CNC EDM Drilling Brass is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled EDM machining with material-aware setup for Brass — an alloy that is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
CNC EDM Drilling Capability for Brass
- Ø0.2–3 mm holes
- Deep aspect ratios
- Hardened-metal drilling
- Angled hole capability
Brass Material Data
| Density | 8.50 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 340–470 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125–310 MPa |
| Hardness | 78–130 HB |
| Melting point | 885–900 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 115 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 26% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 100% (the benchmark) |
| Grades we run | C36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval |
Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.
How CNC EDM Drilling Brass Works
Material is removed from the Brass workpiece by controlled electrical discharges across a dielectric gap, with no mechanical contact. Flushing, on/off pulse timing and electrode/wire feed are set to balance speed against surface finish.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC EDM Drilling Brass
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Profile dimension | ±0.010 mm | ±0.002 mm |
| Internal corner radius | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Taper control over 50 mm | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Surface finish (skim passes) | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.2 µm |
| Recast layer | 10 µm | 2 µm (fine skim) |
| Start-hole diameter | 1.0 mm | 0.25 mm |
| Workpiece hardness | no limit (conductive) | no limit (conductive) |
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.
CNC EDM Drilling Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Brass parts are checked in-process and verified at final inspection using calibrated instruments and, where required, CMM measurement. Full documentation — dimensional reports, mill certs, FAIR — is available when your programme needs it.
CNC EDM Drilling Tolerances & Surface Finish
EDM holds tolerances to roughly ±0.002–0.005 mm with no cutting force on the Brass part, producing fine, controlled surface textures and sharp internal corners impossible to mill.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Design Tips for CNC EDM Drilling Brass
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. EDM suits sharp internal corners, thin ribs and hardened Brass that cannot be milled; allowing a small corner radius where possible speeds the cut. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete Brass components with the secondary steps your drawing calls for. We arrange heat treatment, surface treatment, marking and assembly as needed. Tell us the final spec and we will plan the full route so parts arrive ready to use.
Working with Brass
Brass offers a useful combination of properties: it is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Those characteristics shape how we approach EDM — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
Applications of CNC EDM Drilling Brass
CNC EDM Drilling of Brass supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
How to Order CNC EDM Drilling Brass
Ordering Brass parts is straightforward. Provide the drawing, material, quantity and any certification needs. Our engineers reply — in English — with feasibility, pricing and a realistic lead time, usually within one business day.
Parts We Have Run in Brass
Three representative CNC EDM Drilling Brass 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.
Injection mould cavity rib
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 0.25 mm wide × 8 mm deep
- Key callouts
- Width ±0.005 mm, VDI 21 finish
- Batch
- 45 pcs
Sinker EDM with a graphite electrode; a cutter that thin would break in the first pass.
Spline broach section
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- Ø28 × 40 mm
- Key callouts
- Involute profile ±0.005 mm, Ra 0.4 µm
- Batch
- 60 pcs
Wire EDM after hardening to 62 HRC — the profile would not survive being cut soft and heat-treated.
Extrusion die
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 120 × 120 × 25 mm
- Key callouts
- Profile ±0.005 mm, internal corner R0.1 mm
- Batch
- 35 pcs
Cut in four skim passes; the first pass is speed, the last three are finish and accuracy.
Finishing Options for Brass
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel plate | 5–15 µm | Hard, bright, corrosion resistant |
| Chrome plate | 0.3–1 µm | Decorative, over nickel |
| Clear lacquer | 10–20 µm | Stops the natural tarnish |
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable contacts |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
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.
What We Need to Quote CNC EDM Drilling Brass
- 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 Brass 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 EDM Drilling
Other Processes for Brass
Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What material thickness or size range suits CNC EDM Drilling Brass?
We machine Brass across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
Which industries use CNC EDM Drilling Brass parts?
CNC EDM Drilling Brass parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Brass components are required.
What is CNC EDM Drilling Brass and how is it done?
CNC EDM Drilling Brass refers to fast-hole EDM drilling produces small, deep holes in hard metals, including starter holes for wire EDM. Applied to Brass — free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC EDM Drilling Brass?
CNC EDM Drilling prototypes for Brass can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
Why is Brass a good choice for CNC EDM Drilling?
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, which makes it well suited to CNC EDM Drilling. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Brass EDM machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
Does CNC EDM Drilling Brass require dedicated tooling?
Wire EDM needs no shaped tooling; sinker EDM uses a shaped electrode we produce in-house for your cavity.