CNC Machining: Working with Metals
At Align Machine Works, we know each of your projects has its own scope, objective, and timeframe.
That’s why we work with a global network of suppliers and distributors to provide the materials you need to get the job done fast and on budget.
Below you will find a summary of the metals we work with and the advantages they can bring to your next project.
Aluminum 6061
Aluminum 6061 grade has strong mechanical properties and excellent weldability. Its topical properties make it one of the most extruded grades. It is tough, has medium and high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance on harsh conditions. Cool anodization and bending workability make it a go-to resource.
Brass
Brass rod materials machine fast and easy and do not harm tool wear, part surface finishes, or chip formation. With the power and rigidity of the latest high-speed machine tools, shops can boost brass workpiece material removal rates in their milling, drilling, and turning operations.
Copper
CNC machining copper is a smooth, easy process because copper is a good heat conductor that is easy to shape. Copper also has high corrosion-resistance properties to rust, which makes copper machined parts popular for electrical applications.
Magnesium
Magnesium has outstanding machining abilities like sawing, punching, drilling, milling, turning compared to other metals. The specific cutting power is low; the surface is excellent, and the chips are short.
Magnesium is the fastest machining metal. It has high thermal conductivity, which provides long tool life, low power consumption, and a reduction in machining time because of the high speeds.
Stainless Steel
Fabrication shops often choose stainless steel machining services due to the superior strength of steel. Cold hardened stainless steel is a strong material, which means parts can be machined from thinner materials, reducing weight and cost. Stainless steel can also be strengthened further through a heat curing process. It is corrosion-resistant, can be laser cut, is durable, and requires little maintenance.
Carbon Steel
High-carbon steels are difficult to machine because they may contain carbides that abrade the cutting tool. Steel that has the best machinability has medium amounts of carbon, about 0.20%. Chromium, molybdenum, and other alloying metals are often added to steel to improve its strength.
Bronze
Bronze generally has a higher fatigue resistance than brass, making bronze more useful for marine parts and springs that undergo constant stresses when in use.
Inconel
Inconel refers to a family of superalloys characterized by their high nickel content and extreme resistance to oxidation, corrosion, and scaling in high-temperature environments. These characteristics make Inconel superalloys an ideal choice for use in extreme environments such as those found in the aerospace, marine, and chemical processing industries.
Titanium
Titanium is popular for various reasons; it is lightweight, strong, has excellent fatigue performance, and a high resistance to aggressive environments, remaining free of rust and degeneration. Titanium parts last longer and provide better performance and results than other metals and materials.
Zinc
The high strength and hardness of zinc alloys make them ideal for machining, pressing, stamping, and assembly parts. Zinc alloys are resistant to corrosion and have high plasticity even if they are disabled.
Align Machine Works can Help with Your Next CNC Machining Project
If you’ve spent any time looking for the right CNC parts at the right price, you know how frustrating the experience can be. What’s worse, when you do finally find the right part, it’s either out of stock or takes a long time to ship.
At Align Machine Works, we’re committed to helping our customers get the right part fast. We have a global network of CNC machining supplies that can provide a variety of parts in as little as one (1) week.
If you’re looking for a CNC machining part or service for your next project, we make the process simple.
Here’s how it works:
- Upload your part: Simply upload your CAD file and our quote engine will calculate everything needed to make your part
- Choose your material: Choose from over 30 materials in both plastic and metal categories
- Choose your features: Need threaded taps or other features? Simply tell us how many of each and upload a drawing specifying where you’d like them
- Choose your finish: We offer several finishes and any Pantone paint color you may require
Follow these four simple steps and you’ll be on your way to completing your next CNC machining project quickly and successfully.
