CNC Machining
Tight tolerances and finishing capabilities, as fast as 2 days.
Sheet Metal
Experience the versatility & cost efficiency with flexible application options.
Injection Molding
Production-grade steel tooling, as fast as weeks.
Die Casting
Create high quality custom mechanicals with precision and accuracy.
3D Printing
FDM, SLS, SLA, PolyJet, MJF technologies.
Compression Molding
Experience lower tooling costs with high-quality durable parts.
Urethane Casting
Production quality parts without the tooling investment.
We exist to eliminate bottlenecks in new product development by integrating the people, processes, and platform you need to source custom parts.
Learn moreThe Economic Impact of a Digital Manufacturing Partner for Production Workloads
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Read case studyProcesses
Lead Time
Tolerance
Price
Applications
Alloys
Finishing Options
Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals in the world because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, low cost, and recyclability. unofactorys offers multiple aluminum alloys.
Our standard alloy on platform is 6061, a versatile and easy-to-machine metal. It is corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, and heat treatable.
7075 Aluminum is a hard, high strength alternative to 6061 Aluminum . It is often used for parts in high-stress applications, and is also corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic and heat treatable.
7050 Aluminum can be used instead of 7075 when high stress corrosion resistance is necessary (ie. bulkheads and fuselage frames). It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
2024 Aluminum is not as strong as 7075 Aluminum but is commonly used when a high strength-to-weight ratio is required. It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
5052 Aluminum is the easiest aluminum to weld and is exceptionally corrosion resistant against salt spray and salt water. It is easy to form, heat treatable, and non-magnetic.
6063 Aluminum is more corrosion resistant and formable than 6061 Aluminum. It is not ideal for high strength applications, but can be used for exterior railings and decorative trim. It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
Also known as jig plate or cast tool, MIC6 is a cast aluminum alloy that is great for tight tolerance applications due to it being stress-relieved. It is most commonly used in precision machine tables and tooling. MIC6 is non-magnetic and not heat treatable.
6061-T6 Aluminum
Yield Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
7075-T6 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
5052 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
6063 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
MIC6 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Maximum Temp
2024-T4 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
7050 Aluminum
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Hardness
Density
Untreated aluminum generally has a dull silver/grey finish which varies depending on the roughness of the surface.
Many consumer products made with aluminum are anodized, most notably the MacBook Pro. Anodization allows the introduction of a variety of color options and adds a consistent shine across the entire part.
Aluminum can also be media-blasted, sanded, and hand-polished to achieve a multitude of surface finishes. Alodine is often used as an alternative protective coating to anodize on aluminum parts, and can be clear or gold in color.
Min Wall Thickness
Min End Mill Size
Min Drill Size
Max Part Size
Undercuts
Radii : Depth
Cost Saving Tip
To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii. If surface finish is not a concern, you may design your part to be made from the closest stock thickness, specified in a drawing.
What is the most common type of aluminum used for CNC milling?
Aluminum 6061 is the most popular aluminum alloy for CNC milling. It’s a versatile and easy-to-machine metal. It has a good strength-to-weight ratio, low cost, recyclability, non-magnetic, heat treatable, and natural corrosion resistance.
What is CNC billet aluminum?
A CNC billet part is machined from a block of material, such as aluminum. You can also make a part from a billet of steel, copper, stainless steel, or brass. Excess material is removed from the block to form the part. This is in contrast to a “cast” part that is formed by pouring molten material into a mold.
What are the benefits of cnc machining aluminum?
Aluminum offers specific benefits that simplify and improve the process of CNC machining. Many grades of aluminum can be effectively penetrated with cutting tools. Aluminum will chip easily and is relatively easy to shape, making aluminum three times faster to machine than iron or steel.
Other benefits include:
How do you use a cnc router for aluminum?
The following tips apply to using a CNC router in the production of aluminum parts.
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