CNC Sinker EDM Brass

CNC Sinker EDM Brass from VT machining delivers precision Brass parts produced to your exact drawing. Sinker (die-sink) EDM burns a shaped electrode into metal to form precise cavities and blind features, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Brass, which is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish.

CNC Sinker EDM Brass at VT machining
CNC Sinker EDM Brass — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Sinker EDM Capability for Brass

  • Blind cavities & ribs
  • Fine surface (VDI grades)
  • Tolerance to ±0.005 mm
  • Hardened tool steel

Brass Material Data

Brass — typical properties, quoted for C36000
Density8.50 g/cm³
Tensile strength340–470 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)125–310 MPa
Hardness78–130 HB
Melting point885–900 °C
Thermal conductivity115 W/m·K
Thermal expansion20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity26%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)100% (the benchmark)
Grades we runC36000 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.

Machining Brass — what actually causes trouble

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 Sinker EDM Brass Works

Material is removed from the Brass workpiece by controlled electrical discharges across a dielectric gap, with no mechanical contact. Flushing, on/off pulse timing and electrode/wire feed are set to balance speed against surface finish.

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 Sinker EDM Brass

CNC Sinker EDM Brass — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Profile dimension±0.010 mm±0.002 mm
Internal corner radius0.15 mm0.05 mm
Taper control over 50 mm0.02 mm0.005 mm
Surface finish (skim passes)Ra 0.8 µmRa 0.2 µm
Recast layer10 µm2 µm (fine skim)
Start-hole diameter1.0 mm0.25 mm
Workpiece hardnessno limit (conductive)no limit (conductive)

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.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

We complete Brass 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.

CNC Sinker EDM Quality & Inspection

Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Brass 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 Sinker EDM Tolerances & Surface Finish

EDM holds tolerances to roughly ±0.002–0.005 mm with no cutting force on the Brass part, producing fine, controlled surface textures and sharp internal corners impossible to mill.

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.

Design Tips for CNC Sinker EDM Brass

A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. EDM suits sharp internal corners, thin ribs and hardened Brass that cannot be milled; allowing a small corner radius where possible speeds the cut. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Working with Brass

Brass offers a useful combination of properties: it is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Those characteristics shape how we approach EDM — 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.

Applications of CNC Sinker EDM Brass

CNC Sinker EDM of Brass 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 Sinker EDM Brass

Ordering Brass 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 Brass

Three representative CNC Sinker EDM 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.

Spline broach section

Material
Brass
Size
Ø28 × 40 mm
Key callouts
Involute profile ±0.005 mm, Ra 0.4 µm
Batch
60 pcs

Wire EDM after hardening to 62 HRC — the profile would not survive being cut soft and heat-treated.

Injection mould cavity rib

Material
Brass
Size
0.25 mm wide × 8 mm deep
Key callouts
Width ±0.005 mm, VDI 21 finish
Batch
45 pcs

Sinker EDM with a graphite electrode; a cutter that thin would break in the first pass.

Turbine blade fir-tree root

Material
Brass
Size
40 × 25 mm section
Key callouts
Profile ±0.008 mm
Batch
120 pcs

Held on a dedicated fixture so every blade in the set indexes identically.

Finishing Options for Brass

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Nickel plate5–15 µmHard, bright, corrosion resistant
Chrome plate0.3–1 µmDecorative, over nickel
Clear lacquer10–20 µmStops the natural tarnish
Tin plate3–15 µmSolderable contacts
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
Free — no sign-up

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.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Sinker EDM 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 Sinker EDM

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 Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What tolerances can you hold for CNC Sinker EDM Brass?

Achievable tolerances for Brass EDM machining depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. EDM holds tolerances to around ±0.002 mm with no cutting force on the part. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.

What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Sinker EDM?

Surface finish on Brass is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.

What material thickness or size range suits CNC Sinker EDM Brass?

We machine Brass across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Sinker EDM on Brass?

Machined Brass edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.

Which industries use CNC Sinker EDM Brass parts?

CNC Sinker EDM Brass parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Brass components are required.

Can VT machining make custom Brass parts to my drawing?

Yes. Brass Brass EDM machining 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.