VT machining provides CNC Press Brake Forming 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 Press Brake Forming Capability for Aluminum
- Tonnage matched to material
- Air, bottom & coining
- Repeatable bend angles
- Long-part capability
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 Press Brake Forming Aluminum Works
The Aluminum blank is bent or formed against tooling under CNC-controlled ram travel and back-gauge positioning. Bend allowance and springback are compensated in the program so finished angles hit the print.
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 Press Brake Forming Aluminum
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Bend angle | ±1.0° | ±0.5° |
| Flange length | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Hole-to-bend distance | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Minimum inside radius | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Minimum flange height | 4 × thickness + radius | 3 × thickness + radius |
| Bend-to-bend spacing | ±0.30 mm | ±0.15 mm |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5–8.0 mm | 0.5–4.0 mm |
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 Press Brake Forming Aluminum
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Consistent bend radii, adequate flange lengths and grain-direction awareness reduce cracking and springback in formed Aluminum. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Press Brake Forming Tolerances & Surface Finish
Formed Aluminum holds bend angles to about ±0.5° and consistent flange dimensions, with bend allowance compensated for the material and thickness.
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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Aluminum parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Working with Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance. 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 Press Brake Forming Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Applications of CNC Press Brake Forming Aluminum
Aluminum parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Press Brake Forming Aluminum
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Aluminum grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Aluminum
Three representative CNC Press Brake Forming 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.
Hemmed panel edge
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- 400 mm hem, 1.2 mm
- Key callouts
- Hem flat to 0.3 mm
- Batch
- 1,500 pcs
Hemmed to remove the sharp edge without a secondary deburr operation.
U-channel
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- 800 mm long, 3 mm thick
- Key callouts
- Angle ±0.5°, straightness 1 mm over length
- Batch
- 250 pcs
Formed in two hits with a rotating die to avoid marking the outside face.
Sheet-metal enclosure
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- 300 × 200 × 120 mm
- Key callouts
- Bend angle ±0.5°, diagonal ±0.5 mm
- Batch
- 400 pcs
Bend sequence chosen so no flange collides with the tool on the last hit.
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 Press Brake Forming 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 Press Brake Forming
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 Press Brake Forming?
Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Press Brake Forming. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Aluminum forming part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Press Brake Forming on Aluminum?
Machined Aluminum 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 Press Brake Forming Aluminum?
Achievable tolerances for Aluminum forming 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.
Can VT machining make custom Aluminum parts to my drawing?
Yes. Aluminum Aluminum forming 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.