Materials
Compare 6061 and 7075 for CNC machining 6061 vs 7075 Aluminum for CNC Machining
A practical comparison of 6061 and 7075 aluminum for CNC machined parts, focused on strength, tolerance risk, finish quality, and sourcing cost.
Machining guides
Aluminum CNC Machining Blog
Articles that help engineers design, specify, and source custom aluminum CNC machined parts. Compare alloys, tolerances, surface finishes, cost drivers, drawings, and RFQ details before sending files for review.
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Browse aluminum CNC machining topics
Filter by the decision you are making: material, design geometry, finish, tolerance, cost, application, or RFQ package.
Materials
Use the 6061 aluminum design guide 6061 Aluminum CNC Machining Design Guide
A design guide for engineers specifying 6061-T6 aluminum CNC machined parts, with practical rules for geometry, tolerances, threads, and anodizing.
Materials
Review 7075 machining guidance 7075 Aluminum CNC Machining: Strength, Tolerances and Finishes
A practical guide to using 7075 aluminum for high-strength CNC machined parts where load, weight, tolerances, and finish protection must be controlled.
Materials
Plan a MIC-6 tooling plate MIC-6 Aluminum Plate Machining Guide
A machining guide for MIC-6 cast aluminum tooling plate, focused on flatness, stability, fixture plates, inspection, and finish expectations.
Cost Reduction
Reduce aluminum CNC machining cost How to Reduce Cost for Aluminum CNC Machined Parts
Practical ways to reduce aluminum CNC machining cost without weakening the design intent, from tolerances and setups to finishes and quote documentation.
Tolerances
Specify aluminum CNC tolerances CNC Machining Tolerances for Aluminum Parts
A practical tolerance guide for aluminum CNC machined parts, covering what to tighten, what to leave standard, and how to avoid expensive ambiguity.
Surface Finishes
Use the anodized aluminum checklist Anodized Aluminum CNC Parts: Design and Quality Checklist
A design and sourcing checklist for anodized aluminum CNC parts, focused on alloy selection, coating thickness, masking, threads, cosmetics, and inspection.
Surface Finishes
Choose clear or black anodize Clear Anodize vs Black Anodize for CNC Aluminum Parts
A practical comparison of clear and black anodize for CNC machined aluminum parts, focused on appearance, function, masking, and sourcing risk.
Surface Finishes
Design for hardcoat anodizing Hardcoat Anodizing for CNC Machined Aluminum Parts
A practical guide to Type III hardcoat anodizing for CNC machined aluminum parts with wear, sliding, corrosion, and dimensional-control requirements.
Tolerances
Control aluminum part flatness How to Control Flatness in Aluminum CNC Machining
A practical guide to flatness in aluminum CNC machined plates, housings, brackets, and tooling, with design, machining, and inspection advice.
Design Guides
Design thin wall aluminum parts Thin Wall Aluminum CNC Machining Design Tips
Design and sourcing guidance for thin wall aluminum CNC machined parts, focused on reducing chatter, distortion, tolerance risk, and finish problems.
Applications
Use the aluminum housing checklist CNC Machined Aluminum Housings: Design Checklist
A design checklist for CNC machined aluminum housings and enclosures with thin walls, threaded bosses, sealing features, connector faces, and anodized finishes.
Applications
Design robotics aluminum brackets CNC Aluminum Brackets for Robotics Applications
Engineering guidance for CNC machined aluminum robotics brackets, focused on stiffness, weight, alignment, fastening, finish, and repeatable sourcing.
Applications
Design CNC machined heat sinks Aluminum Heat Sink CNC Machining Guide
A practical guide for CNC machined aluminum heat sinks, focused on fin geometry, base flatness, thermal interfaces, surface finish, and sourcing.
Applications
Design aluminum manifold blocks CNC Machined Aluminum Manifold Blocks: Design Considerations
Engineering guidance for CNC machined aluminum manifold blocks with drilled passages, ports, sealing faces, threads, deburring, and inspection requirements.
Design Guides
Choose 3-axis or 5-axis machining 3-Axis vs 5-Axis Aluminum CNC Machining
A practical guide to choosing 3-axis or 5-axis CNC machining for aluminum parts based on geometry, setup risk, tolerances, surface access, and total cost.
Drawings & RFQ
Prepare STEP and PDF files for quote How to Prepare STEP and PDF Drawings for CNC Quotes
A practical RFQ checklist for preparing STEP models and PDF drawings that help aluminum CNC suppliers quote faster and with fewer assumptions.
Drawings & RFQ
Avoid drawing mistakes before RFQ Common Mistakes in Aluminum CNC Part Drawings
A practical list of aluminum CNC drawing mistakes that slow quotes, increase cost, or create manufacturing risk before production starts.
Surface Finishes
Specify aluminum surface roughness Surface Roughness Options for CNC Machined Aluminum
A practical guide to specifying surface roughness on CNC machined aluminum parts without over-controlling non-critical surfaces.
Tolerances
Specify aluminum threads correctly How to Specify Threads and Tapped Holes in Aluminum CNC Parts
A practical guide to specifying threads, tapped holes, inserts, and anodize conditions in CNC machined aluminum parts.
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