CNC Saw Cutting Brass is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled forming with material-aware setup for Brass — an alloy that is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
CNC Saw Cutting Capability for Brass
- Length tolerance ±0.2 mm
- Bar, tube & plate
- Bundle cutting
- Square-cut faces
Brass Material Data
| Density | 8.50 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 340–470 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125–310 MPa |
| Hardness | 78–130 HB |
| Melting point | 885–900 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 115 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 26% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 100% (the benchmark) |
| Grades we run | C36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval |
Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.
How CNC Saw Cutting Brass Works
The Brass 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 Saw Cutting Brass
| 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.
CNC Saw Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish
Formed Brass 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.
Working with Brass
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Brass 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.
CNC Saw Cutting 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.
Design Tips for CNC Saw Cutting Brass
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 Brass. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Saw Cutting Brass
Brass 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 Saw Cutting Brass
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Brass 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 Brass
Three representative CNC Saw Cutting Brass 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.
U-channel
- Material
- Brass
- 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.
Hemmed panel edge
- Material
- Brass
- 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.
Radiused cover
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- R150 × 500 mm
- Key callouts
- Radius ±1 mm, no tool marks
- Batch
- 200 pcs
Bumped in 14 small steps rather than rolled, because the batch does not justify a roll set.
Finishing Options for Brass
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel plate | 5–15 µm | Hard, bright, corrosion resistant |
| Chrome plate | 0.3–1 µm | Decorative, over nickel |
| Clear lacquer | 10–20 µm | Stops the natural tarnish |
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable contacts |
| 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 Saw Cutting Brass
- 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 Brass 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 Saw Cutting
Other Processes for Brass
Send the drawing, the Brass 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 Saw Cutting Brass require dedicated tooling?
Most Brass forming work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
Why is Brass a good choice for CNC Saw Cutting?
Brass is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish, which makes it well suited to CNC Saw Cutting. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Brass forming part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Saw Cutting?
Surface finish on Brass is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Saw Cutting on Brass?
Machined Brass edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.