cncIt is subtractive manufacturing, which is about 30 years longer than 3D printing. CNC is known for its fast, accurate, and versatile manufacturing industry, which belongs to advanced manufacturing, what kind of material is suitable for CNC machining?Is extrusion-resistant material OK?This article explores them one by one for you.
1.Birch plywood
Birch plywood is ideal for CNC applications because of its consistent architecture, which is a void-free and stable cabinet-grade plywood, and also has a nice exposed edge to enhance the design.
Available in thicknesses of 1 10 1 inches, it is easy to cut and also easy to incorporate CNC machining.
2.PC polycarbonate
PC polycarbonate, also known as Lexan or Makrolon, is a strong, impact-resistant, engineering-grade plastic that works well with CNC machining technology. Thicker PC materials can be very expensive, so if you use 1 4" clear sheets, then PC will be a versatile material that can be easily cut.
Available in thicknesses of 1 10-3 4 inches, it is easy to cut, has high impact strength and can be cold formed.
3.Aluminum
Aluminum has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, much harder than plastic, but it needs lubrication or cooling to be easier to use in CNC cutting, 4 times stronger than PC polycarbonate, 30 times harder, is a basic engineering material, strong, lightweight, non-corrosive, and can be used hard coating to improve wear resistance.
Thicknesses range from 1 32 inches to a few inches, and 5052-H32 is available for CNC machining bending and 6061-T6 for welding.
4.Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene UHMW
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) is known as the poor man's polytetrafluoroethylene, in addition to having the same ultra-low coefficient of friction, UHMW is also very strong, but also has good flexibility, so it is not a precision material. It's just that if you need bulky, smooth, indestructible, and non-hygroscopic parts, then UHMW is a good material choice.
Available in a thickness of 1 8 5 inches, the UHMW is easy to cut, has a smooth surface, and has excellent abrasion and impact resistance, but is usually only available in black or white, and may require color post-treatment.
5.Acetal
Acetal, also known as POM or Delrin, is a very good engineering grade material with properties very similar to nylon, but it does not absorb water and cuts like cream.
Acetal is available in a thickness of 1 32 4 inches, CNC cutting is very easy and accurate, low friction, low water absorption, usually only black or white.
Here are other common options for CNC milling materials:
MDF is a cost-effective wood-like composite material, but it produces a lot of dust.
Nylon is a little more expensive than acetal, absorbent, and expands, but it is a good bearing material.
Compared to PC polycarbonate, acrylic (plexiglass) is clearer and more resistant to scratches, but because the impact strength is much lower, it is difficult to cut, and care should be taken not to cold bend.
G-10 FR4 is a material used to make circuit boards, an epoxy-grade industrial laminate and phenolic resin with high strength and low moisture absorption, and as a glass-filled material, it is harder and stronger than PC polycarbonate.
CNC machining