In the world of machining parts, aluminum is the most preferred choice due to its unique characteristics and properties- lightweight, highly malleable, and corrosion-resistant. And, to manufacture these aluminum parts, especially the complex designs, aluminum CNC machining has become the best method to ensure accuracy and high precision.
In today’s blog, we have shared a detailed guide on CNC machining for aluminum part production. Let’s get started.
What Is Aluminum CNC Machining?
Aluminum CNC machining is the procedure of manufacturing parts and components made of aluminum across all industries, from aerospace to automotive to electronic and healthcare spheres. CNC are the computer-controlled machines used for eliminating materials from a workpiece following a predetermined set of instructions to produce parts with high accuracy and precision. In this case, the process starts with creating the structure from a CAD design and interpreting it into a program understandable for the machine so one can instruct it to cut and shape aluminum workpieces according to the desired specifications for the finished part.
Aluminum CNC machining processes include multiple procedures, from CNC turning to CNC milling to CNC drilling. Speaking of the differences in these procedures, CNC turning removes the material from the aluminum workpiece against a cutting tool. On the contrary, CNC milling is used for removing material from the surface by a rotating cutting tool. Again, CNC drilling is used for designing holes in the aluminum workpieces.
What Are The Best Materials Used For Aluminum Cnc Machining?
Aluminum machining involves several aluminum alloys for specific properties suitable to required part production. Here are the most common aluminum alloys used for aluminum CNC machining:
Aluminum 6061
This aluminum alloy is the most preferred one for machining parts and components due to its high strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability.
- Window frames
- Bicycles frames
- Engine blocks
- Boat hulls
- Electrical connectors
7075 Aluminum
Its strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance make it a popular choice for aluminum CNC machining parts, especially in industries, from aerospace to transportation to defense.
- Camera parts
- Aircraft parts
- Surgical instruments
- Fuselage frames
- Boat hulls
Aluminum 6063
With excellent corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio, this aluminum alloy can be welded and formed easily.
- Bumpers
- Lighting fixtures
- Boat frames
- Aircrafts
Also, there’s aluminum 2024 and 5052 used for their fatigue and corrosion resistance and non-heat-treatable properties in the defense and aerospace industries. Here are the common applications:
- Wheels
- Armored vehicles
- Food and beverage cans
- Fuel tanks
- Decks
- Kitchenware
- Sheet metal parts and much more
Advantages Of Using Aluminum Cnc Machining
As mentioned, aluminum is the most popular material used for CNC machining parts during manufacturing because of its suitable physical properties. Its oxidized layers protect the mechanical parts and components from corrosion. That’s why it’s now widely used across the industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors.
#1: Easy Machining-
The CNC aluminum machining process involves folding, drilling, and punching, making it easy to machine any parts, even with complex shapes. Also, it uses lower energy compared to steel to form different shapes.
#2: Custom Finishing-
Aluminum is easy to customize after finishing according to clients’ requirements. You can give the Aluminum CNC parts a custom look by choosing colors as per your project’s needs and specifications- Black, green, and blue.
#3: Easy To Bend-
Aluminum is easily bendable, making it the most preferred choice for CNC machining. Unlike steel, you can make the best use of its thickness during the molding methods and turn the material with ease. Any complex shapes and designs can be achieved easily by processing and pressing.
#4: Cost-Effective-
Aluminum offers not just excellent machinability, allowing shaping and forming various intricate and complex CNC machined parts with high accuracy and precision, but affordability. For many applications, aluminum CNC machining is a reasonable alternative as it’s lightweight, cutting its overall manufacturing costs.
In Conclusion
CNC aluminum machining has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, especially in the case of complex part productions with accuracy and high precision. And, if you are looking for professional aluminum CNC machining services for your mechanical and industrial part productions, count on us. At Createproto Rapid System Limited, we are offering on-demand and rapid manufacturing for industrial part prototyping and production.
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