What Types of Materials Can Be Milled with CNC?
CNC machines are beneficial when it comes to manufacturing. It is the go to machine for manufacturing business owners all around the world. However, the main benefit of these CNC machines is their ability to work with different materials. It can conduct operations from heavy metals to wood to even plastics. So, no matter what the industry is, whether it is aerospace or wooden furniture making, or even jewelry making, CNC machines are the best choice for all business owners. This capability of the CNC machines helps the manufacturers to produce different kinds of products for specific applications. If you are curious about which materials you can cut or mill using CNC machines, then you have landed on the best page. Read till the end to know all the details.
Top materials that can be milled with CNC machines
No matter what products you are planning to manufacture, if it’s an aerospace product, wooden furniture, or medical equipment, CNC machines can always help you. Here are the top materials that can be milled with the help of CNC machines
Starting with the Metals
- Aluminium – Aluminium is the most commonly used material for CNC drilling works. This metal is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and has excellent machinability; all of these features make aluminium a good material for different kinds of product manufacturing. There are also different grades of aluminum out there in the market, which are used for different kinds of machining works, such as 6061, 5052, and 7075. Also, the great thermal conductivity of the metal helps in dissipating heat generated during the whole cutting process.
- Stainless Steel – The next type of metal that we need to talk about is stainless steel. This metal is widely used in manufacturing because it offers strength, toughness, and superior corrosion resistance. There can be different types of stainless steel that are used in different manufacturing sectors, like the 304 one, which is used for general manufacturing and has good corrosion resistance. Also, the 316 stainless steel is used for marine products and has superior corrosion resistance.
- Copper and brass – These metals are popular for manufacturing works because of their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Other than that, these products also have very good machinability. The products of brass also have an aesthetic appeal. The C360 variant of brass offers excellent machinability and is mainly used for different electrical applications. Copper is on the other hand a soft tool and also more ductile, so it needs sharper tools and careful chip evacuation.
- Titanium – Titanium is another light weight metal with high resistance that is widely used in different applications and can be milled with the help of CNC machines. The strength to weight ratio of Titanium makes it one of the most favorable choices when it comes to manufacturing. But there is also one problem with this metal, and that is its lower thermal conductivity. This metal is a bit difficult to machine, but at the same time, the effort becomes worth it for sectors that need high quality machines, like the aerospace sector and high performance automotive parts.
- Super Alloys – Last in the list of metals comes the different super alloys that are used for manufacturing, like Inconel and Hastelloy. These alloys are used for materials that need to work in hostile environments, as these metals are known for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments. The high corrosion resistance of these metals, combined with other features, makes them a great choice for aerospace and energy industry products.
Plastics come next
- Acrylic (PMMA) – The first common type of plastic that is used in CNC operations is the PMMA variant. These plastics are known for their clarity and also their ease of machining. They are often used for different aesthetic purposes, like lenses and displays. It is mostly used as a light weight and shatter resistant alternative to glass. But it should also be handled with care to avoid melting.
- Polycarbonate – This is a tough and impact resistant plastic. This material is mostly used for materials where durability and transparency both are very important. But the higher ductility of this plastic can also lead to different chip control issues.
- Nylon – The third name in the list of plastics is Nylon, which is also known as polyamide. This plastic is lightweight, tough, and also wear resistant at the same time. But the tendency to absorb moisture of this plastic can lead to dimensional instability. It is also suitable for moving parts such as gears and bushings.
- Delrin or POM – The final name of the plastic that we need to know when it comes to CNC machining is Delrin or POM. This is often used for different machine parts that need high stiffness, like gears, bushings and bearings.
Finally comes woods, composites, and ceramics
- Woods – If you are in the business of woodworks, and want to make some great wooden furniture or other products then CNC machines can be helpful for you. You can do woodwork with hardwood materials like oak,cherry, maple and walnut, but their density would need CNCs with sharp tools. Also, CNC machines can help you make products with softwood too like pine, fir and cedar.
- Ceramics – The next materials that can be milled with the help of a CNC machine are ceramics. Advanced ceramics like Alumina and Zirconia are milled with the help of CNC machines. These materials are used for medical implants, electronics, and wear resistant components.
- Composites – Last but not least, composites can also be milled with the help of the CNC machines. Lightweight composites like Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) or Metal Matrix Composites (MMC), which are a mixture of metals with ceramic or carbon fibers, are milled with CNC. Different other composites can be milled too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CNC machines are a great thing as they can help you to get any kind of manufacturing work done with different materials like plastics, ceramics, metals, and wood. If you are also looking to buy a used CNC machine to work with any of these materials, then you can check it in MachineStation, as we have the right machine for your material.
