CNC milling service
Functional & end-use parts . Plastics & Metals . 3- & 5 axis machines . Finishes
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What is CNC milling?
CNC milling is a manufacturing process that uses a cutting tool mounted on a rotating spindle to selectively remove material from a block of raw substrate. The workpiece is rigidly mounted to a table, and this table moves or rotates on different planes so the tool can work at many angles. Sophisticated machines can have 5 or more axes of independent motion for advanced applications.
IN3DTE provides CNC Milling services in China by using a various of 3 axis, 4 axis and 5 axis milling machines.
How does CNC milling works?
CNC milling is a subtractive manufacturing process. It starts by fixturing a block of metal or plastic material inside the CNC mill. Using G-code, the CNC Machine is programmed to rapidly mill out parts from the block of raw material.
Machined plastic parts are left as-milled, which typically means they show visible tool marks. Some metal parts allow more finishing choices like anodizing and chromate plating. When the run is complete and your required surface finish is applied, parts are boxed and shipped shortly thereafter.
Metals in CNC Milling Service
What kind of metals are used for milling operations? The metals used for milling are steel, brass, aluminum, nickel, titanium, etc. Milling represents the process of machining using rotary cutters to eliminate material by advancing a cutter through a workpiece. Let’s go through the CNC milling metal material properties to select a suitable material for your projects.
| Material Name | Grade | Ultimate tensile strengh(Mpa) | Elongation at break(%) | Hardness(HRB) | Chemical resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 6061-T6 | 291-320 | 12-17 | 60 | High |
| Aluminum | 7075-T6 | 430-580 | 3-11 | 80 | Moderate |
| Aluminum | 7050 | 500-550 | 11 | 147 | Good |
| Aluminum | 6063 | 110-300 | 12 | 25-95 | High |
| Aluminum | 2024 | 200-540 | 14-20 | 70-120 | Poor |
| Stainless Steel | 304/304L | 480-620 | 45-60 | 75=83 | Good |
| Stainless Steel | 316/316L | 480-620 | 30-50 | 75-83 | Excellent |
| Stainless Steel | 17-4PH | 896-990 | 7 | 250-260 | Excellent |
| Mild Steel | 1018 | 190-440 | 17-27 | 76 | Poor |
| Mild Steel | 1045 | 620-680 | 13-18 | 84 | Poor |
| Alloy Steel | 4140 | 915-1130 | 13.5-21 | 275-335HV | Moderate to Poor |
| Alloy Steel | 4340 | 670-820 | 17-27 | 200-245HV | Moderate to Poor |
| Tool Steel | D2 | 2100-2500 | 13-15 | 58-64 | Excellent |
| Tool Steel | A2 | 2040-2360 | 3.5-6.1 | 57-62 | Excellent |
| Tool Steel | O1 | 2040-2360 | 3.5-6.1 | 57-62 | Excellent |
| Brass | C360 | 140 | 23 | - | Moderate |
| Copper | 110 | 220-230 | 15-50 | 40 HRF | Moderate to poor |
| Copper | 101 | 310-380 | 6-25 | 27 HV | - |
Plastics in CNC Milling Service
What plastic is good for CNC Machining? There are many types of plastics in CNC Milling. The most common plastics in CNC milling are Derlin(POM), PC, ABS etc. Let’s go through the CNC milling plastics’ properties to select a suitable material for your projects.
| Material | Density(g/cm^3) | Tensile Strength ( Mpa) | Flexural strength (Mpa) | Wear Resistance | Elongation at break (%) | Heat Resistance (0.45Mpa, °C） | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | 1.04 | 37 | 67 | Poor | 8 | 80 | $ |
| PC | 1.2 | 75 | - | Poor | 75 | 110 | $$ |
| Nylon6/66 | 1.15 | 80 | 100 | Excellent | 50 | 90 | &&& |
| Nylon6/66+GF | 1.36 | 185 | 270 | Excellent | 3 | 205 | $$$$ |
| POM ( Derlin/Acetal) | 1.39 | 67 | - | Good | 28 | -50/110 | $$ |
| PMMA(Acrylic) | 1.19 | 72 | - | Poor | 8 | 75 | $ |
| PP | 0.9 | 36 | - | Good | 9 | -5/85 | $ |
| PE-UHMW/HDPE | 0.93 | 20 | 27 | Poor | 50 | -140/80 | $ |
| PVC | 1.36 | 50 | 80 | Poor | 29 | -15/70 | $$ |
| PTFE | 2.16 | 26 | - | Good | 300 | -150/250 | $$$$ |
| PEI | 1.27 | 110 | 170 | Good | 30 | 215 | $$$ |
| PEEK | 1.32 | 115 | 170 | Excellent | 16 | 250 | $$$$ |
CNC Milling Types
What’s the difference between 3-axix, 4-axis and 5-axis milling?
The most widely used type of CNC milling machine. The full use of the X, Y, and Z directions makes a 3 Axis CNC mill useful for a wide variety of work.
This type of router allows the machine to rotate on a vertical axis, moving the workpiece to introduce more continuous machining.
These machines have three traditional axes as well as two additional rotary axes. A 5-axis CNC router is, therefore, able to machine 5 sides of a workpiece at in one machine without having to remove the workpiece and reset. The workpiece rotates, and the spindle head is able to also move around the piece. These are larger and more expensive.
Download Guid for Designing for CNC Milling
- Remember the minimum principle, such as Minimum wall thickness, thread, fonts, holes
- What are the main restrictions of CNC design?
- CNC machine setups and parts orientation
- Free Design Guides
Available surface finishes for CNC Milling
As machined
~125 RA µin (3.2 RA µm). Minor tool marks will be visible on the part.
Anodizing
It helps to resist corrosion, increase surface hardness, improve resistance to wear, and dissipate heat. Available in a variety of colors. Type I, TypeII, Type III
Painting & color matching
We can match the standard Pantone color, paint it into glossy, matte finish, and more options.
Blasting & polish
Bead blasting & Electropolishing add a uniform smooth surface on a machined part. Removing all the tool maks.
Black oxide
Black oxide is a conversion coating used to improve corrosion resistance and minimize light reflection.
Brushing
It helps to resist corrosion, increase surface hardness, improve resistance to wear, and dissipate heat. Available in a variety of colors. Type II, Type III
Vapor polishing
This is a specialized treatment for achieving optical clarity on polycarbonate (PC) plastic. This method is ideal for achieving an extremely clear surface on complex geometries or hard to reach areas.
Heat treatments
Annealing, Carburizing, Cryogenic Treatment, Induction Hardening, Nitriding
