VT machining provides CNC Punching Copper for customers who need accurate, repeatable Copper components. Because Copper is excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
CNC Punching Capability for Copper
- Sheet thickness 0.5–6 mm
- Hole position repeatability ±0.10 mm
- Punch/die clearance set per material
- Louver, emboss and tap-extrude tooling
Copper Material Data
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 220–350 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 70–330 MPa |
| Hardness | 40–100 HV |
| Melting point | 1083 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 391 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 17.0 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 101% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 20% |
| Grades we run | C10100 OFE, C10200 OF, C11000 ETP, C14500 tellurium copper |
Published typical values for C11000 ETP. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
It smears rather than cuts. Razor-sharp uncoated tooling and high rake; if the print allows it, C14500 tellurium copper machines four times better at ~90% IACS.
How CNC Punching Copper Works
A CNC turret presses hardened punches through the Copper sheet into matching dies. Punch-to-die clearance is set as a percentage of thickness so the cut edge stays clean and burr is minimal.
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 Punching Copper
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Hole position across sheet | ±0.15 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Overall blank size | ±0.20 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Minimum hole | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Hole-to-edge distance | 2.0 × thickness | 1.5 × thickness |
| Burr height | 0.08 mm | 0.03 mm (deburred) |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5–6.0 mm | 0.5–3.0 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 Punching Copper
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Keeping hole-to-edge and hole-to-hole distances at least 1.5–2× thickness avoids distortion and tearing in punched Copper. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Punching 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Copper 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 Copper
Copper is excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. 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 Punching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Punched Copper holds hole-position repeatability around ±0.10 mm across the sheet, with consistent hole quality when punch/die clearance is matched to the gauge.
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 Punching Copper
Copper 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 Punching Copper
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Copper 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 Copper
Three representative CNC Punching Copper 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.
Shim washer
- Material
- Copper
- Size
- Ø20 / Ø10 × 0.5 mm
- Key callouts
- ID/OD ±0.05 mm, burr < 0.03 mm
- Batch
- 25,000 pcs
Clearance set at 6% of thickness per side to keep the burr under spec without deburring.
Louvred cover
- Material
- Copper
- Size
- 350 × 200 × 1.2 mm
- Key callouts
- Louvre height 4 ±0.3 mm
- Batch
- 2,000 pcs
Louvre tooling forms and cuts in one hit; the direction is set by the airflow spec.
Cable tray section
- Material
- Copper
- Size
- 1,000 × 150 × 1.5 mm
- Key callouts
- Slot pattern ±0.15 mm
- Batch
- 600 pcs
Nested two-up along the sheet; scrap drops below 12%.
Finishing Options for Copper
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable, prevents oxidation |
| Silver plate | 2–10 µm | Lowest contact resistance for RF and power |
| Nickel underplate | 2–5 µm | Diffusion barrier under tin or gold |
| Gold flash | 0.05–1 µm | Contact surfaces, over nickel |
| 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 Punching 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 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 Punching
Other Processes for Copper
Send the drawing, the 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
Does CNC Punching Copper require dedicated tooling?
Punching uses programmable turret tooling; standard tools cover most patterns, with special tools added for unique forms.
What is CNC Punching Copper and how is it done?
CNC Punching Copper refers to cNC turret punching shears holes and form features in sheet metal using programmable tooling for fast, repeatable patterns. Applied to Copper — excellent electrical and thermal conductivity — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Punching Copper?
Punching suits Copper sheet roughly 0.5–6 mm thick, with clearance matched to the gauge.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Punching Copper?
Achievable tolerances for Copper punching depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Punching holds hole-position repeatability to around ±0.10 mm. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.