CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled grinding with material-aware setup for Beryllium Copper — an alloy that is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
Process Data for CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper
| Wheel (supply condition) | Silicon carbide, wet only |
|---|---|
| Depth per pass (rough / finish) | 0.02-0.05 / 0.002-0.005 mm |
| Achievable finish | Ra 0.4-0.8 µm (soft metals load the wheel) |
| Typical size tolerance | Ø ±0.002 mm, roundness 0.001-0.002 mm |
| Thermal growth, 200 mm part, +2 °C | 6.8 µm (CTE 17 µm/m·K) |
Shown for C17200 Beryllium Copper, the most common Beryllium Copper grade we see for CNC Grinding. Typical values for C17200 Beryllium Copper, Solution annealed (TB00) or aged (TH04); confirmed on the first part.
CNC Grinding Capability for Beryllium Copper
- Surface finish to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm
- Dimensional tolerance to ±0.002 mm
- Flatness/parallelism within 0.005 mm
- Wheel grit selected per alloy hardness
Beryllium Copper Material Data
| Density | 8.25 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 1140–1380 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 1000–1200 MPa |
| Hardness | 36–42 HRC |
| Melting point | 866–980 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 105–130 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 17.8 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 22% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 20–35% |
| Grades we run | C17200, C17300, C17510 (high conductivity), C17410 |
Published typical values for C17200 (TH04/AT). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Machined in the solution-annealed state and age-hardened afterwards, which shrinks the part by roughly 0.1–0.2%. That shrink is compensated in the program.
How CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper Works
An abrasive wheel removes a fine, controlled layer from the Beryllium Copper part. Wheel specification, dressing interval, infeed and coolant are matched to the alloy's hardness so the surface is not burned or left with residual stress.
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 Grinding Beryllium Copper
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Size (OD, ID, thickness) | ±0.005 mm | ±0.002 mm |
| Flatness over 100 mm | 0.010 mm | 0.003 mm |
| Parallelism | 0.010 mm | 0.003 mm |
| Roundness | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Squareness | 0.010 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.4 µm | Ra 0.1 µm |
| Workpiece hardness | up to 62 HRC | up to 65 HRC |
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 Grinding Beryllium Copper
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Allowing adequate grind stock, specifying realistic flatness over the true datum, and relieving corners help us hit tight tolerances on Beryllium Copper efficiently. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Beryllium Copper
Beryllium Copper is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life. 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.
CNC Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish
Ground Beryllium Copper reaches single-micron tolerances on size, flatness and parallelism, with surface finishes down to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm — and a near-mirror finish on suitable alloys.
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 Grinding Beryllium Copper
Beryllium Copper parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
Typical Beryllium Copper Parts for CNC Grinding
Illustrative examples of CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.
Punch tool
- Material
- Beryllium Copper
- Size
- Ø10 × 60 mm
- Key callouts
- OD ±0.002 mm, roundness 0.002 mm, Ra 0.1 µm
- Batch
- 300 pcs
Cylindrical ground after hardening to 60 HRC — machining soft would not hold the size.
Lapping plate
- Material
- Beryllium Copper
- Size
- 300 × 300 × 30 mm
- Key callouts
- Flatness 0.005 mm over the full face
- Batch
- 20 pcs
Ground, stress-relieved, ground again — one pass will not hold flatness on this area.
Slitter blade
- Material
- Beryllium Copper
- Size
- Ø150 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Thickness ±0.005 mm, edge concentricity 0.005 mm
- Batch
- 400 pcs
Ground in a stack so all blades in a set share the same thickness.
Finishing Options for Beryllium Copper
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Grinding Beryllium Copper
- 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 Beryllium Copper 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 Grinding
Other Processes for Beryllium Copper
Send the drawing, the Beryllium Copper 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 is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper?
CNC Grinding prototypes for Beryllium Copper can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper?
We machine Beryllium Copper across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
Which industries use CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper parts?
CNC Grinding Beryllium Copper parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Beryllium Copper components are required.
Why is Beryllium Copper a good choice for CNC Grinding?
Beryllium Copper is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life, which makes it well suited to CNC Grinding. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Beryllium Copper grinding part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.