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CNC machining Complete Engineering Guide Part 3

Learn about how the many different kinds of CNC machines work, the materials available, the benefits & limitations, basic design rules and the most common applications.
Short on time? Download for free the PDF version of the GreatLight's Engineering Guide to CNC machining. With this 40-page long e-book, learn everything you need to know about CNC machining, from the very basics to advanced design tips.
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CNC machining Complete Engineering Guide

Have questions?

Feel free to discuss CNC machining with us.

Part 3: Materials for CNC machining

CNC machining can be used with a very wide range of engineering metals & plastics.

In this section, you will learn more about the key characteristics of the most popular materials. We will also examine the most common finishes that are applied to CNC machined parts.

Part 1 The basics

Part 1: The basics

What is CNC? What types of machines are there? Which are their key benefits & limitations?

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Part 2 Design for CNC machining

Part 2: Design for CNC machining

In less than 15 minutes, you will learn how to design parts optimized for CNC machining.

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Part 3 Materials for CNC machining

Part 3: Materials for CNC machining

Learn more about the most popular materials & finishes used in CNC machining.

Begin part 3
Part 4 Cost reduction tips

Part 4: Cost reduction tips

Use these 3 design tips to cut the costs of your CNC machining project.

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Part 5 Start CNC machining

Part 5: Start CNC machining

Learn how to prepare, get a quote & source custom CNC machined parts in 3 simple steps.

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Part 6 Useful resources

Part 6: Useful resources

Useful resources A list of useful resources for those who want to delve deeper.

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Benefits & Limitations of CNC machining

Benefits & Limitations of CNC machining

Here’s a list of the key strengths and limitations of CNC machining.

Begin part 7
Applications of CNC machining 1

Applications of CNC machining

The benefits of CNC machining lie in a wide range of applications.

Begin part 8
SGS Certification

SGS Certification

ISO Standards

ISO Standards

Environmental Compliance

Environmental Compliance

Customer Satisfaction

Customer Satisfaction

Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement

1. Selecting the right material is a crucial step in the design process. The optimal material option is highly dependent on your specific use case and requirements.

2. Since almost every material with sufficient hardness can be machined, CNC offers a very large range of material options to choose from. For engineering applications, metals and plastics are most relevant and will be the focus of this section.

3. Surface finishes can also alter the properties of CNC machined parts and we will examine them below.

4. To get started, take a look at this decision tree. It contains high-level material recommendations that cover the most common design requirements.

Material choices

CNC Machining Materials

Great Light offers a wide variety of materials for custom CNC machining, plastic, and metal, including but not limited to:

CNC Metals

CNC Plastics

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CNC Milling Surface Finishes

Achieve the perfect finish with our range of surface treatments.
Whether you require anodizing, plating, or painting, we ensure your parts meet both aesthetic and functional specifications.

As Machined

As Machined

This finishing option with the shortest turnaround time. Parts have visible tool marks and potentially sharp edges and burrs, which can be removed upon request.

Anodizing

Anodizing

Anodizing increases corrosion resistance and wear properties, while allowing for color dyeing, ideal for aluminum parts.

Polishing

Polishing

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing it or by applying a chemical treatmen

Sand Blasting

Sand Blasting

Sand blasting uses pressurized sand or other media to clean and texture the surface, creating a uniform, matte finish.

Electroplating

Electroplating

Electroplating bonds a thin metal layer onto parts, improving wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and surface conductivity.

Brushed Finish

Brushed Finish

A brushed finish creates a unidirectional satin texture, reducing the visibility of marks and scratches on the surface.

Powder Coating

Powder Coating

This is a finish of applying powdered paint to the components and then baking it in an oven, which results in a stronger, more wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than traditional painting methods.

Black Oxide

Black Oxide

Black oxide is a conversion coating that is used on steels to improve corrosion resistance and minimize light reflection.
Begin Read Part 4

Have questions?

Feel free to discuss CNC machining with us.

Begin Read Part 4: Cost reduction tips

Learn more about what affects the costs in CNC machining. Use these three actionable design tips to cut the price in half and you keep your project on budget.

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ISO 9001 is defined as the internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It is by far the most mature quality framework in the world. More than 1 million certificates were issued to organizations in 178 countries. ISO 9001 sets standards not only for the quality management system, but also for the overall management system. It helps organizations achieve success by improving customer satisfaction, employee motivation, and continuous improvement. * The ISO certificate is issued in the name of FS.com LIMITED and applied to all the products sold on FS website.

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ISO 13485 is an internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS) specifically tailored for the medical device industry. It outlines the requirements for organizations involved in the design, development, production, installation, and servicing of medical devices, ensuring they consistently meet regulatory requirements and customer needs. Essentially, it's a framework for medical device companies to build and maintain robust QMS processes, ultimately enhancing patient safety and device quality.

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