CNC (Computer Numerical Control) materials are used in a variety of industrial applications.
Materials commonly used in CNC projects include steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, stainless steel, and plastics.
These materials are chosen based on their properties and suitability for use in CNC machining, such as common milling or engraving.
Based on pre-programmed instructions, CNC machining will cut excess material from the raw material according to computer’s pre-programmed instructions.
Resulting in a precise and automated machining process.
What is cnc material made of？
CNC materials are usually made from a variety of metals and plastics.
The material chosen is determined by the specific requirements of the CNC machining process and the desired properties of the final product.
Common types of metal materials include steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, copper and stainless steel.
These metals offer a combination of strength, durability and machinability for all types of cnc material machining.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most commonly used materials in CNC milling.
It has light weight, good mechanical properties and easy machinability.
It is widely used in aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.
Aluminum is often used in CNC machining,because it is easy to machine and develops excellent surface quality.
The CNC milling process removes aluminum efficiently according to pre-programmed paths and cutting tools, allowing for precise machining of workpieces and the creation of detailed textures.
Read more:Extent Of Materials Employed In CNC Turning
Plastics
In addition to metal materials, plastic materials are also used in CNC machining.
Plastic materials are versatile in design and can be used for machined components that require lightweight components or specific chemical resistance properties.
It is important to note that factors in selecting a CNC material include a combination of desired mechanical properties, intended application, and cost.
Read more:CNC Materials Cost Balance
Importance of CNC materials
What makes CNC materials important in machining is their versatility and adaptability.
A variety of metal and plastic materials can be selected to meet the specific needs of machining requirements in different industries.
In addition, CNC materials play a vital role in precision and accuracy.
Choosing the right material ensures that the product maintains a stable size and shape during the machining process, thus improving the quality and accuracy of the product.
The stability and controllability of metal and plastic materials in CNC machining ensures that the product meets its specific requirements.
At the same time, choosing the right material can increase productivity, reduce machining time and unnecessary waste of resources.
Choosing cost-effective materials can reduce machining costs and increase production efficiency.
How to choose the right CNC machining materials？
There are several key factors to consider when selecting materials:
Purpose of Use
Purpose of use is one of the key considerations in the material selection process.
Detailed consideration needs to be given to how the part is expected to be used.
If the part will be in contact with corrosive elements, such as chemicals or wet environments, it is important to select a material with natural corrosion resistance properties.
Doing so will prevent premature material failure and ensure long life and stability of the part.
In addition, compliance with industry quality standards is also an important factor when selecting materials.
Various industries have set standards and regulations to ensure the safety and sustainability of their products.
That’s why you should never cut corners and choose lower-cost materials to save money on substandard products.
Choosing materials that comply with industry regulations not only avoids legal issues, but also gains market acceptance and the full trust of your customers.
Weight
Weight is also a careful consideration in the material selection process, especially critical for automotive and aerospace applications.
Reducing the weight of parts, for example, can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles and aircraft, and lead to better performance and handling.
So when you’re choosing materials, consider using low-density metals or lightweight plastics such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys or engineering plastics like ABS.
These materials are relatively lightweight and can effectively reduce overall weight.
However, it should be noted that while pursuing weight reduction, the strength of the material may have to be sacrificed to a certain extent.
This is because metals or plastics that are generally relatively light in mass will have lower strength.
Therefore, the relationship between mass and strength needs to be weighed when selecting materials to match the actual mass requirements of the part.
This requires a thorough analysis and evaluation of the engineering design to ensure that the strength and reliability requirements of the part can still be met while reducing weight.
Strength
Strength is a key attribute that requires careful consideration during material selection and design.
However, there is no single standard of strength that fits all situations.
Different types of strength, such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance and compressive strength, have different effects depending on the specific needs of the part.
In part design, the specific type and level of strength needs to be determined based on the actual operating conditions and environmental requirements of the part.
For example, for parts subjected to high tensile loads, tensile strength is particularly important.
And for parts that face frequent friction, the strength for wear resistance needs to be considered.
Therefore, when determining materials and design options, the need for different types of strength must be thoroughly considered to ensure that parts have sufficient load carrying capacity and durability under actual operating conditions.
In addition, the effect of temperature on strength needs to be considered when considering material strength.
Some materials may lose some of their strength in high temperature environments, especially materials that brittle or soften at high temperatures.
Therefore, it is necessary to select materials that can maintain stable strength in a high temperature operating environment to ensure that the parts can still maintain good performance under high temperature conditions.
Special attention needs to be paid to the fact that some materials may not be able to withstand sustained work at high temperatures, and it is then necessary to consider alternatives with better thermal stability.
Budget
Budget management is also very important during material selection and project implementation, as material costs can have a direct impact on the cost of a project.
In order to ensure the success of the project and to find a balance between performance and cost effectiveness, consideration needs to be given to minimizing material costs.
When selecting materials, the cost-effectiveness of different materials needs to be fully considered.
While high-cost materials may offer superior performance and quality, high-cost materials may result in higher project costs due to the potential for material waste during CNC processing.
Therefore, it is recommended that the project team explore alternative materials that meet the necessary quality and performance requirements while being cost effective.
The following strategies can be used to balance performance and cost-effectiveness when searching for alternative materials:
Evaluate the material’s performance metrics, including strength, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance.
Ensure that the alternative material will meet the basic requirements of the project.
Compare the costs of different materials, including procurement costs, processing costs, and maintenance costs.
Consider the possible material waste during CNC machining, which also needs to be included in the actual cost.
Consider the availability of different materials and supply chain stability.
Ensure that the selected materials have a stable supply source to avoid project delays and unexpected costs.
Consider the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the materials.
Selecting materials that comply with local customer laws and regulations will help minimize trade risks and ensure smooth deliveries.
These are the suggestions given to you that will help you make an informed decision in your material selection.
With this content, I believe you have a very clear understanding of material selection during CNC machining.
Keeping these4 points in mind will make you smarter in your future material choices: cost, performance, alternative choices, and quality standards.
