Aluminium machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that is different from the traditional methods of machining. It makes use of CNC machine to cut aluminium alloy workpiece into the desired shape with accuracy. The process usually involves five steps: roughing, profiling, finishing, deburring and anodizing.
Aluminium machining is one of the most popular processes in the manufacturing industry. It’s popular due to its many benefits. These benefits include easy operation, low cost, high precision and more.
Advantages of Aluminum Machining
Aluminum is a lightweight and durable metal, which makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, and it has 7 main advantage for machining:
1. High-strength-to-weight ratio: Aluminum is one of the lightest metals on earth, but it is also one of the strongest (in proportion to its weight).
2. Non-toxic: Aluminum doesn’t rust or corrode, so it’s safe for use in food packaging, cookware, and other items that come into contact with food.
3. Environmentally friendly: Aluminum is an abundant resource that can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its properties or value.
4. Easy to work with: Aluminum can be shaped by hand or machined using standard tools like lathes and mills. It’s easy to weld, too!
5. High precision: aluminum can be cut through metal with an increased level of accuracy. This makes it a preferred choice when you need to have an exact measurement in your finished product.
6. Low cost: aluminum is a soft metal that is easy to cut that has lower machining cost than steel, and less wear on the tooling and can last longer than other metal cutting processes.
7. Corrosion resistance: Aluminum is available in several grades, which vary in the degree of corrosion resistance demonstrated. In machining operations, one of the most commonly employed grades—6061—offers excellent corrosion resistance.
8. Electrical conductivity: Aluminum exhibits greater electrical conductivity (about 37.7 million siemens/meter at room temperature) than other commonly machined metals, such as carbon steel (7 million siemens/meter) and stainless steel (1.5 million siemens/meter). This quality makes machined aluminum parts suitable for use as electrical and electronic components.
9. Surface finishing and anodization potential: Aluminum readily accommodates various surface treatment and finishing processes, such as painting, tinting, and anodization. This quality allows manufacturers to improve the functional and aesthetic properties of the machined aluminum part or product.
