VT machining provides CNC Honing 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.
CNC Honing Capability for Bronze
- Bore Ra to 0.1 µm
- Cross-hatch pattern
- Roundness within 0.002 mm
- Hydraulic-bore finishing
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 Honing Bronze Works
Abrasive media or tooling refine the Bronze surface in controlled stages, removing the previous step's marks until the target roughness and edge condition are reached.
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 Honing Bronze
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.05 µm |
| Edge break | 0.1–0.3 mm | 0.05 ±0.02 mm |
| Material removed | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Bore roundness after honing | 0.005 mm | 0.002 mm |
| Cross-hatch angle | 45° ±10° | 45° ±5° |
| Cosmetic grade | uniform satin | mirror, no visible lines |
| Masking of datum faces | on request | standard |
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 Honing Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Bronze 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 Honing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Finishing brings Bronze to a defined roughness target — from a uniform satin to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm — with controlled, repeatable edge breaks.
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 finishing — 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 Bronze 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.
Design Tips for CNC Honing Bronze
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Telling us the target Ra, the cosmetic faces and any masking needs lets us finish Bronze efficiently without over-processing. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Honing Bronze
CNC Honing 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.
How to Order CNC Honing Bronze
Ordering Bronze 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 Bronze
Three representative CNC Honing Bronze 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.
Deburred stamping
- Material
- Bronze
- Size
- 40 × 25 × 1 mm
- Key callouts
- Edge break 0.05–0.15 mm, no sharp edges
- Batch
- 30,000 pcs
Vibratory finished in media sized to reach every internal cutout.
Cosmetic housing
- Material
- Bronze
- Size
- 150 × 90 mm visible face
- Key callouts
- Uniform satin, no directional lines
- Batch
- 2,500 pcs
Grained in one direction with datum faces masked so they keep their tolerance.
Mirror-polished insert
- Material
- Bronze
- Size
- 80 × 50 mm cavity
- Key callouts
- Ra 0.05 µm, SPI A2
- Batch
- 60 pcs
Polished in five abrasive stages; skipping one leaves scratches the next cannot remove.
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 Honing 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 Honing
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
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Honing Bronze?
CNC Honing 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.
Can VT machining make custom Bronze parts to my drawing?
Yes. Bronze Bronze finishing 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.
What surface finish is achievable on Bronze with CNC Honing?
Our finishing processes refine Bronze surfaces to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm for cosmetic or sealing faces.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Honing Bronze?
We machine Bronze across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Honing on Bronze?
Our deburring leaves Bronze with a consistent, controlled edge break and burr-free surfaces.
What is CNC Honing Bronze and how is it done?
CNC Honing Bronze refers to honing finishes bores with abrasive stones to precise size, roundness and a cross-hatch surface. Applied to Bronze — wear resistant with good bearing properties — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.