Custom Aluminum CNC Machining Services
Precision CNC milling and turning of AL6061-T6, AL6063, AL7075-T6 and AL5083 aluminum alloys. ±0.02mm tolerance, 3-5 day prototype turnaround, anodizing-ready surfaces and free DFM analysis from our China workshop.
Free Consultation3-5 Days
Rapid Prototyping
±0.02mm
Tolerance Accuracy
China
Factory
1 Piece
MOQ
Materials
| Grade | Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| AL6061-T6 | Tensile Strength: 310 MPa, Yield: 276 MPa, Density: 2.70 g/cm³, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, weldable, anodizes well | Brackets, housings, enclosures, fixtures, structural components, UAV frames, robotics parts |
| AL6063 | Tensile Strength: 240 MPa, Yield: 214 MPa, Density: 2.70 g/cm³, smooth extrusion finish, excellent anodizing response, high corrosion resistance | Frames, profiles, architectural extrusions, heat sinks, optical mounts, decorative hardware |
| AL7075-T6 | Tensile Strength: 572 MPa, Yield: 503 MPa, Density: 2.81 g/cm³, high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent fatigue resistance, aerospace grade | Aerospace fixtures, high-stress brackets, military components, tooling, drone frames, racing parts |
| AL5083 | Tensile Strength: 305 MPa, Yield: 215 MPa, Density: 2.66 g/cm³, superior marine corrosion resistance, excellent weldability, non-magnetic | Marine structural parts, shipboard equipment, cryogenic applications, railway vehicles, armored vehicle components |
| Other Alloys (AL5052 / AL2024 / AL6082) | AL5052: excellent forming and corrosion resistance; AL2024: high strength, used in aerospace; AL6082: good strength and machinability | When 6061/7075 are not ideal, we also machine 5052, 2024 and 6082, plus steel, brass and titanium to the same tolerances |
Process Parameters
| Parameter | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Dimensional Tolerance (Standard) | ±0.02mm (tight) / ±0.05mm (standard) |
| Dimensional Tolerance (Precision) | ±0.01mm achievable on critical features with CMM verification |
| Surface Roughness (As-machined) | Ra 1.6μm - 3.2μm depending on tool strategy and material |
| Surface Roughness (Polished) | Ra ≤0.4μm achievable with polishing |
| Maximum Part Size (3-axis) | 1000mm x 600mm x 500mm |
| Minimum Feature Size | 0.5mm diameter holes, 0.5mm slots, 0.5mm wall thickness |
| Thread Capability | M1.6 and above, UNC/UNF, BSP, NPT, custom threads; tap depth ≤1.5x diameter |
| Geometric Tolerance | Flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity to 0.02mm |
| Part Weight Range | 0.5g - 200kg per part |
Surface Finishes
As-Machined (Mill Finish)
Standard mill finish as cut by CNC. Ra 1.6μm - 3.2μm depending on tooling. No additional treatment – fastest and most economical option. Ideal for internal parts, secondary machining, or parts requiring further surface treatment.
Anodizing (Type II / Type III)
Electrochemical anodizing for aluminum. Type II (standard): 5-25μm oxide layer, custom colors (black, red, blue, clear, gold). Type III (hard coat): 25-150μm, extreme hardness and wear resistance. Both improve corrosion protection and provide excellent paint adhesion.
Powder Coating
Electrostatic thermoset powder coating for durable color finish. RAL/Pantone color matching available. Thickness 60-120μm. Excellent weather resistance and chip resistance. Ideal for outdoor, consumer-facing, and branded aluminum parts.
Bead Blasting
Uniform matte surface achieved by abrasive blasting with glass bead or aluminum oxide media. Removes tool marks and surface imperfections. Ra 1.6μm - 3.2μm. Provides consistent cosmetic appearance and reduces glare on machined parts.
Polishing (Satin / Mirror)
Mechanical polishing for decorative or functional requirements. Satin polish: Ra 0.2μm - 0.8μm with directional texture. Mirror polish: Ra ≤0.1μm for high-aesthetic or optical applications. Both remove surface flaws and tool marks for a premium finish.
Brushed Finish
Directional grain texture produced with abrasive belts. Popular for consumer electronics, architectural trim and decorative hardware where a consistent linear appearance is required.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Use standard stock sizes (e.g. 6061/7075 bar and plate) to minimize material waste, reduce cost and shorten lead time
- Maintain minimum wall thickness of 0.8mm for aluminum to prevent vibration, chatter marks and deflection during machining
- Specify chamfers on internal edges – typically 0.2-0.5mm at 45° – to ease deburring and improve part functionality
- Group radii to one or two tool sizes (e.g. R1.5, R3, R6) to shorten setup time and reduce tooling costs
- Avoid deep pockets with length-to-diameter ratio exceeding 4:1 to prevent tool deflection and maintain surface finish quality
- Design internal radii of at least 1/3 of pocket depth to allow proper tool access and reduce stress concentrations in the finished part
- Avoid walls thinner than 0.8mm that may warp or chatter; consider ribbing for stiffening thin sections without increasing wall thickness
- Provide flat surfaces or boss features for workholding to ensure stable machining and reduce setup time per part
- Upload STEP/IGES files for free DFM report within 24 hours; our engineers identify cost-reduction and quality-improvement opportunities before production
- Apply tight tolerances only on functional features; non-critical dimensions should use general tolerances to reduce machining time and cost
Tooling & Capacity
| Type | Lead Time | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling (3-axis / 4-axis) | 3-5 days prototype / 7-15 days production | Brackets, housings, enclosures, plates, complex contours, multi-face features, 4-axis indexing for angled holes and pockets |
| CNC Turning (Lathe + Swiss) | 5-10 days depending on complexity | Shafts, bushings, pins, threaded components, rings, connectors, high-precision cylindrical aluminum parts |
| Fixture & Jig Production | 1-2 weeks for repeat production tooling | 100-10,000 piece runs requiring consistent positioning, repeated operations, and minimized setup per cycle |
| Dedicated Production Cell | Volume pricing with committed lead times | 10,000+ piece orders with dedicated machine time, reduced per-piece cost and consistent quality from first to last part |
Quality Assurance
- Incoming material inspection – raw stock verified and recorded for every batch before machining begins
- First Article Inspection (FAI) with CMM measurement on initial production parts, with full dimensional report included in shipment
- In-process inspection at critical machining stages to catch deviations before they affect multiple parts
- Surface roughness measurement using profilometer to verify Ra values match specification requirements
- Calibrated measuring instruments: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, thread gauges – checked on a fixed schedule
- Dimensional capability study on critical dimensions for all production orders
- Visual inspection for burrs, tool marks, surface defects and dimensional non-conformances per customer specifications
- Final dimensional report with CMM data and surface finish measurements shipped with every batch
- Full traceability from raw material lot to finished part – inspection records and traveler documents retained for 10 years
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) monitoring for critical dimensions throughout production runs with data available on request
Applications
- Robotics and automation: structural brackets, actuator housings, joint components, end-effectors, precision linkages and sensor mounts
- Electronics: custom enclosures, heat sinks, RF shielding components, semiconductor equipment parts and connector hardware
- Automotive: mounting plates, brackets, fixture plates, battery housing components and custom prototyping parts
- Medical devices: device frames, instrument components, diagnostic equipment housings and laboratory fixture parts
- UAV and drone: frame components, motor mounts, landing gear parts, structural brackets and custom prototype parts
- Industrial equipment: jigs, fixtures, tooling plates, custom machine components and production-line hardware
- Consumer products: custom enclosures, decorative hardware, sporting equipment components and branded promotional parts
- Marine and outdoor: marine hardware, salt-resistant brackets, outdoor equipment components and corrosion-resistant structural parts
Why Choose FHY Precision
Specialized aluminum expertise: Deep knowledge of AL6061-T6, AL6063, AL7075-T6 and AL5083 – optimum feeds, speeds, coolant strategies and tooling for each alloy
Tight tolerance precision: Consistent ±0.02mm on standard features, ±0.01mm achievable on critical dimensions with CMM verification and SPC monitoring
Rapid prototype-to-production: 3-5 day prototypes with no tooling cost; direct scale-up to production with dedicated tooling and fixture support
Anodizing-ready surfaces: As-machined finishes optimized for Type II/III anodizing – consistent Ra, no surface contamination, uniform color acceptance
One-stop aluminum service: Material sourcing, CNC machining, surface finishing (anodizing, powder coat, bead blast, polish) and quality inspection under one roof
China factory pricing: Competitive manufacturing costs with strict quality control from our China workshop
Free DFM analysis: Upload STEP/IGES and receive a detailed DFM report within 24 hours – identifying cost savings and manufacturability improvements before production
Full material traceability: Raw stock is received with mill test reports documenting chemistry and mechanical properties, verified on incoming inspection
FAQ
1. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Our MOQ is 1 piece for CNC machining. There is no minimum – whether you need a single prototype or 100,000 machined parts, you receive the same precision and attention to quality. This makes CNC ideal for design validation, functional testing and low-volume production runs without tooling investment.
2. What aluminum grades do you machine?
We specialize in AL6061-T6 (most versatile, excellent anodizing), AL6063 (smooth finish, architectural quality), AL7075-T6 (highest strength, aerospace grade) and AL5083 (marine corrosion resistance). We also machine AL5052, AL2024 and AL6082, and can accommodate other aluminum grades on request. All aluminum stock is received with mill test reports documenting chemistry and mechanical properties.
3. How do I choose the right aluminum alloy for my part?
Choose AL6061-T6 for general structural parts, frames and brackets where good strength, corrosion resistance and anodizing response matter. Use AL7075-T6 when strength-to-weight and fatigue resistance are critical (aerospace, racing, high-stress brackets). AL6063 is best for extruded profiles and parts where surface finish and anodizing are primary. AL5083 is the choice for marine, cryogenic or welded assemblies. Send us your application and we will recommend the most cost-effective grade in the free DFM review.
4. Can you provide DFM analysis before I commit to production?
Yes – and it is free. Upload your STEP or IGES files and our engineers return a comprehensive DFM report within 24 hours. The report covers tool access, wall thickness, radii optimization, pocket depth ratios, tolerance assessment and specific cost-reduction suggestions. This proactive review prevents costly revisions and accelerates your timeline to market.
5. How long does aluminum CNC machining take?
Prototype CNC parts (no tooling): 3-5 business days for simple to moderately complex 3-axis parts. Production orders: 7-15 business days depending on quantity and surface finishing. 5-axis or high-complexity parts: 10-20 business days. Anodizing or powder coating adds 3-5 days. We confirm all delivery dates in writing with every quotation.
6. What surface finishes do you offer for aluminum parts?
Our aluminum finishing options include: As-machined (standard mill finish, Ra 1.6-3.2μm), Anodizing Type II (clear, black, red, blue, custom colors, 5-25μm), Anodizing Type III/Hard Coat (extreme wear resistance, 25-150μm), Powder coating (RAL color matching, 60-120μm, excellent durability), Bead blasting (uniform matte, Ra 1.6-3.2μm), Satin polish (Ra 0.2-0.8μm), Mirror polish (Ra ≤0.1μm), and Brushed finish (directional grain). Most finishing is performed in-house or through local partners.
7. What is the difference between Type II and Type III anodizing?
Type II anodizing (sulfuric acid, standard): Creates 5-25μm oxide layer, available in clear, black and custom colors. Improves corrosion resistance and paint adhesion; suitable for general-purpose aluminum parts. Type III anodizing (hard coat): Creates 25-150μm oxide layer, significantly harder and more wear-resistant. Ideal for high-wear, aerospace and military applications. Both processes are electrolytic – the oxide layer grows from the aluminum surface, providing built-in corrosion protection that will not chip or peel.
8. What tolerance can you hold on aluminum parts?
Our standard tolerance is ±0.02mm on machined dimensions. For precision features we consistently achieve ±0.01mm. Geometric tolerances (flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity, concentricity) are held to 0.02mm. All critical dimensions are verified by CMM with 0.001mm resolution and documented in the final dimensional report. Capability studies are maintained on production-critical features.
9. Do you have 5-axis CNC machining capability?
Yes, we have 4-axis and 5-axis CNC machining centers available. 5-axis machining is ideal for complex parts with undercuts, compound angles, contoured surfaces, impeller blades and medical implant geometry – reducing multiple setups to a single operation. Lead time for 5-axis work is typically 10-20 business days. Contact us with your geometry and we will recommend the most cost-effective machining strategy.
10. Can you machine prototypes from drawings if I do not have 3D files?
Yes. If you have 2D drawings (PDF, DXF, DWG) or sketches, we can interpret the drawings and machine to your specifications. We also offer reverse engineering services: if you have a physical sample, we can CMM-scan it and generate a 3D model. A small fee applies for reverse engineering, which is credited toward any subsequent production order.
11. How do you ensure material quality and traceability?
All aluminum raw stock is received with mill test reports documenting chemical composition, tensile and yield strength, elongation and hardness. Material is verified on incoming inspection and the documentation is included with your shipment. For applications needing enhanced traceability we can provide lot-level records and additional test reports on request.
12. Can you sign NDA to protect my design?
Absolutely. NDA signing is our standard practice before reviewing any customer design files. We have served clients in aerospace, defense, medical and consumer electronics sectors where IP protection is paramount. Our NDA covers CAD files, drawings, specifications, samples and all related business information. We can accommodate your standard NDA template or provide ours for review.
13. Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide. Small to medium orders (up to 30kg): DHL, FedEx or UPS express (3-7 business days). Larger orders: air freight or ocean freight (2-6 weeks). Export documentation includes commercial invoice, packing list and origin paperwork. All parts are carefully packed with anti-corrosion protection suitable for international transit.
14. How is pricing calculated for aluminum CNC parts?
Aluminum CNC pricing = Material cost + Machine time (setup + cutting) + Surface finishing + Inspection. Key pricing factors: part complexity (feature count, geometry), aluminum grade (6061 vs 7075), tolerance requirements, quantity and surface finish. Higher quantities reduce per-piece cost significantly because setup time is amortized over more parts. We provide detailed itemized quotations within 24 hours. Prototypes are affordable at 1-10 pieces; production volumes see substantial per-piece savings.
15. What are the most common aluminum machining issues and how do you avoid them?
Our DFM review covers these before production: Thin walls (<0.8mm) → vibration and chatter. FHY solution: maintain ≥0.8mm wall thickness or add ribs for stiffening. Deep pockets (L/D >4:1) → tool deflection. FHY solution: limit depth-to-diameter ratio; consider stepped pockets. Sharp internal corners → tool radius marks. FHY solution: specify appropriate fillet radii matching available tool sizes. Burrs on edges → assembly issues. FHY solution: add chamfer specifications (0.2-0.5mm x 45°) to all functional edges. Warpage in thin plates → residual stress. FHY solution: specify stress-relief machining sequence or annealing for plates under 5mm thickness. Built-up edge on the cutter → poor finish. FHY solution: sharp carbide tooling, correct coolant and feeds/speeds tuned for aluminum.
16. What file formats do you accept, and how should I prepare drawings for machining?
For quoting and programming, a 3D file in STEP or IGES format is ideal because it carries exact geometry. XT (Parasolid) and native CAD files also work. Please add a 2D PDF drawing that marks critical tolerances, surface finishes, threads and material spec – the drawing tells us what matters, not just what the shape is. STL files are meshes: we can work from them, but the shop has to reverse-engineer surfaces first, which adds a day. Photos, sketches and physical samples are enough to start a conversation.