CNC milling boasts several advantages when compared to alternative manufacturing processes:
1. Capable of producing high-quality parts in nearly any shape or form.
2. Cost-effective for prototyping and short production runs.
3. Attains high dimensional tolerances with precision.
4. Achieves smooth surface finishes.
5. Ensures repeatability by producing identical parts consistently.
6. Operates at high speeds, resulting in swift part production.
7. Versatile, accommodating a wide range of part shapes and sizes with a single machine.
8. Applicable to various materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.
9. Facilitates easy design creation and modifications through computer-aided design (CAD) software programming.
Product Details
CNC machining materials are generally grouped into three primary categories:
plastics, soft metals, and hard metals. This classification includes materials such as aluminum,
bronze, copper, ceramics, plywood, steel, stone, wood, zinc, and various others.
Preference is often given to materials that are considered easy to work with and possess
advantageous properties compared to alternative options.
Common Materials for CNC Machining | |
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 | |
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 |
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 |
Steel Mild Low Carbon | High machinability and weldability, high stiffness; good mechanical properties, machinability, and weldability at low cost |
Titanium | Excellent strength to weight ratio, used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries |
ABS | Excellent impact resistance, good mechanical properties, susceptible to solvents |
Nylon | Excellent mechanical properties, high toughness, poor moisture resistance |
POM | High stiffness, excellent thermal & electrical properties, relatively brittle |
CNC Milling Tolerances | ||
Limits for nominal size | Plastics | Metals |
0.5mm* to 3mm | ±0.1mm | ±0.05mm |
Over 3mm to 6mm | ±0.1mm | ±0.05mm |
Over 6mm to 30mm | ±0.2mm | ±0.10mm |
Over 30mm to 120mm | ±0.3mm | ±0.15mm |
Over 120mm to 400mm | ±0.5mm | ±0.20mm |
Over 400mm to 1000mm | ±0.8mm | ±0.30mm |
Over 1000mm to 2000mm | ±1.2mm | ±0.50mm |
Over 2000mm to 4000mm | ±2.0mm | |
*Please clearly indicate tolerances for nominal sizes below 0.5mm on your technical drawing. |
CNC Machining Applications
CNC machining exhibits remarkable versatility in the manufacturing of products composed of
various materials, including glass, metal, plastic, wood, and custom-designed components.
Machinists harness the capabilities of CNC machining to produce a wide range of prototypes and
products for diverse industries, such as:
1. Aerospace:
CNC machining contributes to the manufacturing of precise components for the aerospace industry,
meeting stringent requirements for quality and accuracy.
2. Automotive:
In the automotive sector, CNC machining is utilized to create high-precision components for vehicles,
ensuring reliability and performance.
3. Hardware Startups:
Startups in the hardware industry benefit from CNC machining for the production of prototypes
and custom-designed components, facilitating product development.
Company Profile
FAQ's
1. What tolerances can I achieve with CNC machining?
With CNC machining, our standard tolerances are set at 0.05 microns, catering to the needs of
most commercial and industrial applications. For special projects that demand even tighter
tolerances, feel free to consult with us. We are committed to accommodating unique requirements
and ensuring precision according to your specifications.
2. What size of fillets are added when no specific fillet is specified by the 3D model or drawing?
In cases where a specific fillet radius is not specified in the 3D model or drawing, fillet radii suitable for
easy machining will be added based on the machinist's judgment.
As a general guideline, internal vertical edge radii may exceed 1/3 of the depth, while internal horizontal
edges can either be left sharp or have a radius in the range of 0.5mm to 1mm.
Specific fillet requirements should be indicated if needed.
3. How Much Does CNC Machining Cost?
The cost of CNC machining a part is contingent on several factors, including:
1. Material: Different materials come with varying costs. Machining materials like Inconel are pricier
due to increased tool wear and slower cutting speeds compared to more economical options like
aluminum.
2. Complexity: Parts with intricate features incur higher machining costs. Complex surface shapes,
for example, contribute to increased expenses compared to simpler, flat surfaces.
3. Tolerances: Tight dimensional tolerance requirements contribute to elevated costs.
Needlessly specifying tight tolerances on non-critical features can increase CNC machining expenses
without added value.
4. Surface Finish: Achieving mirror finishes requires specialized tooling and strategies, extending
machining time and, subsequently, increasing costs.
5. Quantity: Low-volume production is inherently costlier per part due to the spreading of initial
setup and programming costs over a smaller quantity. Large-volume production offers cost
advantages as these setup costs are distributed over more parts.