CNC Turning Beryllium Copper

VT machining provides CNC Turning Beryllium Copper for customers who need accurate, repeatable Beryllium Copper components. Because Beryllium Copper is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.

CNC Turning Beryllium Copper at VT machining
CNC Turning Beryllium Copper — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Turning Capability for Beryllium Copper

  • Diameter tolerance to ±0.005 mm
  • Concentricity within 0.01 mm
  • OD/ID, threading, grooving
  • Bar and chuck work

Beryllium Copper Material Data

Beryllium Copper — typical properties, quoted for C17200 (TH04/AT)
Density8.25 g/cm³
Tensile strength1140–1380 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)1000–1200 MPa
Hardness36–42 HRC
Melting point866–980 °C
Thermal conductivity105–130 W/m·K
Thermal expansion17.8 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity22%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)20–35%
Grades we runC17200, C17300, C17510 (high conductivity), C17410

Published typical values for C17200 (TH04/AT). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Beryllium Copper — what actually causes trouble

Machined in the solution-annealed state and age-hardened afterwards, which shrinks the part by roughly 0.1–0.2%. That shrink is compensated in the program.

How CNC Turning Beryllium Copper Works

The Beryllium Copper 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.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Turning Beryllium Copper

CNC Turning Beryllium Copper — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Outside diameter±0.05 mm±0.005 mm
Bore diameterH9H6
Length / shoulder position±0.10 mm±0.020 mm
Concentricity OD to ID0.05 mm TIR0.010 mm TIR
Roundness0.02 mm0.005 mm
Thread class6g / 2A4h / 3A
Surface finish, as turnedRa 1.6 µmRa 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.

Design Tips for CNC Turning Beryllium Copper

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help Beryllium Copper 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

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Beryllium Copper part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Working with Beryllium Copper

As a material, Beryllium Copper is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Beryllium Copper parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

CNC Turning Tolerances & Surface Finish

Turned Beryllium Copper 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.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Applications of CNC Turning Beryllium Copper

Customers order CNC Turning Beryllium Copper components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Turning Beryllium Copper

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Beryllium Copper

Three representative CNC Turning Beryllium 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.

Bearing spacer

Material
Beryllium Copper
Size
Ø35 / Ø22 × 9 mm
Key callouts
Thickness ±0.005 mm, parallelism 0.005 mm
Batch
4,000 pcs

Turned then double-disc ground — thickness this tight is not a lathe job.

Nozzle body

Material
Beryllium Copper
Size
Ø12 × 46 mm
Key callouts
Ø0.6 mm orifice ±0.01 mm, internal taper 20°
Batch
600 pcs

Orifice EDM-drilled after turning; a drill wanders at that diameter.

Threaded fitting

Material
Beryllium Copper
Size
Ø22 hex × 38 mm
Key callouts
G3/8" thread class 4h, bore H8, sealing face Ra 0.8 µm
Batch
2,500 pcs

Run on a sub-spindle lathe so the back face is finished without a second setup.

Finishing Options for Beryllium Copper

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
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 Turning Beryllium 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 Beryllium 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 Turning

Other Processes for Beryllium Copper

Send the drawing, the Beryllium Copper 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

Why is Beryllium Copper a good choice for CNC Turning?

Beryllium Copper is high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life, which makes it well suited to CNC Turning. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Beryllium Copper turning part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Turning Beryllium Copper?

CNC Turning prototypes for Beryllium Copper can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.

Does CNC Turning Beryllium Copper require dedicated tooling?

Most Beryllium Copper turning work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.

What surface finish is achievable on Beryllium Copper with CNC Turning?

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

What is CNC Turning Beryllium Copper and how is it done?

CNC Turning Beryllium Copper refers to cNC turning rotates the workpiece against a single-point tool to produce cylindrical features, threads and grooves. Applied to Beryllium Copper — high strength with good conductivity and fatigue life — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.