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As a designer, choosing the right material for your part can be confusing, especially when it comes to CNC machining for rapid prototyping and functional testing. Each material has unique mechanical properties that affect the prototype’s functionality and test results. Accurate test data is crucial for product development, as it determines the product’s time to market.
At RuiYi, we help you select the best material for your needs. We have worked with clients worldwide, producing many prototypes and gaining valuable experience. Our interactions with engineers and designers allow us to understand material applications and offer the best advice. For example, if you need a part with a movable hinge, we recommend CNC-machined PP (polypropylene). For 20 parts, we suggest vacuum casting with PP analog UP5690, a flexible plastic ideal for moving parts that can withstand many bends.
Common CNC Machining Materials
CNC milling and turning use various plastics and metals, each with unique advantages. Here are some common materials:
Aluminum 6061, 6082, and 7075: 6061 T6 aluminum is ideal for CNC machining and offers good anodic oxidation, coming in many colors, like gold, black, and blue. 7075 T6 is used in aerospace, robotics, and safety industries. Though harder than 6061, its anodized appearance is less appealing than 6061 aluminum.
Stainless Steel 304, 316, 303, 17-4 PH: These stainless steels need longer machining but are highly strong and corrosion-resistant. Our CNC centers excel at milling stainless steel prototypes and provide highly polished surfaces, smooth as a household spoon.
POM (Delrin), Nylon, PC (Polycarbonate): These plastics are used to make strong, wear-resistant parts. POM and nylon are perfect for precision parts, while PC offers excellent toughness and transparency, ideal for clear prototypes like lenses.
PEEK and ULTEM (PEI): These high-performance plastics withstand high temperatures. They are used in aerospace and medical industries but are more expensive.
Specialty Materials and Technical Applications
ABS: Often used for functional prototypes and models, ABS is hard and easy to machine. It often replaces 3D printed prototypes due to its reliable properties. We use CNC machining to cut, splice, and sand ABS parts to create smooth, high-quality prototypes.
PMMA (Acrylic): Used for transparent lenses, especially in the automotive industry. We offer high-quality PMMA polishing services to ensure clarity, smooth bonding areas, and no bubbles. Since polished PMMA surfaces wear easily, we pack them in special wooden crates to avoid damage during shipping.
EDM: For complex undercuts and details, we use EDM to precisely cut metal profiles. This technology delivers high accuracy and surface quality during fine finishing.
Summary
Choosing the right material impacts your prototype’s quality and functionality. Whether you need a transparent lens prototype or a high-strength aerospace part, we provide tailored solutions. With our experience and advanced equipment, RuiYi is your reliable partner.