Aluminum CNC machining, from prototype to anodised production.
6061, 7075, 2024, 5083 and 6082 — milled, turned, deburred and finished. One part or 10,000, with the tolerance and finish stated before you order.
- ±0.002 mm critical features
- Thin-wall experience from 0.5 mm
- Type II / III anodising
- CMM first article
- No MOQ, 16-hour quotes
Grades we machine
| Grade | Why buyers choose it | Typical parts |
|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | Good machinability, weldable, anodises well | Housings, brackets, plates, fixtures |
| 7075-T6 | High strength, good fatigue resistance | Aerospace brackets, high-load components |
| 2024-T4 | High strength, lower corrosion resistance | Aircraft structures, precision plates |
| 5083 | Marine corrosion resistance, weldable | Marine hardware, tanks, frames |
| 6082 | Similar to 6061, common in Europe | General machined components |
If your drawing calls for another grade, send the spec. We will confirm stock and machinability before quoting.
Finishes for aluminum
Type II anodising
Clear, black and colours. Good for cosmetic parts and moderate wear.
Type III hard anodising
Thicker, harder coating for wear surfaces, pistons and sliding parts.
Bead blasting and brushing
Satin, matte and brushed looks before anodising.
Polishing and laser marking
Cosmetic polishing, part numbers, serials and logos.
Thin walls and distortion
Thin aluminum parts move because machining releases residual stress in the plate, and because heat builds up in the wall. We plan the cut sequence, keep the wall supported, take lighter finish passes and, where it helps, stress-relieve before finishing. If a wall is below 1 mm, we say so in the quote and propose a design change — a rib, a smaller pocket or a different grain direction — instead of quietly machining a part that will not measure right.
Aluminum material data · Why thin-wall parts distort · Surface finishes
What we make in aluminum
Enclosures and housings
Milled shells, lids, bezels, heat sinks and mounting features.
Brackets and structural parts
Load-bearing brackets, base plates and frame components.
Fixtures and test rigs
Nest fixtures, assembly jigs and test stands.
Heat sinks and thermal plates
Finned and pocketed plates with flatness callouts.
Prototype plates and panels
One-off plates, front panels and bezels.
Anodised consumer hardware
Knife parts, EDC hardware and small mechanical assemblies.
Tolerance and inspection
Unmarked dimensions follow ISO 2768-mK. Critical features are held to ±0.002 mm where the drawing calls for it, and fits are machined to ISO 286 IT6–IT8. The first article is measured on the CMM before the run continues; the report is a PDF. For thin walls and large flat parts, the quote states the tolerance we can actually hold, not the tolerance we wish we could.
FAQ
Which aluminum grades do you machine?
6061-T6 most often, plus 7075-T6, 2024-T4, 5083 and 6082. We buy from certified stock and can supply EN 10204 3.1 certificates on request.
Can you anodise the parts?
Yes — Type II and Type III, clear, black and colours, through long-term partner plants. Hard anodising is available for wear surfaces. Finishing is quoted as one finished part, one invoice.
How thin can you machine aluminum walls?
0.5 mm is possible on small parts with the right support and light cuts; 1 mm is a safer starting point. Send the drawing and we will tell you where the risk is before quoting.
Why do thin aluminum parts distort?
Machining releases residual stress in the plate. We plan the cut sequence, remove material evenly, and sometimes stress-relieve before the finish pass. Design changes such as ribs or a smaller pocket often help more than a slower cut.
What tolerance can you hold in aluminum?
±0.002 mm on critical milled features, ISO 286 IT6–IT8 fits, and ISO 2768-mK for unmarked dimensions. Thin walls and large flat parts are quoted with the achievable tolerance stated.
Do you do prototype quantities?
Yes — one part is a valid order. Most aluminum prototypes are 5–10 working days after drawing approval.
Send an aluminum part. Get a real quote in 16 hours.
Upload a STEP file and drawing. We reply with price, lead time, finishing options and a DFM note.