Customers
Served
Parts
Manufactured
Countries
Shipped
Manufacturing
Partners
CNC machining produces parts with excellent mechanical properties, accuracy and repeatability from metal and plastic.3-axis & 5-axis CNC milling available.
Excellent mechanical properties,High accuracy & repeatabillity
Greater geometry restrictions than 3D printing
| Price | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Lead Time | < 10 days |
| Wall Thickness | 0.75 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.125mm (±0.005″) |
| Max Part Size | 200 x 80 x 100 cm |
A highly machinable alloy with excellent tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
Clarwe provides a wide range ofsurface finishes through its brassCNC machining service, designed to elevate the quality of each machined component. Each finish is specifically chosen to improve both the mechanical characteristics and the visual appeal of the brass parts.
Brass is an alloy made primarily ofcopper and zinc, with the zinc content typically ranging from 5% to 45%, depending on the desired properties and intended use. The addition of zinc enhances brass's strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance, making it more versatile than pure copper. Brass has a distinct golden-yellow color, which gives it an attractive appearance, making it highly sought after for decorative purposes. The alloy's excellent machinability makes it ideal for manufacturing intricate components and products with fine details.
Brass is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in environments with moisture, making it suitable for use in marine, plumbing, and electrical applications. It also has low friction properties, making it ideal for parts like gears, bearings, and locks. The alloy is widely used in musical instruments such as trumpets and saxophones due to its outstanding acoustic properties. Brass's ability to withstand high temperatures, along with its good thermal and electrical conductivity, makes it valuable for electrical systems, heat exchangers, and otherindustrial applications.
CNC machining of brass is highly efficient due to the material's excellent machinability and ability to produce detailed, high-precision components.CNC Milling is commonly used for shaping brass, with cutting speeds and feeds adjusted to avoid tool wear and achieve smooth finishes. The relatively soft nature of brass allows for precise milling, making it ideal for creating intricate parts such as gears, fittings, and decorative items.CNC Turning is often used for cylindrical parts like shafts, bushings, and valves, with carbide or high-speed steel cutting tools providing the necessary durability for machining brass components. The low friction and good thermal conductivity of brass allow for smooth turning operations and minimal heat buildup.
CNC Drilling is frequently employed to create holes in brass components, with carbide drills ensuring a clean cut and good dimensional accuracy. Brass's excellent machinability also makes it suitable for CNC Tapping, allowing the creation of internal threads with high precision. CNC Grinding is often used to refine the surface finish of brass parts, ensuring tight tolerances and a smooth texture for applications where aesthetics or fit are critical. Additionally,CNC Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) can be used for more intricate shapes or complex geometries, particularly in cases where the brass part needs to have very fine details. These machining processes allow for the production of high-quality, precise brass components used across a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
Post-processing of brass parts is important to enhance their durability, appearance, and functionality.Polishing and buffing are commonly used to achieve a smooth, shiny surface finish, which is especially desirable for decorative items such as jewelry and architectural elements. These processes remove surface imperfections, improving the aesthetic quality of brass parts.Electroplating is also frequently used to apply a thin layer of materials like gold, nickel, or chrome, which provides enhanced corrosion resistance and a more refined appearance.Additionally, lacquer coating or clear varnish is often applied to protect brass from tarnishing
and oxidation, preserving its shine over time. Heat treatment is sometimes used to relieve internal stresses and enhance the hardness and strength of brass. Anodizing can also be used, though less common for brass, to improve corrosion resistance and provide aesthetic finishes. Deburring is a necessary post-processing step to remove sharp edges and burrs left after machining, ensuring safer handling and better fitment. These post-processing techniques are essential for maximizing the performance, longevity, and visual appeal of brass components in various industries.
Corrosion Resistance: Brass has excellent resistance to corrosion, particularly in moisture-rich environments, making it ideal for marine and plumbing applications.
Machinability: Brass is easy to machine, allowing for intricate designs and detailed components, making it ideal for manufacturing precision parts.
Aesthetic Appeal: Brass has a distinct golden appearance, making it a popular choice for decorative items, jewelry, and architectural features.
Durability: Brass is durable and wear-resistant, offering a long service life even in harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and heavy wear.
Good Thermal and Electrical Conductivity: Brass conducts heat and electricity well, making it suitable for electrical and thermal applications, like connectors and heat exchangers.
Low Friction: Brass's low friction properties make it ideal for applications like gears, bushings, and bearings, reducing wear and improving performance.
Formability: Brass is easy to cast and form, allowing it to be used in a wide range of manufacturing processes for different part geometries.
Non-Sparking: Brass is a non-sparking material, which is important in environments with flammable materials or gases, ensuring safety in hazardous applications.
Strength and Toughness: Brass combines strength and ductility, providing the necessary toughness for mechanical parts while remaining resistant to cracking.
Antimicrobial Properties: Brass has natural antimicrobial properties, making it suitable for applications in healthcare and food industries, where hygiene is crucial.
Marine Industry: Brass is used for marine fittings, boat propellers, and pumps due to its excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.
Plumbing: Brass is widely used in plumbing fittings, faucets, valves, and connectors because of its corrosion resistance and durability in water systems.
Electrical Components: Brass is used in electrical connectors, terminals, and switches because of its good electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
Automotive Industry: Brass is employed in parts such as radiators, bearings, and bushings due to its strength, machinability, and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Musical Instruments: Brass is the material of choice for instruments like trumpets, saxophones, and trombones due to its acoustic properties and ability to produce clear, bright tones.
Aerospace: Brass is used in components like fasteners, bushings, and gears for aerospace applications due to its strength and ability to withstand high-pressure environments.
Decorative Items: Brass is commonly used in jewelry, coins, and architectural features due to its attractive golden color and ease of polishing.
Heating and Cooling Systems: Brass is used in heat exchangers, radiators, and valves due to its high thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
Locking Mechanisms: Brass is often used in locks, keys, and other security components because of its strength, durability, and resistance to wear.
Food and Beverage Industry: Brass is used in equipment like taps, fittings, and pumps due to its antimicrobial properties and suitability for use in food contact applications.
CNC machining provides exceptional precision and tight tolerances, ensuring high-quality brass parts. It allows for the efficient production of complex designs and details with smooth finishes. The process is highly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. CNC machining also enables quick turnaround times, reducing production costs.
Brass parts cannot be anodized, as anodizing is specific to aluminum and certain other metals. However, brass can be coated with various finishes, such as electroplating, to improve corrosion resistance and appearance. Common coatings include nickel, chrome or gold plating, which also enhance durability. Coating brass parts after CNC machining is a popular method to extend their lifespan and functionality.
The choice of brass alloy significantly impacts machining costs and process efficiency. Alloys with higher machinability, like free-cutting brass, reduce tool wear and machining time, lowering costs. Harder alloys, such as naval brass, may require slower speeds, more specialized tooling, and increased time, raising costs. Choosing the right brass alloy optimizes production processes and minimizes overall expenses.