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Manufacturing
Part specs filed under Manufacturing.
Manufacturing
Stop Treating Aluminum Like Weak Steel in Machined Parts
Material6061-T6 aluminum alloy (also 7075-T6 for higher-strength parts)
Tolerance±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) on critical features; ±0.13 mm (±0.005 in) on non-critical dimensions
ProcessCNC milling and drilling with high-positive-geometry carbide tooling
Aluminum is not a soft stand-in for steel.
Manufacturing
Why Cast Aluminum Machines Like a Dream: A Machinist's Field Report
MaterialCast aluminum alloys, typically Al-Si grades such as 356, 319, A360, or A380
ToleranceGeneral machining ±0.13 mm (±0.005 in); critical bores and fits held to ±0.025 mm (±0.001 in)
ProcessCNC milling and turning of castings, including face milling, pocketing, drilling, boring, and tapping
Cast aluminum has a reputation in machine shops that borders on affectionate.
Manufacturing
Machinability Is a Lie: Pick Materials for Manufacturing, Not Just Strength
MaterialMedium-carbon steel (e.g., 1045) or cast aluminum depending on load case
Tolerance±0.05 mm on bore diameter, ±0.1 mm on mounting hole locations
ProcessCNC milling and boring with drilling and tapping for fasteners
Machinability is often treated as a fixed property of a material, a number that tells you how easily a cutter will slice through it.
Manufacturing
Why Machinability Ratings Should Drive Your Material Choice
MaterialCarbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy selected by machinability rating
Tolerance±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) on critical features, looser on non-functional surfaces
ProcessTurning, milling, and drilling on conventional and CNC machine tools
Machinability ratings exist to compare how easily a material can be cut, and they deserve a place near the top of any material selection checklist.