Aluminum (6061 and 7075): precision CNC machining

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AC Manufacturing is a complete 5 axis cnc machine shop capable of machining parts to customer specification (conventional and 5 axis machining). We can machine to print and accept the most common file formats including: .dwg .dxf .iges .step .sat as well as .pdf files. If you don't see your file format here let us know. Please send us files to: sales@acmanufacturing.com We can accept both small and large run jobs of custom machined parts.

If you need aluminum parts cnc machined we are one of the most capable and affordable sources specializing in manufacturing precision machined parts on advanced 5 axis cnc machines. With over two generations of knowledge and experience, our cnc machine shop is able to produce parts that require innovative tooling and fixturing in a timely manner with competitive price. We do cnc machining on 5 axis all kinds of aluminum with 6061 and 7075 being the most used .

We provide Turning and Milling, 3 axis , 3+2 axis & continuous 5 axis machining).

We accept both small and large run jobs, Minimum quantity for order is 1.
Short lead times are often available 2-3 days.
Standard lead time is 2 weeks.

Aluminum is a relatively soft, durable, lightweight, ductile, and malleable metal with appearance ranging from silvery to dull gray, depending on the surface roughness. It is nonmagnetic and does not easily ignite. Aluminum is a tin-white metal which melts at 640 degrees and is very light, having a density of 2.68. It is stiff and strong, and with frequent annealing can be rolled into thin foil. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, though not so good as Copper for a given cross section of wire and used in precision cnc machining in industries like Aerospace or Medical.

Aluminum alloys have strong corrosion resistance. They are sensitive to high temperatures ranging between 200 and 250 °C (392 and 482°F), and might lose some of their strength. However, the strength of the Aluminum alloys can be increased at subzero temperatures, making them ideal low-temperature alloys.

Corrosion resistance can be excellent because a thin surface layer of aluminum oxide forms when the bare metal is exposed to air, effectively preventing further oxidation in a process termed passivation. The strongest aluminium alloys are less corrosion resistant due to galvanic reactions with alloyed copper. Aluminum really comes into its own when you combine it with other metals to make aluminum alloys. A few of the metals commonly used to make aluminum alloys include boron, copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, and zinc. You mix aluminum with one or more of these depending on the job you're trying to do.

Machining Aluminum in our cnc machine shop:
The primary tooling concerns when machining aluminum are: minimizing the tendency of aluminum to stick to the tool cutting edges; ensuring there is good chip evacuation from the cutting edge; and ensuring the core strength of the tool is sufficient to withstand the cutting forces without breaking. The tools employed for machining aluminum alloys range from high-speed steels, straight grade (K) of cemented car-bides (mainly fine grained) due to its low chemical affinityfor aluminum, which considerably improves the surface finish, and diamond-based tools. The latter tool consider-ably reduces the adherent layer accumulated on the tool edgein the chip flow direction. We use 5 axis machines such as Haas UMC 750 and Haas VF-5SS as well as conventional milling equipment (Matsuura RA-1G, MC 500V PC 2S and MC-510 VG)

Aluminum alloy 7075 is an aluminum alloy, with zinc as the primary alloying element. It is strong, with a strength comparable to many steels, and has good fatigue strength and average machinability. It has lower resistance to corrosion than many other Al alloys, but has significantly better corrosion resistance than the 2000 alloys. Its relatively high cost limits its use to applications where cheaper alloys are not suitable. Aluminum 7075 alloy can be machined in the annealed condition. Oil lubricants are used for performing machining operations.

Aluminum 5052 alloy is a non-heat treatable alloy with good corrosion resistance, especially to salt water. The machinability of Aluminum 5052 alloy is rated as fair. This alloy can be easily cnc machined in hard temper than in annealed form, and the quality of finish is better. Other than in very light cuts, all other machining should be done using oil lubricants.

It is worth to remember
Workpiece-tool interaction, when machining aluminum cast alloys results in an abrasive flank wear, influences the shape and the dimensional accuracy as well as the surface integrity of the work piece. Cutting forces in the machining of aluminum alloys are usually low compared to those of ferrous alloys due to their lower mechanical strength, which may generate 70 % lower specific cutting pressures than in the machining of steels. However, it should be noted that this difference is minimal among aluminum alloys and depends on their chemical com-position and physical properties