When it comes to metal machining, most think only of steel, stainless, and other ferrous alloys. However, it's also possible to machine copper and aluminum 〞 even brass
Typically, machining aluminum is done by milling or planer cutting. This requires a large machine capable of handling the size of the part being machined
The process begins with a rough cut using a lathe or drill press. The part is then milled using a milling machine with high-speed spindle speeds and feed rates that will keep the tool from overheating
Once the part has been ground down to the desired shape, it must be cleaned up by hand or with an automatic cleaning apparatus before it can be finished in an automated manner
Brass is a popular choice for machining because it's softer than copper and therefore more malleable when machined. However, as with any metal material, care must be taken when cutting brass because it can easily become brittle if allowed to heat up too much during machining operations.
cnc turning copper part