Aluminum milling and cutting is a primary application of CNC routers. If you are engaged in aluminum working business and want to buy a CNC machine to improve efficiency, this blog will be beneficial for you. It will tell you the top 5 popular aluminum cnc machines among users; helping you choose the one that best suits your needs to accelerate your business growth.
You may ask: Isn't the CNC router used for woodworking? Can it also handle aluminum cnc machining tasks? The answer is yes. While the basic cnc router is typically designed for woodworking applications, it can be upgraded to handle aluminum processing. By replacing the woodworking spindle with a metal cutting spindle, the CNC router can efficiently mill and cut various types of aluminum, including but not limited to 3003, 5052, 6061, and 7075, as well as forged and cast aluminum alloys.
Aluminum is a soft metal, so when using CNC routers to work it, specialized cutters designed for aluminum are essential. Woodworking router bits are not suitable for this task, even if they are installed on a CNC router for aluminum. CNC machine tools can mill exquisite text and patterns on aluminum, and can also cut parts of different shapes out of aluminum plates.
Let's take a closer look at the 5 Best CNC Routers for Aluminum Milling and Cutting.
The CNC router utilizes a computer numerical control system to run G-code instructions to drive the X, Y, and Z axes to move, so that the router bit cuts/mills along the tool path created by the CAD/CAM software, removing the useless parts from the material and leaving text or patterns there. It can perform milling, cutting, and 3D routing on soft metals (aluminum, copper, brass), wood, plastic, acrylic, glass, and foam.
So, how do users in the aluminum processing industry choose the best cnc router for them? The sure thing is that we should select the machine in a targeted manner based on the material characteristics of aluminum. Aluminum is characterized by its softness, good thermal conductivity, and ease of heat generation. However, these characteristics may bring certain challenges to machining and production. Thus, the machine that can tackle these challenges and ensure a smooth finished surface is the production assistant we need.
Before you pull the trigger, here are a few gentle reminders for you.
• Aluminum tends to generate a lot of heat during cutting or milling, which can cause the cutting chips to stick to the cutter blade. This can lead to bad cuts and poor accuracy. To address this issue, oil mist lubrication is the best solution. As a result, an oil mist lubrication pump is an essential configuration option for aluminum cnc routers.
• The equipped electric spindle should be specifically designed for metal working purposes.
• The machine must be selected for high positioning accuracy. A machine equipped with a closed-loop control motion system is the best choice.
• The best cnc router for aluminum may require a substantial initial investment, but in the long run, it offers the lowest production costs and the highest efficiency. This ultimately reduces your overall production and operating expenses, leading to increased profits.
Depending on the working size and the specific configuration, the price of cnc machine for aluminum can range from $2,500 to $22,000. If you are only processing small aluminum parts, then a small-sized machine is adequate, and the cost of such a machine typically ranges from $2,500 to $3,500. If the workpiece being processed is larger and you desire a higher level of automation, you can select a machine equipped with an automatic tool changer. The price of such a machine is generally between $13,000 and $22,000.
Let's take a look at the 5 best cnc routers for aluminum working.
Price range: $1900 ~ $2500
CNC 6090 Router for Aluminum and Stone Price range: $2700 ~ $4000
Best CNC Router for Aluminum Price range: $5800 ~ $17500
CNC Router with ATC Price range: $12800 ~ $22500
Price range: $18000 ~ $22500
A: A CNC router machine that meets certain conditions can be used to cut or mill aluminum. The conditions mentioned here mainly refer to the configuration. That is, it should be equipped with a special spindle for metal cutting and an oil mist lubrication system to ensure effective tool lubrication and prevent cutting chips from adhering to the blade. On this basis, using cnc bits for aluminum and appropriate machining parameters, the machine can produce exquisite aluminum parts for you.
A: Router bits designed for aluminum are typically made of carbide and feature a three-flute design. The spiral flute is fabricated using a full mirror grinding process, which provides effective chip removal. This tool features high wear resistance and strength, designed as a specialized aluminum mill cutter for high-hardness and high-speed cutting.
Step 01. Inquiry
Upon receiving the user's inquiry, we will learn the specific details of their production needs and the project to be processed and then recommend the machine model that meets their request the best.
Step 02. Sent Offer
After finalizing the recommended model, we will make an official quotation for the user. This quotation is a detailed proposal that includes the price and lists all specifications and parameters for each configuration.
Step 03. Negotiation.
The buyer and seller will negotiate transaction details, including price, payment terms, delivery times, after-sales warranty terms, and more.
Step 04. Order Placement
Once the buyer and seller reach an agreement, and the buyer is ready to move forward, we will send the proforma invoice to the buyer and sign the sales contract.
Step 05. Production
After receiving the down payment, we will immediately put the order into production; and keep the buyer updated on the production progress at the appropriate time.
Step 06. Quality Control.
Each stage of the production process will be subject to strict quality control. If the quality control of a previous stage does not meet the required standards, the order will not move on to the next stage. Additionally, the machine will undergo a series of tests after assembly and before leaving the factory to ensure that it functions properly and stably.
Step 07. Shipping Arrangement
We make relevant arrangements for transportation in accordance with the transportation terms agreed in advance.
Step 08. Paper Works
We will provide the buyer with a complete set of shipping and customs clearance documents to ensure import customs clearance goes smoothly.
Step 09. After-Sales Service.
After the buyer receives the machine, we will provide online after-sales support and services when the buyer needs it. This work can be carried out through telephone, email, online chat, video call, etc.
Step 01. Prepare design drawings based on production needs, import them into CAM software, set the processing strategy, generate the tool path, and save the path file to the computer.
Step 02. Import the saved tool path file into the operating system of the CNC router.
Step 03. Place the aluminum material in a suitable position on the machine table. Move the machine's XYZ axes to the starting position for processing, and set xyz=0.
Step 04. Set the processing parameters, including spindle RPM, motion axis feed speed, and z-axis cutting speed. Then, run the toolpath file.
Step 05. The CNC machine will start automatic processing.
Step 06. Once the machining is completed, the machine's XYZ axes will automatically return to their working origin.
A: This depends on the specific requirements of the buyer. From a functional viewpoint, a metal laser cutter can only cut aluminum. In addition to cutting, a CNC router can also perform milling and 3D shaping. Therefore, it offers more possibilities to users. If you only require cutting, a laser cutting machine is a great option because it produces smooth cuts and minimizes waste. However, if you have both cutting and milling needs, it's best to choose a CNC router.
In the field of CNC milling aluminum, the correct and reasonable use of CNC machine will bring you high output and provide you with high-precision aluminum cnc machining parts. Maintaining the machine properly can help prolong its lifespan.
Here are some tips we have summarized for your reference.
• Best cnc router aluminum feeds and speeds
• Aluminum working router bits best meet the production needs
• When machining aluminum, it is important to use a coolant or lubricant to ensure optimal performance and prevent chips adhere to the blade.
• The sequence of milling significantly affects the quality of the final product, so a properly optimized tool path is very helpful.
• Keeping the workpiece firmly on the table is the most basic requirement to ensure machining accuracy. Therefore, the clamping method should be reasonable and firm enough.
• Paying more attention to blade wear and replacing tools in time is another important factor in ensuring machining efficiency and accuracy.
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