CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum

VT machining provides CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum for customers who need accurate, repeatable Aluminum components. Because Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.

CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum at VT machining
CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Gear Hobbing Capability for Aluminum

  • Spur & helical gears
  • Module range support
  • Pre-grind accuracy
  • High productivity

Aluminum Material Data

Aluminum — typical properties, quoted for 6061-T6
Density2.70 g/cm³
Tensile strength310 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)276 MPa
Hardness95 HB
Melting point582–652 °C
Thermal conductivity167 W/m·K
Thermal expansion23.6 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity43%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)190%
Grades we run6061, 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.

Machining Aluminum — what actually causes trouble

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 Hobbing 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.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum

CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Accuracy classDIN 8 / AGMA 10DIN 6 / AGMA 12
Profile deviation0.020 mm0.008 mm
Lead deviation0.020 mm0.008 mm
Pitch deviation (cumulative)0.040 mm0.015 mm
Runout0.030 mm0.010 mm
Tooth surface finishRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm (ground)
Module rangem0.5–m8m1–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 Hobbing Aluminum

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. 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.

Working with Aluminum

As a material, Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

CNC Gear Hobbing Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Aluminum part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

CNC Gear Hobbing 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.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Aluminum parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

Applications of CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum

Customers order CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Aluminum

Three representative CNC Gear Hobbing 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.

Worm and wheel set

Material
Aluminum
Size
m3, single start
Key callouts
Backlash 0.05–0.10 mm as a matched pair
Batch
120 sets

Supplied as matched sets and marked, because mixing pairs loses the backlash spec.

Internal ring gear

Material
Aluminum
Size
m2.5, z72, ID 190 mm
Key callouts
DIN 8, pitch deviation 0.03 mm
Batch
150 pcs

Shaped rather than hobbed — an internal gear leaves no room for a hob to run out.

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.

Finishing Options for Aluminum

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Clear anodise (Type II)5–25 µmCorrosion protection, keeps the natural colour
Colour anodise10–25 µmBlack, red, blue, gold; add 0.02 mm to close tolerances
Hard anodise (Type III)25–50 µm60–70 HRC surface, grows 50% into the part
Chromate / Alodine 1200< 1 µmConductive, meets MIL-DTL-5541
Powder coat60–120 µmRAL colours, needs 0.3 mm clearance on mating features
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 Gear Hobbing 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 Hobbing

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 Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What material thickness or size range suits CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum?

We machine Aluminum across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.

Can VT machining make custom Aluminum parts to my drawing?

Yes. Aluminum Aluminum gear cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Gear Hobbing on Aluminum?

Machined Aluminum edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.

What surface finish is achievable on Aluminum with CNC Gear Hobbing?

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

Which industries use CNC Gear Hobbing Aluminum parts?

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