Several industries rely on aluminum CNC machining to produce precision parts and components that are exceptionally durable and strong.

Manufacturers have been using CNC machining successfully for all kinds of manufacturing purposes. One of the most popular applications for CNC machining is making aluminum parts. Aluminum CNC machining is widely used across all industries as this metal excels over other materials for its excellent machinability.

Why Is Aluminum Preferred for CNC Machining?

The mechanical and thermal properties of aluminum make it very popular for CNC machining. Also, it is lightweight and easy to shape and drill. Aluminum alloys have shown better machinability than titanium and magnesium alloys.

Overall, aluminum is also quite soft, malleable, durable, and tractable. It is non-flammable and non-magnetic. Electricity flows well through it, making it useful in industries such as medicine, aerospace, and ATVs. For successful aluminum CNC machining, choosing the appropriate aluminum grade is extremely necessary.

Which Is the Most Commonly Used Aluminum Alloy for CNC Machining?

The choice of aluminum alloy can vary according to the characteristics of machining projects. Because of this, experts rank every grade according to its properties in order of most to least importance.

The most commonly used grade in aluminum CNC machining is 6061-T6. It showcases super weldability and excellent mechanical properties. It is tough, strong, and resistant to corrosion, even in harsh conditions. Its bending workability and cool anodization make it a great choice. It is commonly employed for 5-axis CNC machines.

Aluminum 6061-T6 is usually used for applications in transportation, aerospace, electronics, military works, etc., due to its high stiffness, and low-density nature. Also, aluminum CNC machining tolerance is very precise, up to 0.01mm, making it the perfect choice for most manufacturers.

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What Parts Are Made from Aluminum Using CNC Machining?

Aluminum CNC machining produces parts via milling, grinding, and turning. The most commonly-produced parts include:

· Medical devices

· Spline shafts

· Front panels

· Lighting fixtures

· EMI-housings

· Dowels pins

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Does Aluminum Have Any Drawback in CNC Machining?

Although aluminum is one of the most popular and widely used materials across various industries, it still has a substantial downside in CNC machining. Aluminum CNC machining alloys are high in thermal expansion and low in hardness, which can cause deformation during machining if the design is thin. Several measures need to be taken when producing a thin aluminum part so that it does not deform under pressure.

How Is Aluminum Deformation Avoided in CNC Machining?

The following steps should be taken to prevent deforming of thin aluminum parts during aluminum CNC machining:

· Simultaneous Multiple Machining: an aluminum alloy plate with several cavities may twist due to uneven force distribution. It can be avoided by processing all the cavities simultaneously.

· Symmetrical Machining: a concentrated area of heat can cause deformation. As a result, symmetrical machining is necessary for heat dissipation to avoid thermal deformation.

· Milling and Drilling: When an aluminum part is pre-drilled with a tool larger than the milling cutter, it prevents expansion due to heat.

· Apt Cutting Parameters: cutting parameters influence the cutting depth of the material significantly. It is important to reduce the cutting number and maintains efficiency, which can be done with CNC milling by lowering the cutting force and speeding up the machine.

· 5-Axis Machining: 5-Axis CNC machines cut the metal from five angles at the same time. It is a fast and reliable process to produce complex parts and reduces errors.

Aluminum makes high-quality parts after the proper cutting process, which is why the demand for aluminum CNC machining is increasing. However, it is important to research according to the parameters of your project to ensure the correct application of the technology.

Our skilled CNC experts at X Rapid Technologies can assist you with your machining requirements to fulfill your business needs.