CNC machining finds its best application in one-off manufacturing projects and in the
low-to-medium volume production range, spanning from several hundred to 1000 parts.
It stands out as the most economically viable option for the production of metal prototypes,
making it a preferable choice. Furthermore, CNC machining is the ideal selection when the
parts in question require exceptionally tight tolerances.
Product Details
Common Metal Materials for CNC Machining | |
Metal Material | Properties |
Aluminum | 2024: Good fatigue resistance and strength; excellent toughness at moderate to high strength levels; improved fracture toughness |
6061: Excellent machinability, low cost, and versatility | |
7075: High strength, hardness, low weight, and heat tolerance | |
Stainless steel | Excellent machinability and outstanding uniformity; good workability and weldability, high ductility and formability |
Steel Alloy | Mix of chromium, molybdenum, and manganese yields toughness, good torsional and fatigue strength |
Brass | Versatile and highly attractive copper/zinc alloy with warm yellow color accommodates severe forming/drawing |
Copper | High ductility and high electrical and thermal conductivity; develops attractive blue-green surface patina over time |
Titanium | Excellent strength to weight ratio, used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries |
Steel Mild Low Carbon | High machinability and weldability, high stiffness; good mechanical properties, machinability, and weldability at low cost |
Surface Finishes | ||
Name | Applicable to | Machining marks |
As machined | Metals, Plastics | Visible, light surface scratches |
Smooth machining | ||
Fine machining | Metals | Slightly visible |
Polishing | Metals | Removed on primary surfaces |
Bead blasting | Metals | Removed for non-cosmetic, removed on primary surfaces for cosmetic |
Brushing | Metals | |
Anodizing Type II | Aluminum | |
Anodizing Type III | Aluminum | Visible under anodizing |
Black oxide | Copper, Stainless steel, Alloy steel, Tool steel, Mild steel | Visible |
Powder coating | Metals | Removed |
Brushed + electropolishing | Stainless steel | Removed on Primary surfaces |
CNC Machining Applications
The utilization of CNC machinery extends across diverse industries, encompassing aerospace,
automotive parts manufacturing, medical machine manufacturing, transportation, defense, marine,
oil and gas, and electronics.
The incorporation of CNC machining has been transformative, allowing these sectors to achieve
heightened efficiency in the mass production of customized CNC parts. Whether in the creation
of intricate components for aerospace or the precision manufacturing needed in medical devices,
CNC machinery has become an integral component in advancing manufacturing capabilities.
Company Profile
FAQ's
1. How much do CNC machining materials cost?
The multitude of materials available for CNC machining introduces a range of costs,
influenced by the unique properties and characteristics of each material.
In the realm of metal parts, Aluminum 6061 is a standout for its economical pricing.
If cost efficiency is a priority, ABS takes the lead as the most budget-friendly option.
Importantly, the ease of machining is a key factor impacting costs.
Stainless steel, known for its hardness in comparison to aluminum, presents higher
machining complexities, contributing to an overall increase in costs.
2. What's the general surface texture of CNC milled and turned parts?
The surface texture of machined milled parts is commonly around 3.2μm (or 1.6μm for more
recent machines). In the case of turned parts, a finer surface finish is achieved, reaching a
roughness of 0.8μm. Notably, this enhanced surface texture in turning is accomplished without
the necessity of adjusting machining speeds.
3. The cost of CNC machining a part is shaped by a variety of factors, including:
1. Material: Material selection introduces cost variations, with materials like aluminum being
more economical to machine compared to others like Inconel, attributed to factors such as tool
wear and cutting speeds.
2. Complexity: Parts featuring intricate designs incur higher machining costs. The complexity
of surface shapes, for instance, significantly influences overall machining expenses.
3. Tolerances: The precision demanded by dimensional tolerances impacts CNC machining costs.
Imposing overly tight tolerances on non-critical features can lead to unnecessary cost escalation.
4. Surface Finish: Achieving mirror finishes demands specialized tools and machining strategies,
extending machining time and, consequently, increasing costs.
5. Quantity: Production volume is a key determinant of costs. Low-volume production tends to
be costlier per part, as initial setup and programming costs are distributed over a smaller
production run.