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In the realm of metal fabrication, milling stands out as the predominant method for material
removal. CNC milling machines, prized for their remarkable precision and accuracy, are frequently
employed in the cutting of various metals.
The outcome of milling varies based on factors like the type of material, its strength,
and hardness. Consequently, milling can yield diverse results and surface finishes. Certain metal
alloys, such as titanium, exhibit exceptional durability, enabling them to withstand even the
harshest environments.
Among the array of metal alloys suitable for milling are aluminum, copper, brass, zinc, bronze,
stainless steel, and standard steel. The process of metal milling encompasses shaping, cutting,
drilling, and tapping.
Product Details
Materials for CNC machining are typically classified into three major categories: plastics,
soft metals, and hard metals. Examples encompass aluminum, bronze, copper, ceramics,
plywood, steel, stone, wood, zinc, and various others.
Materials characterized by ease of manipulation and favorable properties are commonly
preferred over 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 | |
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 |
Titanium | Excellent strength to weight ratio, used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries |
Copper | High ductility and high electrical and thermal conductivity; develops attractive blue-green surface patina over time |
ABS | Excellent impact resistance, good mechanical properties, susceptible to solvents |
PEEK | High-performance thermoplastic, very high strength, thermal and chemical resistant |
POM | High stiffness, excellent thermal & electrical properties, relatively brittle |
CNC Machining Tolerances
Tolerances are not standardized across all processes and materials.
The final tolerances on your part depend on various factors, such as part size, design complexity,
the number and size of features, materials used, surface finish, and the manufacturing process
employed.
Once your order is confirmed, we conduct a Design for Manufacturing review to identify areas that
may need modification for better manufacturability.
It's helpful if you can specify which areas in your design have critical tolerances that must be met
and which can be adjusted, if necessary, to optimize production time and cost.
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. |
Common Applications of CNC Milling Parts
The following industries gain the most from CNC machining:
1. Medical 2. Electronics 3. Publishing
4. Transportation 5. Woodwork 6. Construction
7. Agriculture 8. Aerospace 9. Manufacturing
10. Automotive 11. Firearms 12. Metalwork
Company Profile
How Can I Lower the Cost of My Machined Components?
Costs associated with CNC machining can be categorized into machining time, start-up expenses,
material expenditures, and feature-related costs. To effectively reduce overall costs, it is essential
to comprehend the influence of these factors on the final expense.
1. One of the most effective means to minimize machining time is through the strategic design of
features that can be machined swiftly. This entails making choices such as opting for appropriate
radii for internal corners, reducing cavity depth, increasing wall thicknesses, limiting thread lengths,
and designing holes with standard dimensions.
2. To curb material costs, thoughtful consideration should be given to the size of the initial blank
required and the cost-effectiveness and machinability of the base material. Softer alloys, for instance,
tend to be faster to machine.
3. Start-up costs can be mitigated by minimizing the number of part rotations or repositioning steps
needed to complete the component. This can be achieved by dividing complex geometries into
multiple parts that can be subsequently assembled.
4. In terms of feature costs, it is prudent to employ tolerances only when absolutely necessary,
eliminate all text and lettering, and steer clear of multiple surface finishes whenever possible.
These measures collectively contribute to cost reduction in CNC machining projects.