VT machining provides CNC Turning Titanium for customers who need accurate, repeatable Titanium components. Because Titanium is high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion resistant, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
CNC Turning Capability for Titanium
- Diameter tolerance to ±0.005 mm
- Concentricity within 0.01 mm
- OD/ID, threading, grooving
- Bar and chuck work
Titanium Material Data
| Density | 4.43 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 950 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 880 MPa |
| Hardness | 334 HB / 36 HRC |
| Melting point | 1604–1660 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 6.7 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 8.6 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 3.1% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 22% |
| Grades we run | Gr 1, Gr 2 (CP), Gr 5 Ti-6Al-4V, Gr 23 ELI, Gr 7, Gr 9 |
Published typical values for Ti-6Al-4V (Gr 5). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Heat has nowhere to go — thermal conductivity is 1/25th of aluminium, so it all goes into the tool. Low surface speed, heavy feed, flood coolant, and the cutter never stops moving.
How CNC Turning Titanium Works
The Titanium 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.
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 Turning Titanium
| 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 Titanium 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.
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.
Design Tips for CNC Turning Titanium
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help Titanium turned parts stay concentric and economical. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Titanium 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 Turning 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.
Working with Titanium
Titanium is high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion resistant. 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.
Applications of CNC Turning Titanium
Titanium 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 Turning Titanium
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Titanium 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 Titanium
Three representative CNC Turning Titanium 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.
Nozzle body
- Material
- Titanium
- 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.
Bearing spacer
- Material
- Titanium
- 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.
Precision shaft
- Material
- Titanium
- 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.
Finishing Options for Titanium
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Type II anodise | — | Colour coding, biocompatible |
| Type III anodise | — | Anti-galling for threaded and sliding parts |
| Passivation | — | ASTM F86 for implant-grade parts |
| Electropolish | 5–20 µm removed | Removes the machining layer for medical use |
| 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 Titanium
- 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 Titanium 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 Titanium
Send the drawing, the Titanium 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 Turning Titanium require dedicated tooling?
Most Titanium turning work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Turning Titanium?
Achievable tolerances for Titanium 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.
Can VT machining make custom Titanium parts to my drawing?
Yes. Titanium Titanium 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.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Turning Titanium?
CNC Turning prototypes for Titanium can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.