CNC Polishing Aluminum from VT machining delivers precision Aluminum parts produced to your exact drawing. CNC polishing refines surfaces to a smooth, reflective finish for cosmetic and functional needs, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Aluminum, which is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance.
CNC Polishing Capability for Aluminum
- Mirror finish capable
- Ra to 0.05 µm
- Cosmetic & sealing faces
- Multi-stage abrasives
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 Polishing Aluminum Works
Abrasive media or tooling refine the Aluminum 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 Polishing Aluminum
| 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 Polishing 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.
CNC Polishing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Finishing brings Aluminum 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.
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.
Working with Aluminum
Aluminum offers a useful combination of properties: it is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance. 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.
Design Tips for CNC Polishing Aluminum
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 Aluminum efficiently without over-processing. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Polishing Aluminum
CNC Polishing 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 Polishing 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 Polishing 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.
Hydraulic bore
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- Ø32 × 200 mm
- Key callouts
- Ra 0.4 µm cross-hatch 45°, roundness 0.003 mm
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Honed in three stages; the cross-hatch is what holds the oil film.
Passivated stainless fitting
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- Ø18 × 40 mm
- Key callouts
- ASTM A967 citric passivation, no free iron
- Batch
- 5,000 pcs
Passivated after all machining, then tested with a copper sulphate check.
Mirror-polished insert
- Material
- Aluminum
- 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 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 Polishing 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 Polishing
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
Why is Aluminum a good choice for CNC Polishing?
Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Polishing. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Aluminum finishing part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What surface finish is achievable on Aluminum with CNC Polishing?
Our finishing processes refine Aluminum surfaces to Ra values as low as 0.05 µm for cosmetic or sealing faces.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Polishing Aluminum?
Achievable tolerances for Aluminum finishing 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.
Does CNC Polishing Aluminum require dedicated tooling?
Most Aluminum finishing work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
Can VT machining make custom Aluminum parts to my drawing?
Yes. Aluminum Aluminum 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 is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Polishing Aluminum?
CNC Polishing 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.