CNC aluminum

CNC machining is a modern workpiece machining, which is characterized by its particularly good precision work. An advantage of this machining method is the diverse range of material use.

LES GRAVEURS has specialized in aluminum machining, among other things. Aluminum is now ubiquitous in a wide variety of fields, from engraving to aerospace, which means that the importance of aluminum machining continues to grow.

The advantages of aluminum are very versatile and they are due to the different properties of the light metal.

• has a relatively low density and is thus very light


• easy processing and formability (high efficiency)


• very strong and impact resistant


• high intrinsic protection against corrosion due to an oxide layer


• good recyclability without significant loss of quality


• resistant to strong temperature changes


• hygienic lightweight metal


• electrical conductivity

 

Due to the steadily increasing consumption of aluminum, the processing of aluminum is also becoming more and more. In particular, the milling of the material is enormously important. However, when milling precision parts made of aluminum, some factors and framework conditions must be taken into account, which is why CNC machines are ideally suited for the processing.

First of all, the type of cutter and tool is very important. To be able to mill aluminum, very stable and as many cutting edges as possible are necessary, otherwise they will quickly become blunt when machining the solid aluminum. Consequently, dull machines can no longer work cleanly and create a good end product. At LES GRAVEURS we use high quality CNC machines with 5-axis simultaneous milling. They are stable and are characterized by high precision here, so that a good and accurate machining can be guaranteed.

CNC machining is one of the high-speed processes. This means that aluminum is machined at high cutting speeds. A high cutting speed results in lower cutting forces, so that even thin-walled aluminum profiles can be milled almost burr-free.

Furthermore, when machining aluminum, unlike wood or steel, the material can become soft and melt due to the heat generated during milling. This makes the surface unusable for further processing. Due to the high cutting speed, however, heat is not generated as quickly and the aluminum can continue to be machined cleanly.

However, since temperature fluctuations occur during milling despite all this, we have minimum amounts of cooling lubrication on our machines. Due to the cooling, longer tool life can be achieved, so that the machining of the aluminum can also be carried out better in the long run.

 

Applications of precision parts made of aluminum

Aluminum is now used in a wide variety of applications and its special properties, especially its low weight, make it virtually indispensable.

• Automotive industry (body, engine block, etc.)


• Construction (window frames, facades, light screens, etc.)


• Electrical engineering (conductors, sheaths and shields of cables)


• Aerospace (aluminum alloys of wings, tail, fuselage, etc.)

 

Our machining of precision aluminum parts is done by HSC milling, drilling, tapping and engraving of housings.