VT machining provides CNC Grinding Bronze for customers who need accurate, repeatable Bronze components. Because Bronze is wear resistant with good bearing properties, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
Process Data for CNC Grinding Bronze
| Wheel (supply condition) | Silicon carbide |
|---|---|
| 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 | 6.5 µm (CTE 16.2 µm/m·K) |
Shown for C954 Aluminum Bronze, the most common Bronze grade we see for CNC Grinding. Typical values for C954 Aluminum Bronze, As cast or heat-treated; confirmed on the first part.
CNC Grinding Capability for Bronze
- 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
Bronze Material Data
| Density | 8.80 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 240 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125 MPa |
| Hardness | 65 HB |
| Melting point | 855–980 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 59 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 18.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 12% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 70% |
| Grades we run | C93200 SAE 660, C54400, C63000 aluminium bronze, C86300 manganese bronze |
Published typical values for C93200 (SAE 660). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Cast bearing bronze has porosity. On sealing faces we specify continuous-cast stock rather than sand-cast, because a pinhole in a bore face is not repairable.
How CNC Grinding Bronze Works
An abrasive wheel removes a fine, controlled layer from the Bronze 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.
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 Grinding Bronze
| 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 Bronze
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Allowing adequate grind stock, specifying realistic flatness over the true datum, and relieving corners help us hit tight tolerances on Bronze efficiently. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish
Ground Bronze 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.
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.
Working with Bronze
Bronze offers a useful combination of properties: it is wear resistant with good bearing properties. Those characteristics shape how we approach grinding — 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 Grinding Bronze
CNC Grinding of Bronze 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.
Typical Bronze Parts for CNC Grinding
Illustrative examples of CNC Grinding Bronze 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.
Gauge block set
- Material
- Bronze
- Size
- 50 × 30 × 10 mm
- Key callouts
- Thickness ±0.002 mm, flatness 0.002 mm, parallelism 0.002 mm
- Batch
- 200 pcs
Ground wet in one chucking, then left to normalise before final inspection at 20 °C.
Slitter blade
- Material
- Bronze
- 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.
Lapping plate
- Material
- Bronze
- 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.
Finishing Options for Bronze
| 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 Bronze
- 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 Bronze 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 Bronze
Send the drawing, the Bronze grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Grinding on Bronze?
Machined Bronze edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Grinding Bronze?
Achievable tolerances for Bronze grinding depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Grinding routinely holds single-micron tolerances on diameter, flatness and parallelism. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
Why is Bronze a good choice for CNC Grinding?
Bronze is wear resistant with good bearing properties, which makes it well suited to CNC Grinding. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Bronze grinding part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Grinding Bronze?
CNC Grinding prototypes for Bronze 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 Bronze?
We machine Bronze across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
Can VT machining make custom Bronze parts to my drawing?
Yes. Bronze grinding 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.