CNC Machining
A few benefits of CNC Machining or milling rapid prototypes: many choices of real production materials, along with good accuracy and durability.
We deliver the benefits of CNC machining at a very competitive price point with lead times of typically 5 to 7 calendar days or less. ABS parts and aluminum parts are the most popular and cost effective solutions for prototyping.
Most CNC machining or prototypes only requires 3 axis milling or turning. In some instances, where the part size is large, stock sizes are insufficient or complexity prohibit accessibility, it is necessary to combine machining with fabrication. In these instances, parts are assembled and dressed so no apparent indication of fabrication is visible.
Minimum CNC Feature Size
This is a function of geometry as it is also related to cutter reach and feature location. Preferably the smallest cutters used would be 1 mm, leaving a 0.5mm internal radius. However 0.2 mm cutters can be used if required.
Bed Sizes
Bed sizes up to 74″x 35″ x 27″ are readily available with access to larger machines as required.
Finish
The parts may be supplied in a natural state, it is more common to supply parts dressed and primed ready for a final painted topcoat, or fully finished with texture/gloss finish.
Available Threads, Inserts, Helicoils
Materials
| The following list includes typical properties but not guarenteed material properties due to subtle supplier variances. We can custom order materials not listed below also. If your desired material is not listed please email us at quote@rapidcut.com with questions. | |||||
| CNC Materials – Metals | Material Cost | Max Thickness | Remarks | ||
| Aluminum – Gray (Aluminum 2024-T3/T4) | Soft metal | High | 150 mm | The cost depends on the thickness | |
| Aluminum – Gray (Aluminum 5052) | Soft metal | Low | 50 mm | ||
| Aluminum – Gray (Aluminum 6061-T651) | Soft metal | Low | 300 mm | ||
| Aluminum – Gray (Aluminum 7075-T651) | Soft metal | High | 300 mm | ||
| Brass – Yellow (Brass 360) | Soft metal | High | 100 mm | ||
| Bronze – Gray (Lithium bronze) | Soft metal | High | 20 mm | From 20 to 100, we need to custom the material. | |
| Bronze – Gray (beryllium bronze) | Soft metal | Very High | 120 mm | ||
| Copper – Red (Copper C101) | Soft metal | Very High | 100 mm | Over 100 mm, we need to custom the material | |
| Magnesium – Gray (Magnesium AZ31) | Soft metal | Very High | 200 mm | ||
| Titanium-TI6AL4 | Hard metal | Very High | 15 mm | Over 15 mm, we need to custom the material | |
| Stainless Steel – Gray (Stainless Steel 201) | Hard metal | Low | 65 mm | ||
| Stainless Steel – Gray (Stainless Steel 303/303S) | Hard metal | Low | 65 mm | Only Rod Material | |
| Stainless Steel – Gray (Stainless Steel 304/304L) | Hard metal | Very High | 65 mm | ||
| Stainless Steel – Gray (Stainless Steel 316/316L) | Hard metal | Very High | 65 mm | ||
| Stainless Steel – Gray (Stainless Steel 17-4PH) | Hard metal | Very High | 100 mm | We can customize the material. The max of the custom material can be reached to 300 to 400 mm. | |
| Steel Alloy – Gray (Steel Alloy 1018) | Hard metal | Low | 100 mm | ||
| Steel Alloy – Gray (Steel Alloy 4043) | Hard metal | Low | 100 mm | ||
| Steel Alloy – Gray (Steel Alloy 4130) | Hard metal | Low | 100 mm | ||
| Steel Alloy – Gray (Steel Alloy 4140) | Hard metal | Low | 100 mm | ||
| Steel Alloy – Gray (Steel Alloy 8620) | Hard metal | Low | 100 mm | ||
| Tool Steel-Gray(A2 Tool Steel) | Hard metal | High | 100 mm | ||
| Tool Steel-Gray(D2 Tool Steel) | Hard metal | High | 100 mm | ||
| CNC Materials – Plastics | Material Cost | Max Thickness | |
| ABS – Black (ABS) | Plastic | Low | 100 mm |
| ABS – Natural (ABS) | Plastic | Low | 200 mm |
| PC+ABS – Black | Plastic | High | 100 mm |
| ABS-Flame Retardant – Black (ABS-FR) | Plastic | High | 100 mm |
| Acetal 20% Glass Filled – Natural (Delrin 570) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| Acetal Copolymer – White (Acetal Copolymer) | Plastic | Medium | 180 mm |
| Acetal Homopolymer – Black (Delrin 150) | Plastic | Medium | 180 mm |
| Acetal Homopolymer – Natural (White) (Delrin 150) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| Acetal Static Dissipative – Tan (Tecaform SD) | Plastic | Very High | 50 mm |
| CPVC – Gray (CPVC) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| HDPE – Natural (White) (High Density Polyethylene) | Plastic | Medium | 200 mm |
| LDPE – Natural (Low Density Polyethylene) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| Nylon 6 – Black (Nylon 6) | Plastic | Medium | 150 mm |
| Nylon 6 – Light Blue (Nylon 6 ) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| Nylon 6/6 – Black (Nylon 6/6) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| Nylon 6/6 – Natural (Nylon 6/6) | Plastic | Medium | 200 mm |
| Nylon 6/6 15%GF – Natural (Nylon 6/6 15%GF) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| Nylon 6/6 30%GF – Natural (Nylon 6/6 30%GF) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PC – Black (Polycarbonate) | Plastic | High | 100 mm |
| PC – Clear (Polycarbonate) | Plastic | Medium | 100 mm |
| PC 20% GF – Black (Polycarbonate 20% GF) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PEEK – Natural (PEEK) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PEI – Natural (Ultem 1000) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PEI – Black (Ultem 1000) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PEI 30% GF – Natural (Ultem 30% GF 2300) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PET – Natural (White) (Polyethylene Terephthalate) | Plastic | High | 100 mm |
| PMMA – Clear (Acrylic) | Plastic | Medium | 200 mm |
| PP Homopolymer – Black (Polypropylene Homopoly) | Plastic | Low | 100 mm |
| PP Homopolymer – Natural (Polypropylene Homopoly) | Plastic | Low | 150 mm |
| PP Copolymer – Natural (Polypropylene Copoly) | Plastic | Low | 200 mm |
| PPE + PS – Black (Noryl 265) | Plastic | High | 50 mm |
| PPSU – Black (Radel R 5500) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PS (HIPS) – White (Polystyrene) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PSU – Natural (Polysulfone) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PTFE – White (Teflon) | Plastic | Very High | 100 mm |
| PVC – Gray (PVC) | Plastic | Low | 100 mm |
| UHMW – Natural (UHMW) | Plastic | Medium | 200 mm |