sell” ourselves too hard – the proof is in the tooling and in the customers who keep coming back year after year.

If you’re in the plastic extrusion industry and want tooling that just works, first time and long term, we're always happy to have a conversation.

Video attached is an overview of our factory.

22/01/2026

When you’re working with products like drainage systems, ducting, window profiles, brackets, covers and fittings for example, the choice of plastic is critical.

You’re not just picking a material. You’re balancing:

- Strength vs flexibility
- Indoor vs outdoor use
- UV and weather resistance
- Chemical resistance (cleaning agents, sewage, ground conditions)
- Cost and recyclability
- And for some projects: Flame‑retardant performance for use in commercial buildings.

Here are 9 common plastics used in injection moulding in our sector, and where you’ll typically see them.

1. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Used widely in drainage fittings, window profiles, conduit and trunking.

- Good chemical resistance
- Available in rigid and flexible grades
- Weather and UV‑resistant options for external use

2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Often used for, protective covers, clips and brackets.

- Tough and impact‑resistant
- Good surface finish
- Easy to machine and assemble

3. Polypropylene (PP)

Common in inspection chamber components, drainage accessories, waste and overflow parts.

- Lightweight but strong
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Good for clips, hinges and snap‑fits

4. Polyethylene (PE)

Seen in pipe fittings, caps, plugs and protective components.

- Good impact resistance, even at low temperatures
- Resistant to many chemicals
- Often used where durability and toughness matter

5. Polycarbonate (PC)

Used in transparent covers, guards, lenses and robust housings.

- Extremely impact‑resistant
- Can be clear or opaque
- Ideal when visibility and strength are both required

6. Nylon (PA)

Typical for mechanical parts, fixings, gears and robust clips.

- Strong and wear‑resistant
- Handles mechanical load well
- Can absorb moisture, so needs correct design allowance

7. POM (Acetal)

Used for precision components, moving parts and clips

- Very dimensionally stable
- Low friction and good wear resistance
- Ideal where parts move, slide or rotate

8. HDPE ( High density Polyethylene)

Is a strong, lightweight, and chemical resistant plastic used for packaging, piping, and household products.

- HDPE is one of the most recyclable plastics
- Water resistant, does not absorb water
- Weather resistant, can handle sun, rain, and many outdoor conditions

9. Flame‑Retardant Grades

For products installed in commercial properties, public buildings or where regulations are tighter, you may need:

- Flame‑retardant **PVC, ABS, PC or blends
- Materials tested to relevant fire and smoke standards
- Documentation to support compliance

Bringing It Together

Choosing the right plastic isn’t just a material decision – it’s a performance, compliance and lifetime cost decision.

30/12/2025

Project completed and ready to ship: a fully custom eaves and hips tooling package paired with a bath tank—manufactured exclusively from (2316) stainless steel for exceptional corrosion resistance and long-term reliability.

- fully commissioned with Pre delivery product samples ready for production. - Precision-built, quality-checked, and prepared for immediate delivery.

21/11/2025

We have had an exceptionally successful week at ACM. Our esteemed partner, Jessica, along with our skilled technician, Mr. Zhang, traveled from China to strengthen our business relationships here. During their visit, they had the opportunity to engage with our new clients at Hozelock fostering collaboration and understanding of their needs.

Additionally, they paid visits to our longstanding valued customers at Eagley Plastics and Louvolite, further reinforcing our commitment to sustained partnerships and continued service excellence.

This visit underscores our dedication to maintaining close connections with both new and established clients, ensuring that ACM continues to deliver the highest standards of service and support.

30/10/2025

Hi there,

We've been a bit quiet lately because we've been swamped with enquiries – which is fantastic news!

Please find attached our brand-new, updated brochure. If you'd like a copy, just let us know and we can send it to you via email.

Thank you,

Jason & Carl
[email protected]

24/09/2025

What is Co-Extrusion?

Co-extrusion is a manufacturing process in which two or more layers of materials are extruded simultaneously through a single die. This technique allows multiple materials or several formulations—each with unique properties—to be combined into a single, unified product. The resulting composite structure can offer enhanced performance characteristics, making it widely popular in industries such as packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer goods.

Key Benefits of Co-Extrusion

1. Enhanced Product Quality and Functionality -
Multiple Layer Combinations: By combining different materials, it’s possible to tailor the properties of the final product. For instance, one layer could offer strength and durability, while another provides moisture resistance or improved visual appeal.

2. Cost Efficiency -
Using less expensive materials in inner layers while finishing with higher-quality or more aesthetic outer layers reduces overall production costs without compromising product quality.

3. Improved Performance and Durability -
Co-extruded products benefit from the unique performance strengths of each layer, such as UV resistance, flexibility, and strength, enhancing the lifespan and usability of the final item.

4. Design Flexibility-
The ability to incorporate different colors, textures, and materials simultaneously offers extensive design options, helping brands stand out in competitive markets.

Real-World Example:

An example of co-extrusion in action is a hosepipe demonstrated in a short clip. The process begins with a black layer made from a cheaper material as the base. Then, grey and yellow strips are applied simultaneously over this base. This finishing not only improves the product's durability but also enhances its visual appeal by using more desirable materials on the surface.

We are excited to be working on a new product with Hozlock that utilizes this very technology, but it hasn’t hit the market yet—so keep an eye out 👀

17/09/2025

Well Plastic extrusion and injection moulding are two core processes in the manufacturing of plastic parts—and each has its own unique charm and application.

Plastic Extrusion is like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube, but on a much larger scale. In this method, plastic pellets are fed into an extruder, melted, and forced through a shaped die to create long, continuous profiles such as pipes, tubing, or window frames. With a constant cross-section along its length, extrusion is highly efficient for producing items that require uniformity and durability across extended lengths. It’s all about creating a continuous product that can later be cut or formed as needed.

Injection Moulding, on the other hand, is the method behind many everyday plastic items—from bottle caps to intricate automotive components. Here, molten plastic is injected into a mould where it cools and solidifies into a specific, precise shape. This process is highly efficient for high-volume production because the mould can be used repeatedly to produce parts with fine details, tight tolerances, and complex designs that might be impossible to achieve with other methods.

Both techniques play vital roles in modern manufacturing: extrusion excels in creating long, consistent shapes, while injection moulding shines in making high-quality, complex designs at speed. Their versatility and efficiency have made them fundamental to turning innovative ideas into the plastic products we use every day.

ACM Tooling UK Ltd

11/05/2026

16/04/2026

15/04/2026

16/02/2026

22/01/2026

30/12/2025

21/11/2025

30/10/2025

24/09/2025

17/09/2025

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