CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled gear cutting with material-aware setup for Aluminum — an alloy that is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
CNC Gear Grinding Capability for Aluminum
- DIN/AGMA accuracy class
- Profile & lead correction
- Hardened-gear finishing
- Low transmission noise
Aluminum Material Data
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 310 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 276 MPa |
| Hardness | 95 HB |
| Melting point | 582–652 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 167 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 43% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 190% |
| Grades we run | 6061, 6082, 6063, 7075-T6, 5052, 2024-T3, MIC-6 cast plate |
Published typical values for 6061-T6. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Thin walls relax after roughing. We rough, let the part stabilise, then finish — otherwise a 1.5 mm wall bows by more than the tolerance it was cut to.
How CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum Works
Tooth profiles are generated in the Aluminum blank by a synchronised cutter, then refined to the required accuracy class. Module, pressure angle and helix are programmed from your gear data.
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 Gear Grinding Aluminum
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy class | DIN 8 / AGMA 10 | DIN 6 / AGMA 12 |
| Profile deviation | 0.020 mm | 0.008 mm |
| Lead deviation | 0.020 mm | 0.008 mm |
| Pitch deviation (cumulative) | 0.040 mm | 0.015 mm |
| Runout | 0.030 mm | 0.010 mm |
| Tooth surface finish | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm (ground) |
| Module range | m0.5–m8 | m1–m6 |
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.
Design Tips for CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Providing complete gear data (module, pressure angle, profile shift, quality class) lets us produce Aluminum gears right the first time. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Gear Grinding Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Aluminum 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.
Working with Aluminum
Aluminum offers a useful combination of properties: it is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance. Those characteristics shape how we approach gear manufacturing — 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete Aluminum 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.
CNC Gear Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish
Gear features are produced to a specified DIN/AGMA accuracy class, with profile and lead controlled for quiet, durable running under load.
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.
Applications of CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum
CNC Gear Grinding of Aluminum 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 Gear Grinding Aluminum
Ordering Aluminum 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 Aluminum
Three representative CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum 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.
Bevel gear pair
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- m2, z20/z40, 90° axes
- Key callouts
- DIN 8, mounting distance ±0.03 mm
- Batch
- 200 sets
Contact pattern checked on a rolling tester before release.
Spur gear
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- m2, z40, 20° PA, face 20 mm
- Key callouts
- DIN 7, runout 0.02 mm
- Batch
- 500 pcs
Hobbed, hardened, then hard-finished; skipping the finish pass costs a full accuracy class.
Helical pinion
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- m1.5, z18, 15° helix
- Key callouts
- DIN 6, lead deviation 0.008 mm
- Batch
- 300 pcs
Ground after case hardening to 58 HRC at 0.6 mm case depth.
Finishing Options for Aluminum
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Clear anodise (Type II) | 5–25 µm | Corrosion protection, keeps the natural colour |
| Colour anodise | 10–25 µm | Black, red, blue, gold; add 0.02 mm to close tolerances |
| Hard anodise (Type III) | 25–50 µm | 60–70 HRC surface, grows 50% into the part |
| Chromate / Alodine 1200 | < 1 µm | Conductive, meets MIL-DTL-5541 |
| Powder coat | 60–120 µm | RAL colours, needs 0.3 mm clearance on mating features |
| 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 Gear Grinding Aluminum
- 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 Aluminum 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 Gear Grinding
Other Processes for Aluminum
Send the drawing, the Aluminum 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 tolerances can you hold for CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum?
Achievable tolerances for Aluminum gear cutting depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. We hold tight, repeatable tolerances appropriate to the feature and material. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
Why is Aluminum a good choice for CNC Gear Grinding?
Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Gear Grinding. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Aluminum gear cutting part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What is CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum and how is it done?
CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum refers to gear grinding finishes hardened gear teeth to high accuracy class for quiet, durable transmission. Applied to Aluminum — lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance — 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 Gear Grinding Aluminum?
CNC Gear Grinding prototypes for Aluminum 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 Gear Grinding Aluminum parts?
CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Aluminum components are required.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Gear Grinding Aluminum?
We machine Aluminum across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.