Introduction

In rapid machining services, aluminum is one of the most prevalent material choices due to its ideal physical properties. It is sturdy and ideal for mechanical parts, and its oxidized outer layer is resistant to corrosion. These advantages make CNC machined aluminum parts common in all industries, although they are particularly popular in the automotive, aerospace, healthcare and consumer electronics sectors.

Aluminum parts bring certain advantages such as the simplified and enhanced practice of CNC machining. They provide excellent machinability thanks to the properties of aluminum. Lots of aluminum ranges can be efficiently penetrated by cutting edge tools, chipping readily while being comparatively easy to form. As a result of this, aluminum parts could be CNC machined over three times quicker than steel or iron.

This report shares the reasons why aluminum CNC machining is among our most widely asked prototyping and rapid machining services -- some of the essential benefits of CNC machined aluminum parts.

Advantages of CNC machined aluminum parts

Machinability

One of the chief reasons why engineers prefer aluminum machined parts is because, quite simply, the aluminum is not difficult to machine. Even though this would seem to be of a benefit for the machinist fabricating the component, in addition, it has important benefits for your company ordering the component, in addition to the end-user which will eventually use it.

Because aluminum chips easily, and as it is easy to form, it may be cut quickly and correctly using CNC machine tools. This has some important consequences: firstly, the brief timeframe of this machining project gets the process more economical (because less labor is expected in the machinist and less working time is necessary for the system itself); second, fantastic machinability signifies less deformation of CNC machined aluminum parts as the cutting instrument goes through the work piece.

Corrosion resistance

Aluminum parts processed by different aluminum grades vary greatly in their resistance to corrosion -- the amount to which they could defy oxidization and chemical harm. Luckily, a number of the very well-known grades for CNC machining would be the most resistant. 6061, by way of instance, offers exceptional corrosion resistance, as with additional metals on the lower end of their strength spectrum. (Strong aluminum alloys might be less resistant to corrosion because of the existence of alloyed copper.)

Strength-to-weight ratio

Aluminum has desired physical attributes which make it perfect for both mechanical and facet components. Two of the crucial attributes are its high durability and its light weight, each of making the substance beneficial for crucial parts like the ones required from the aerospace and automotive sectors. Aircraft fittings and electrical shafts are just two excellent examples of CNC machined aluminum parts.

Yet, different levels of aluminum serve various functions. Due to their positive strength-to-weight ratio, general-use ranges like 6061 may be utilized for a vast array of components, while especially high-strength ranges like 7075 could be favored in aerospace and marine programs.

Electrical conductivity

CNC machined aluminum parts work perfectly as electrical parts because of their electrical conductivity. Although not as conductive as copper parts, the conductivity of parts made of pure aluminum at room temperature is about 37.7 million Siemens per meter. The electrical conductivity of the alloy may be lower, but the electrical conductivity of the aluminum parts is much higher than that of stainless steel.

Anodization potential

Machined aluminum components are particularly well known in the consumer electronics business, not only for weight and strength requirements but due to significant aesthetic factors. In addition to being open to paints and tints, aluminum machined parts could be medicated with anodization, a coating completing process that thickens the protective and oxidized outer coating of this part.

The anodization process, which normally occurs after machining is finished, involves passing an electrical current through the component within an electrolytic acid tub and ends in a bit of aluminum which is more immune to physical corrosion and impact.

Significantly, anodizing makes it a lot easier to add color to these aluminum components, because the anodized outer coating is extremely porous. Dyes can make their way through the porous parts of the outer coating and therefore are not as likely to flake or chip because they are embedded inside the hard exterior of the metallic part.

Recyclability

Another advantage of CNC machined aluminum parts is its high recyclability, making it preferable for companies trying to reduce their ecological impact or for people who only need to decrease material wastage and recover some of their expenditure. Recyclable materials such as aluminum are especially essential in CNC machining, in which there's a comparatively large quantity of waste material in the kind of chips from the cutting tool.

Conclusion

Thanks to rapid machining services, the production of aluminum parts has become a breeze. The precision gained is a major reason many people find CNC machined aluminum components excellent. You should try CNC machining in the production of aluminum parts and enjoy the benefits and convenience.