VT machining provides CNC Turning 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 Turning Capability for Aluminum
- Diameter tolerance to ±0.005 mm
- Concentricity within 0.01 mm
- OD/ID, threading, grooving
- Bar and chuck work
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 Turning Aluminum Works
The Aluminum bar or billet rotates in the spindle while single-point tools shape outer diameters, bores, faces, grooves and threads. Constant surface speed control keeps cutting conditions stable from large to small diameters.
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 Turning Aluminum
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter | ±0.05 mm | ±0.005 mm |
| Bore diameter | H9 | H6 |
| Length / shoulder position | ±0.10 mm | ±0.020 mm |
| Concentricity OD to ID | 0.05 mm TIR | 0.010 mm TIR |
| Roundness | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Thread class | 6g / 2A | 4h / 3A |
| Surface finish, as turned | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm |
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 Turning Tolerances & Surface Finish
Turned Aluminum holds diameter tolerances to about ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm and good roundness. Turned finishes of Ra 0.4–0.8 µm are achievable with finishing passes and sharp tooling.
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 Turning Aluminum
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help Aluminum turned parts stay concentric and economical. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Turning 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.
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 turning — 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 Turning Aluminum
CNC Turning 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 Turning 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 Turning 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.
Precision shaft
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- Ø16 × 240 mm
- Key callouts
- OD h6, concentricity 0.01 mm TIR, keyway 5 H9
- Batch
- 1,000 pcs / year
Turned between centres so both journals share one datum.
Valve seat
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- Ø28 × 14 mm
- Key callouts
- Seat angle 45° ±0.1°, roundness 0.005 mm, Ra 0.2 µm
- Batch
- 800 pcs
Seat finished with a single-point diamond pass, no interruption.
Connector pin
- Material
- Aluminum
- Size
- Ø3.0 × 24 mm
- Key callouts
- OD ±0.005 mm, straightness 0.02 mm over length
- Batch
- 20,000 pcs
Swiss-turned from bar with a guide bushing; nothing else holds Ø3 mm over 24 mm.
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 Turning 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 Turning
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 Turning?
Aluminum is lightweight, excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, which makes it well suited to CNC Turning. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Aluminum turning part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
Can VT machining make custom Aluminum parts to my drawing?
Yes. Aluminum Aluminum turning 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.
Which industries use CNC Turning Aluminum parts?
CNC Turning Aluminum parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Aluminum components are required.
What surface finish is achievable on Aluminum with CNC Turning?
Surface finish on Aluminum is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Turning Aluminum?
Achievable tolerances for Aluminum turning depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Turning holds diameter tolerances to around ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Turning on Aluminum?
Machined Aluminum edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.