CNC Drilling Tungsten

Looking for reliable CNC Drilling Tungsten? VT machining manufactures Tungsten parts to tight tolerances and consistent quality. Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance, so the process is set up specifically for the material.

CNC Drilling Tungsten at VT machining
CNC Drilling Tungsten — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Drilling Capability for Tungsten

  • Hole position ±0.05 mm
  • Depth-to-diameter to 10:1+
  • Peck and through-coolant cycles
  • Spot, drill, ream sequencing

Tungsten Material Data

Tungsten — typical properties, quoted for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe
Density19.25 g/cm³
Tensile strength750–1500 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)550 MPa
Hardness350–500 HV
Melting point3422 °C
Thermal conductivity173 W/m·K
Thermal expansion4.5 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity31%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)grind / EDM only
Grades we runPure W (99.95%), W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy (17.0–18.5 g/cm³), WC-Co

Published typical values for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Tungsten — what actually causes trouble

Conventional cutting is not on the table for pure tungsten. Features are wire-EDM cut and ground; expect longer lead time than any other metal on the list.

How CNC Drilling Tungsten Works

Rotating multi-flute cutters remove material as the Tungsten workpiece is driven through programmed tool paths on 3-, 4- or 5-axis machining centres. Climb milling, step-over and depth-of-cut are set so chip load stays in the ideal band for the alloy.

We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Drilling Tungsten

CNC Drilling Tungsten — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Linear dimension (< 100 mm)±0.05 mm±0.010 mm
Linear dimension (100–300 mm)±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Hole diameter (reamed)H9H7
True position of hole pattern±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Flatness over 100 mm0.05 mm0.015 mm
Perpendicularity0.10 mm0.020 mm
Surface finish, as machinedRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Most Tungsten parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.

CNC Drilling Quality & Inspection

Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.

Working with Tungsten

Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.

Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.

Design Tips for CNC Drilling Tungsten

Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Generous internal radii, sensible pocket depth-to-width ratios and avoiding very thin unsupported walls all reduce cost and improve accuracy in Tungsten. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

CNC Drilling Tolerances & Surface Finish

For CNC Drilling, dimensional and positional tolerances around ±0.01 mm are routine, tightening toward ±0.005 mm on precision setups. Surface finish on machined faces typically falls in the Ra 0.4–1.6 µm range depending on tooling and pass strategy.

The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.

Applications of CNC Drilling Tungsten

Tungsten parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.

How to Order CNC Drilling Tungsten

Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Tungsten grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.

Parts We Have Run in Tungsten

Three representative CNC Drilling Tungsten jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.

Manifold block

Material
Tungsten
Size
120 × 60 × 45 mm
Key callouts
Cross-bore intersection ±0.05 mm, ports G1/8", leak-tested to 10 bar
Batch
80 pcs

Deburred internally with a brush tool; a burr at a cross-bore is what fails the leak test.

Heat sink base

Material
Tungsten
Size
200 × 100 × 8 mm
Key callouts
Fin thickness 1.2 ±0.05 mm, base flatness 0.03 mm
Batch
500 pcs

Fins cut with a slotting cutter in one pass to avoid the deflection a step-over leaves.

Vacuum chamber flange

Material
Tungsten
Size
Ø180 × 20 mm
Key callouts
Knife-edge seal Ra 0.4 µm, bolt circle ±0.05 mm
Batch
60 pcs

Sealing face finished last, then handled in gloves and bagged straight off the machine.

Finishing Options for Tungsten

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
Free — no sign-up

No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Drilling Tungsten

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Tungsten grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Drilling

Other Processes for Tungsten

Send the drawing, the Tungsten grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What surface finish is achievable on Tungsten with CNC Drilling?

Surface finish on Tungsten is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.

Why is Tungsten a good choice for CNC Drilling?

Tungsten is extreme hardness, density and heat resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Drilling. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Tungsten machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Drilling Tungsten?

CNC Drilling prototypes for Tungsten can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.

Which industries use CNC Drilling Tungsten parts?

CNC Drilling Tungsten parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Tungsten components are required.