CNC machining is one of the most common manufacturing methods used for manufacturing parts and products. The use of computer numerical control (CNC) enables the manufacturing of parts through highly automated processes, offering advantages over many traditional manufacturing methods in terms of speed, productivity, and precision. Choosing the right material for CNC machining can be a challenging task. When selecting materials for parts or products, multiple factors should be taken into account, including machinability, price, corrosion resistance, strength, weight and appearance.
Ⅰ. it is necessary to clarify the purpose of the product and the working environment. For instance, if the product is exposed to high temperatures or corrosive environments, choose materials that are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, such as stainless steel or special alloys. If the components require lightweight materials, aluminum alloy or composite materials can be considered.
Ⅱ. the mechanical properties of the material need to be evaluated, including strength, hardness, toughness and wear resistance, etc. Different
CNC processing materials have different physical properties, which will directly affect the durability and reliability of the finished products. For instance, the aerospace industry typically requires materials with high strength and low weight, while mold manufacturing may pay more attention to the wear resistance and processing performance of the materials.
Ⅲ. cost is also an important factor when choosing materials. Try to choose materials within the budget range and consider the processability of the materials at the same time. Some materials may have a relatively low initial procurement cost, but they are difficult to process, which may lead to an increase in the total cost.
The types of materials for mechanical processing
Although there are hundreds of metals and alloys available for CNC machining, the most common ones are:
AL6061
This is the most common general-purpose aluminum grade, typically used in automotive parts, bicycle frames, sports goods, remote control car frames, etc. Similar to other aluminum alloys, it has a good strength-to-weight ratio and inherently possesses the ability to resist atmospheric corrosion. This material has excellent processability and workability, but it may be more expensive than other metals. Its performance is also poor when exposed to salt water or other chemicals, depending on the usage of the product.
AL7075
A higher grade of aluminum, 7075 is one of the strongest aluminum alloys. Unlike 6061, AL7075 has high strength and average machinability, making it difficult to bend into difficult and complex shapes. This material is an ideal choice for high-strength entertainment equipment, automotive and aerospace frames. These applications require metals to withstand conventional stress and should be avoided in cases where welding is necessary.
Brass
Brass has the advantages of high strength, great hardness, chemical resistance, and easy processing. It also has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, ductility, and deep drawing properties. It is often used to make valves, water pipes, connection pipes for indoor and outdoor units of air conditioners, radiators, various complex-shaped stamped products, small hardware parts, various parts for machinery and electrical appliances, stamping parts, and musical instrument parts, etc. There are many types of brass. As the zinc content increases, its corrosion resistance decreases.
MgAZ31
An alloy of aluminium and zinc, is 35% lighter than aluminium of the same strength. This material is usually more expensive and is commonly used in aircraft components. It is easy to process, but it is flammable. It is light in weight and high in strength, and is often used for laptop casings, power tools, camera bodies and other purposes around houses.
SUS304
The most common type of stainless steel, 304 is extremely tough, non-magnetic, easy to process and usually corrosion-resistant, making it an ideal choice for kitchen fittings, water tanks and pipes used in industry, construction and automobiles. It is present in a wide range of consumer and industrial parts and products. 303 and 304 stainless steel are almost the same in metallurgy. 303 usually contains a small amount of sulfur to assist in processing and is typically only used for round bar stock, while 304 is mainly used for sheet, plate and flat materials. These two materials can be used interchangeably. SUS303 is not suitable for cold forming or heat treatment and is most commonly used for nuts, bolts, shafts and gears. SUS316 is generally regarded as marine-grade stainless steel, which is tough and easy to weld, and highly corrosion-resistant. It is an ideal choice for construction, Marine fittings, industrial pipes and automotive applications.
Japanese D2 steel
D2 steel is an air-hardening, high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel with high wear resistance and durability. It is heat-treatable and offers a wide range of hardness. D2 is an ideal choice for manufacturing parts and products that require easy bending but are also very hard, such as CMBD custom golf club putter.
Carbon Steel 1045
This strong and tough material is a kind of low-carbon steel, usually cheaper than stainless steel. This material can be hardened and heat-treated, making it easy to process and weld. It is most commonly used in industrial applications and mechanical parts that require high toughness and strength, such as nuts and bolts, gears, shafts and connecting rods.
Titanium
Most renowned for its high strength, light weight and toughness, titanium can be easily welded and anodized to provide protection and appearance. It is a good conductor of heat, but its polishing effect is not good and it is a poor conductor of electricity. Usually, it is more expensive than other metals. It is abundant in the Earth's crust but difficult to extract. It is most commonly used in military, aerospace, industrial and biomedical applications.
Nylon
Nylon is wear-resistant, heat-resistant, resistant to chemicals, has certain flame retardancy, and is easy to process. It is a good material to replace steel, iron, copper and other metals with plastic. The most common applications of CNC machining for nylon include insulators, bearings, and injection molds, etc.
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The future development trends of metal processing
With the continuous upgrading of industrial technology and the diversification of market demands, the metal processing industry is accelerating its development towards intelligence, high precision, and green sustainability. The following are several major trends in this field for the future:
►1. The level of intelligent manufacturing and automation has been enhanced
The traditional manual operation and single-machine control methods will be replaced by a higher degree of automation and informatization. CNC processing equipment will be deeply integrated with the Internet of Things, industrial Internet and big data systems to achieve equipment interconnection, data sharing, remote monitoring and automated management. Industrial robots will also be widely applied in multiple processes such as material handling, welding, bending, and inspection. They not only enhance processing efficiency and stability but also significantly reduce labor costs and operational risks.
►2. Integration of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing
3D printing (metal additive manufacturing) will continue to expand its application scenarios in fields such as aerospace, medical care, and molds. The future trend is to deeply integrate with traditional subtractive processing (such as CNC), achieving a combined manufacturing process of "printing + cutting", which not only has structural freedom but also ensures the requirements of precision and strength.
►3. Precision processing is compatible with high-performance materials
With the development of high-end equipment manufacturing, higher requirements are put forward for the precision, strength and corrosion resistance of metal parts. The extensive application of high-performance materials (such as titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys, and superalloys) has driven metal processing equipment to upgrade towards higher rigidity, greater power, and higher stability.
Xi an Hi-Precision Machinery Co., Ltd is located in famous ancient capital Xi'an China, with over 15Years of experience in precision machining area. We provide high quality global manufacturing solutions and one-stop supply chain management solutions. We offer turning, milling, drilling, tapping, boring, laser cutting, stamping and casting for a variety of materials, we expertise and specialize in high precision CNC machining service, the products consistently meet the tight tolerances required. Machining services area involved aerospace, medical, railway, industrial machine, rc car and much more.