CNC Aluminum Machining: Basic Things to Know

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CNC aluminum machining involves several details that an operator must understand. It is not a simple process, although advanced CNC machine shops might make it look that way. Take Pioneer Cuts, for instance. Our aluminum manufacturing services are streamlined and specific to deliver on-time products with measurable precision.

Aluminum sheet metal comes in various grades, depending on the application and vendor. However, there are unlimited ways to machine aluminum alloys for commercial and industrial purposes. The automotive and aerospace industries rely heavily on CNC aluminum machining because of its versatile characteristics. Here are some exciting examples:

Aluminum is lightweight.
It’s flexible and easy to weld.
Production costs are low by comparison.
Aluminum corrosion resistance is excellent.
It has superior anodizing surface finishing potential.
Its electrical conductivity is perfect for countless projects.
The aluminum strength to weight ratio is superb for CNC machining.

You can count on CNC aluminum machining to produce accurate parts with minimal delays. However, shops must offer aluminum sand casting, and aluminum die casting services to provide the complete package. This is what else you need to know in the meantime.

CNC Aluminum Machining Basics

Legitimate metal fabrication specialists should let you choose which aluminum grade you prefer. Yet, they should also offer expert advice based on their knowledge of sheet metals and other raw materials. The type of aluminum you use must align with industry production standards and relevant ISO regulations. Be sure to ask your team for more information during the design phase.

Many CNC machine shops offer sand casting and/or die casting services for efficient aluminum fabrication. With die casting machines, they create high-precision components for various applications. Afterward, they’ll usually send it down the line for powder coating, shot blasting, sanding, and deburring. The required processes depend primarily on the design, tolerance, and lead time. You can request adjustments at this stage as well.

Aluminum parts are corrosion resistant, which means they’re less costly to fabricate. Although still a complex and dangerous process, operators don’t have to take as many precautions when machining aluminum. The reason is that lightweight yet durable alloys are less dense and more workable than many other materials.

TIP: If you’re looking for high-accuracy machining, check out CNC companies that offer aluminum casting services. You get a cleaner finish, which means fewer additional machining steps after the initial production.

The 5 Most Common CNC Aluminum Machining Processes

Whether they follow ISO standards for aluminum fabrication, CNC machine shops must still use proven techniques to create accurate parts. These are five of the most common aluminum machining methods:

#1. Facing

This approach involves creating a cross-section on the surface of the workpiece using various high-precision processes such as milling and turning.

#2. Pocketing

Pocket milling produces a hollow pouch in the aluminum without disturbing the surrounding surface.

#3. CNC Milling

This technique is perfect for large-scale projects because operators can fix the workpiece using feed motion and CNC machines with multi-axis cutters to ensure precision.

#4. CNC Turning

CNC machine shops can turn (rotate) a workpiece and use a single-point cutting tool to create precise cuts along the axis.

#5. CNC Drilling

Skilled operators use a multi-point cutting tool to form a hole in the material for different applications.

Different CNC aluminum machining methods have unique drawbacks and benefits. You must understand cause and effect before choosing the best technique. So, don’t forget to discuss details with your engineering team.

Benefits of Machined Aluminum Parts

CNC aluminum machining is crucial to many industries. Look at the automotive, aerospace, medical, and technology sectors for countless examples. Advanced metal fabrication offers options that make products more versatile than ever before. You can even use aluminum for rapid prototyping (RP) if you choose the correct approach.

Either way, your outcomes are bound to be more accurate. The result is usually better productivity across the board. CNC aluminum machining processes render high-strength parts with tight tolerances and adhesion to strict ISO9001 and AS9100 standards. So, you can begin distributing sooner without concerns about passing inspections.

Your team will also find it easier to transform aluminum sheet metal into desired shapes and sizes. The material is extremely pliable but durable enough to withstand unusual pressure. Meanwhile, aluminum alloys don’t lose their innate characteristics during the machining process. Thus, they require less energy than steel and titanium to fabricate.

Aluminum comes in different types. Each type is called a grade, which describes its chemical composition. Most precision CNC machining requires aluminum grade 6063, however. It offers the best balance of machinable properties and is less expensive to manipulate.

Clients can customize aluminum grades based on their project or industry requirements. The best alloy type will help improve the product’s finish. Yet, some aluminum types are easier than others to plate with color. This is where excellent communication with your CNC aluminum machining team is critical.

DID YOU KNOW: You can recycle specific aluminum grades more efficiently than others.

More Information about Aluminum Grades

All aluminum grades are corrosion-resistant metals. So, operators can use optocouplers when creating prototypes with 3D printers. The material also reduces signal noise to help keep the shop running smoothly. For many similar projects, CNC machine shops prefer grade 6061 because it offers high durability with maximum flexibility.

Aluminum anodizing can help boost corrosion resistance regardless of the grade. Anodization also makes adding color easier because it helps prepares the surface. CNC aluminum machining involves choosing the best grade materials for each phase. And that requires knowledge about how different grades interact or react to various machining processes.

CNC Aluminum Machining at Its Finest

Discover all the precision CNC aluminum machining possibilities when you contact Pioneer Cuts. We’re an ISO-certified metal fabrication facility with high-profile clients who can’t afford anything less. Our CNC machining services come with a quality and satisfaction guarantee. So, snag a 6-hour quote to determine the most reasonable approach.