Top-Grade & Cost-effective Aluminum CNC Machining – CNC Aluminum Parts
Looking for reliable, quick-turn Aluminum CNC machining services suppliers and CNC Machined product manufacturers? With hundreds of advanced CNC machines, our unparalleled design and production capacity capabilities guarantee premier OEM Aluminum CNC Machined Parts to worldwide customers. At CNCLATHING – China Top CNC Machining Supplier, you can find comprehensive certified CNC machining process in aluminum materials (CNC aluminum milling, CNC aluminum turning, CNC aluminum Drilling) for rapid prototyping and low-volume production of end-use components or full item.
CNC Aluminum Machining
Aluminum is an essential industrial material and commonly CNC machined material, as it exhibits interesting thermal properties and excellent machinability, and is thus the preferred material in the most manufacturing sector in a wide range of industries. One of the main reasons engineers choose CNC aluminum machined parts is because the materials are easy to machine. While CNC Aluminum Machining may seem more beneficial to mechanical parts manufacturers, it also has significant benefits for the business of ordering parts and the end user who ultimately uses the aluminum machined products.
Benefits of Aluminum Material (CNC Aluminum Parts):
- Soft, lightweight, strength-to-weight ratio
- Tractable, malleable, machinability
- Durable, corrosion resistance
- Non-magnetic, non-flammable
- Anodization potential
- Resistant low temperature
- Electrical conductivity
- Recyclability
Advantages of CNC Aluminum Machining:
- Short production period
- Economical process
- Volume goes up the price goes down
- Accuracy of CNC Machining can be controlled
- Moderate level of intricacy
- Nominal to high tolerances
- Wide range of sizes can be machined
Cnclathing.Com – CNC Aluminum Machining Specialist
As one of professional CNC Machining manufacturers from China, Cnclathing.Com has own specialized technical staff and management team to design as your custom draws and samples, we have rich experience and understand each type of the Aluminum material characteristics. So we can offer you the best machining aluminum solution according to your requirements of Aluminum parts and products.
Product Description Of Our Aluminum CNC Machining Services
Advantages of Our Aluminum CNC Machining Services:
- Experience, accuracy, and powerful machinery
- Relatively stable CNC machining of aluminum
- Design and produce complex custom aluminum parts
- High production efficiency and cost saving
- Simultaneously realize various and large quantities of production
- Provides the clients with a high quality part in a comparable timeline
- Timely shipment, one-stop instant service
Can a CNC Machine Cut Aluminum?
Yes, several types of CNC machines can cut aluminum. Choosing the best CNC aluminum cut machine or method based on the material thickness, precision requirements, budget, speed, production volume, and more.
CNC laser cutting machine (laser cutter)
A laser cutter uses a high-power laser beam to melt, burn, or vaporize aluminum. Precise cuts with minimal heat-affected zones are made by computer-controlled operations, and high accuracy and repeatability can be achieved. The advantage of this machine is that it can provide smooth finish and avoid rough edges. Laser cutting is typically faster than CNC routers.
CNC plasma cutting machine (plasma cutter)
The working principle of a plasma cutter is to utilize accelerated hot plasma flow to cut through aluminum alloys. The plasma cutting process is budget-friendly and can achieve the required precision with a correct setup. It is suitable for cutting thick aluminum sheets and creating intricate shapes. A problem to note is probably the considerable heat, which requires cooling measures to avoid the material being wrapped.
CNC router
Rotating cutting tools are applied to machine aluminum on a CNC router, which works similarly to a mill. Milling machines and routers both operate at high speeds. It is recommended to choose a router when cutting aluminum materials with medium thicknesses.
Other Machines and Tools for Cutting Aluminum
Abrasive waterjet cutter
A good choice for cutting through hard metals, but also ideal for aluminum, as it produces clean and burr-free edges. In addition, the process is cold, with no risk of thermal distortion. Aluminum automotive components, aerospace structures, and complex aluminum artworks can be made with this machine.
Alloy saw blade
A commonly used tool for aluminum cutting, it has carbide-tipped teeth to realize smooth and precise cuts. Minimal burrs and high efficiency make it a popular choice for cutting aluminum sheets, bars and other fabrication works.
Shearing machine
It functions like large scissors; a straight-edged blade is used to cut aluminum. Shearing machines are good choices for the mass production of simple shapes because they are fast, have no heat, and have low operational costs.
What Is CNC Machined Aluminum?
CNC machined aluminum components or parts that are manufactured from aluminum materials by CNC machining processes like milling, turning, and drilling. This method combines automatic techniques and physical removal of the workpiece to create an exact product with complex geometries and tight tolerances.
Machined CNC aluminum parts have lots of excellent properties, including high precision, consistency, complexity, and efficiency. Typical uses of machined aluminum are aerospace engine parts, automotive engine blocks, electronics enclosures, medical devices, and more.
Machined Aluminum vs Cast Aluminum: What Are the Differences?
1. Manufacturing Process
Machined aluminum is fabricated using subtractive processes on CNC machines to cut extra materials from a solid block. Cast aluminum is produced by an additive process that involves pouring molten aluminum into a mold.
2. Material Structure
Machined aluminum has a uniform grain structure with minimal porosity, while potential porosity or inclusions exist in cast aluminum due to gas entrapment during cooling, and the grain structure will change based on cooling rate.
3. Design Flexibility
The machined aluminum is limited by some shapes, like undercuts or intricate internal features. Aluminum casting can realize complex geometries easily.
4. Dimensional Accuracy and Tolerance
Compared to cast aluminum, machined aluminum usually provides higher precision (±0.001″–0.005″) with tight tolerances.
5. Material Properties
Machined aluminum still keeps the strength of the base material, even though the surface may have slight work hardening. But casting defects like porosity may cause potential weakness to cast aluminum parts.
6. Production Cost
For machined aluminum, it is more cost-effective for low to medium volumes, and cast aluminum is more economical for high volumes.
7. Surface Finish
Machined aluminum has a smooth surface, and the cast aluminum surface is rougher, so the latter usually requires machining or sanding for finishing.
8. Applications
Machined aluminum is often used as precision components in aerospace, medical, and automotive industries, and cast aluminum is suitable for complex structural parts like pump housings and engine blocks.
Can Anodized Aluminum Be Machined?
Yes, anodized aluminum can be machined by CNC equipment. But machining anodized aluminum is more challenging compared to raw aluminum alloys; the oxide layer formed on the anodized aluminum increases the machining difficulty.
If an aluminum part requires machining in both its raw and anodized states, it is recommended to perform rough machining before anodizing and finish machining after anodizing. This can guarantee the dimensional accuracy and avoid damaging the anodized layer during machining. In some cases, such as when the anodized layer needs to be partially removed or when machining tolerances are not extremely tight, anodized aluminum can also be machined directly.
Best Cutting Tools for Machining Anodized Aluminum
Robust, high-quality cutting tools are required to work with the hardened oxide layer of anodized aluminum. Carbide tools and PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tools are commonly used. Carbide tools are cost-effective and can handle the abrasive nature of the anodized aluminum reasonably well if properly sharpened. PCD tools offer excellent wear resistance; they can maintain sharp edges even when machining anodized aluminum, though they are more expensive. Additionally, the tool geometry should be optimized, such as using a sharper cutting edge with a positive rake angle to reduce cutting force and minimize surface damage. Tools with a small helix angle are preferable as they reduce chatter and vibration, which ensures a consistent surface finish.
Best DIY CNC Machine Size for Machining Aluminum
Here are some proper sizes recommended for machining aluminum with DIY CNC machines. When you are selecting the best one, consider the machining requirements, machine rigidity, tool specifications, workshop space, budget, spindle motor, feed rate, and other factors.
30×40 cm: A relatively compact size and recommended for machining small aluminum parts or performing some simple operations.
30×60 cm: This size offers slightly larger machining capacity and can be used to machine medium-sized aluminum components. More complex tasks can be executed and are easy to use.
60×90 cm: The common size for DIY CNC, it can meet the requirements of hobbyists and small workshops.
800×620 mm: A medium-scale CNC machine size, the relatively large working areas allow it to handle various sizes and shapes to produce aluminum and wood products. Sufficient rigidity and stability can ensure good accuracy.
1325 mm: A popular size for industrial-grade machine tools, this can achieve high precision when manufacturing large aluminum parts. However, bigger space and higher technical expertise are also required. This one is recommended for DIY enthusiasts with sufficient resources and skills.