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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 low-carbon steel with excellent machinability and weldability.
A medium-carbon steel with excellent strength and weldability.
A low-carbon steel known for strength and weldability.
Clarwe provides a wide range ofsurface finishes through its mild steel CNC 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 mild steel parts.
Mild steel, also known as low-carbon steel, is a type of steel that contains a small percentage of carbon, typically between 0.05% and 0.25%. This low carbon content gives mild steel several desirable mechanical properties, making it widely used in various industries. Mild steel is known for its excellent weldability, machinability, and formability, allowing it to be easily shaped into different forms and welded without cracking. Its relatively low tensile strength, typically ranging between 400 MPa and 500 MPa, makes it less prone to brittleness, but it can still be further strengthened through processes like cold working or heat treatment.
In terms of hardness, mild steel is relatively soft compared to higher carbon steels, which contributes to its ease of fabrication. It exhibits good ductility, meaning it can undergo significant plastic deformation without fracturing, which is ideal for processes like stamping or forging. The material also has a moderate yield strength, typically around 250 MPa, meaning it can withstand a certain amount of stress before it starts to permanently deform. Its impact resistance is fair, but it can be improved with alloying elements or through heat treatment. Mild steel’s corrosion resistance is moderate, and it is often coated or painted to prevent rusting.
CNC machining of mild steel involves various processes such as milling, turning, drilling, and grinding, each utilizing the material's favorable properties.CNC Milling is commonly used for shaping mild steel into complex forms with rotating cutters, typically using carbide or high-speed steel tools due to its machinability.CNC Turning is employed to create cylindrical parts by rotating the workpiece and applying stationary cutting tools, ideal for shafts and pipes. CNC Drilling is used to create precise round holes, requiring appropriate feed rates to avoid excessive tool wear. CNC Grinding is a finishing process used to achieve smooth surfaces and tight tolerances, typically for gears or precision parts. Each of these processes requires careful control of cutting speeds, tool selection, and cooling to maintain precision and prevent tool wear.
In addition to these processes, CNC Tapping is used for creating internal threads in mild steel components, while CNC Laser Cutting is ideal for making precise and clean cuts in thin sheets of mild steel, especially for intricate designs. CNC Plasma Cutting, on the other hand, is typically used for cutting thicker sections of mild steel quickly, although it lacks the precision of laser cutting. Each CNC process offers distinct advantages depending on the complexity and thickness of the material, and selecting the right method ensures optimal results. These CNC machining methods provide high precision, repeatability, and the ability to produce complex geometries with consistent quality, making them essential for a wide range of industrial applications involving mild steel.
Post-processing of mild steel parts is essential to enhance their properties, appearance, and performance, ensuring they meet the required standards for various applications.Powder Coating is a popular post-processing option that provides a durable, protective layer on the surface, improving corrosion resistance while offering a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish. This coating method also helps to improve the wear resistance of mild steel parts, making them more suitable for outdoor or harsh environments. Galvanizing is another post-processing technique where a zinc coating is applied to the surface of the steel, providing excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in outdoor or marine applications. Painting is also widely used to protect mild steel from rust and other environmental factors, while offering flexibility in terms of color and finish.
For parts requiring high precision orsmooth finishes, Polishing and Grinding are commonly used post-processing techniques.Polishing improves the surface finish, providing a smooth and shiny appearance, often used in decorative or high-visibility applications. Grinding can achieve precise dimensions and smooth surfaces, while also removing any burrs or imperfections left from machining. Heat Treatment, including processes such as annealing or quenching, can be applied to mild steel to enhance its hardness, strength, and overall mechanical properties, making it more suitable for high-stress applications. Deburring is a necessary process to remove sharp edges or unwanted projections, ensuring the safety and proper fit of parts. These post-processing methods ensure that mild steel components meet the desired quality and performance standards for industries like automotive, construction, and manufacturing.
Corrosion Resistance: Improves resistance to rust and environmental damage, extending the lifespan of parts.
Aesthetic Appeal: Provides a smooth, attractive finish with a variety of color options for a polished appearance.
Durability: Coatings like zinc or powder provide a tough, durable surface, enhancing wear resistance and longevity.
Precision and Surface Finish: Achieves smooth, high-quality finishes, ideal for parts requiring high precision or aesthetics.
Enhanced Strength: Processes like annealing and quenching increase the hardness and strength of mild steel for high-stress applications.
Safety: Removes sharp edges and burrs, ensuring safer handling and improved part fitment.
Cost-Effective: Post-processing techniques like painting and galvanizing offer cost-efficient solutions for protecting and enhancing mild steel components.
Flexibility: Various post-processing options are available to meet specific functional and aesthetic requirements, making mild steel adaptable to multiple industries.
Improved Wear Resistance: Coatings and heat treatments improve the wear resistance, making the parts more suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Enhanced Machinability: Post-processing can reduce residual stresses, improving the machinability of mild steel during subsequent manufacturing steps.
Automotive Industry: Used for manufacturing body parts, frames, and engine components due to its cost-effectiveness and weldability.
Construction: Mild steel is widely used in structural beams, reinforcements, and scaffolding because of its strength and durability.
Furniture Manufacturing: Ideal for producing frames, supports, and decorative elements due to its formability and ease of fabrication.
Machinery and Equipment: Commonly used for machine components like gears, shafts, and bearings due to its balance of strength and machinability.
Appliance Manufacturing: Used in household appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and washers because of its low cost and good durability.
Shipbuilding: Utilized for hulls and structural components where strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance are important.Shipbuilding: Utilized for hulls and structural components where strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance are important.
Piping Systems: Employed for water, gas, and oil pipelines due to its strength and ability to withstand internal pressures.
Agricultural Equipment: Used in making durable and cost-effective tools, tractors, and machinery for farming.
Electrical Appliances: Applied in the production of components like motors and electrical panels, benefiting from its good conductivity and ease of machining.
The grade of mild steel affects machining costs by influencing machinability, tool wear and processing speed. Higher-grade mild steels may require slower machining speeds and specialized tools, increasing costs. Lower-grade mild steels are easier to machine, reducing tool wear and cycle times, which lowers costs. The choice of grade should balance performance requirements with cost efficiency.
Mild steel offers excellent machinability, making it easy to cut, shape and form during CNC machining. It is cost-effective, reducing overall production costs for high-volume runs. The material is also highly versatile, suitable for a wide range of applications. Additionally, its good weldability makes it ideal for projects requiring assembly after machining.
Mild steel is a preferred in CNC machining for large-volume production because of its low cost and excellent machinability. It enables faster production cycles while minimizing tool wear, which is crucial for high-volume runs. The material's good weldability makes it easy to assemble parts, adding to its versatility. Its balanced strength and ductility make it suitable for various applications across different industries.