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CNC Machining Copper

CNC Machining Copper

Flourish Legend showcases the outstanding advantages of copper machining! Supported by advanced equipment and professional technical talents, we provide excellent brass component machining services. Copper, as a versatile material, exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and malleability, making it suitable for various application fields. 


Our team excels in copper component machining processes and can shape it into precision CNC machining parts, decorative items, and other customized products. By choosing Flourish Legend, you will receive high precision and superior quality copper products that embody unique aesthetics and exquisite craftsmanship. Let us collaborate and create captivating finished brass products together!

Custom CNC Machining Copper Parts

Brass, due to its unique properties and attractive appearance, finds wide-ranging applications in various fields. Here are the common application areas of brass:




Advantages of CNC Machining of Copper

High Precision Machining

High Precision Machining: CNC technology, combined with advanced control systems and precision tools, enables high-precision machining of copper parts. Through precise calculations and control, it can achieve micron-level accuracy requirements, ensuring the dimensional and geometric precision of the machined parts.

Complex Structure Machining

Complex Structure Machining: CNC machining allows for precise machining of copper parts with complex structures. Through multi-axis control like 5 axis machining and flexible tool path planning, it can create complex shapes and intricate contours, meeting various customized requirements.

Efficient Production

Efficient Production: Once the program is written, CNC machining enables automated continuous production, improving production efficiency. Compared to traditional manual or semi-automatic machining methods, CNC machining can significantly reduce production cycles, reduce labor input, and enhance production efficiency and consistency.

Excellent Surface Quality

Excellent Surface Quality: CNC machining can achieve high-quality surface finishes for copper parts. By selecting appropriate tools, cutting parameters, and surface treatment techniques, it can achieve smooth and uniform surfaces, enhancing the appearance quality and assembly performance of the copper parts.



Basics and Considerations of ​CNC Machining of Copper

CNC copper machining is one of the most precise metal processing services for manufacturing copper parts in various industries. Copper possesses properties such as ductility and malleability, making it an ideal choice for CNC machining. Copper parts produced through customized CNC machining are used in industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical. Copper is one of the most easily machinable materials, allowing machinists to fully utilize its characteristics.


In this article, Flourish Legend provides all the information about CNC copper machining, its applications, and various factors to consider before machining copper. By understanding the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each alloy, you can choose the ideal copper alloy based on your design requirements.


1. Commonly Used Copper Grades And Copper Alloys In CNC Machining

Some of the most common copper grades used in CNC machining include:


MaterialsDescriptions
Copper 101Copper 101 is the purest grade of copper, containing 99.9% copper. It serves as the base for bronze and brass alloys. C10100, also known as oxygen-free electronic (OFE) copper, is pure copper with an oxygen content of approximately 0.0005%. It is the most expensive among these copper grades.
Copper C110Copper C110, also known as electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper, is easier to machine compared to Copper 101. C11000 is the most popular among all ETP copper grades. C11000 typically contains less than 50 parts per million of impurities, including sulfur. Moreover, they exhibit high electrical conductivity, up to 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). ETP copper originates from cathode copper, which refers to copper refined through electrolysis. Typically, this process involves filling copper compounds into a solution. Then, applying sufficient power helps in purifying the copper material. As a result, most ETP copper contains fewer impurities compared to other copper grades.
BronzeIt is an alloy of tin, copper, and phosphorus, known for its hardness and strength. Bronze is CNC machined to produce bearings and gears.
BrassIt is an alloy of zinc and copper, renowned for its machinability and hardness. Brass is machined into low-friction and complex parts, including valves, gears, bearings, and locks. Brass components are also used in outdoor applications that may be exposed to saltwater and other contaminants.


2. Pros and Cons of CNC Copper Parts

Most CNC copper parts available today have specific advantages and disadvantages.


AdvantagesDisadvantages
In general, most CNC copper parts exhibit good machinability, ductility, and impact strength. They also display high thermal and electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. Another advantage of CNC copper parts is their good formability during both hot and cold work. Additionally, CNC copper parts are compatible with a variety of cost-effective surface treatments.While there are comprehensive advantages, using CNC-machined copper parts also has some drawbacks. For example, not all copper materials can undergo processes like spot welding or metal arc coating.
Different grades of copper have different corrosion resistance. Therefore, some CNC copper parts are susceptible to corrosion in atmospheres containing reactive substances.
Copper has a higher cost compared to some commonly used metal materials, resulting in relatively higher machining costs for CNC copper parts.
Rapid tool wear: Copper has high cutting and thermal conductivity, making it prone to tool wear. In CNC copper machining, frequent tool replacement and maintenance are required, increasing costs and the complexity of process control.
Difficulties in handling thermal deformation: Copper is prone to thermal deformation during machining, especially at high cutting speeds. Proper cooling and cutting parameter control are necessary to minimize heat impact and maintain machining accuracy.


3. Considerations for CNC Copper Machining

CNC machining of copper is easier compared to machining materials like aluminum or steel with similar strength. However, certain things must be kept in mind to achieve optimal results.


StepsDescriptions
Select The Right Grade Of CopperWhile copper has been successfully used for years, it is one of the more expensive materials. C101 may not have the same machinability as C110 but is more cost-effective. Therefore, the choice of material will depend on the characteristics of your application.
Set The Feed RateThe feed rate is the speed at which the cutting tool engages with the workpiece. Therefore, it is crucial to set the correct feed rate before machining copper, as it affects the quality, tool life, and surface finish of the copper parts. Furthermore, copper has a high thermal conductivity, so a high feed rate can increase tool wear over time.
Design For ManufacturabilityBefore machining copper, you must address design requirements and specifications. This will help you achieve the desired functionality for manufacturing copper parts.
Additionally, you can adhere to some design best practices, including reducing the number of part setups, checking dimensions, and avoiding small radii in deep cavities.
Choose Appropriate Tool MaterialsMany bronze alloys are easy to machine and softer than aluminum and steel of equivalent strength. This can lead to chip formation and tool wear. Therefore, selecting the right tool material is crucial. High-speed steel is a suitable tool material for CNC machining copper.
Finishing And Post-Processing OptionsPolishing: Polishing is a commonly used surface treatment method that involves mechanical grinding and the use of polishing compounds to make the copper surface smooth and remove surface roughness and oxidation. Polishing improves the appearance quality and glossiness of copper.
Plating: Plating involves coating the copper surface with a layer of metal or non-metal material to alter its appearance, provide corrosion resistance, or enhance its functionality. Common plating options include chrome plating, nickel plating, and zinc plating.
Oxidation: Oxidation involves forming an oxide layer on the copper surface to change its color and appearance. Copper can be chemically or electrochemically oxidized to create oxide films of different colors, such as black, blue, green, etc.
Protective coatings: Protective coatings are often used to protect the copper surface from oxidation, corrosion, and contamination. These coatings can be organic paints, varnishes, or special coatings that provide long-lasting protection and aesthetic appearance.
Acid etching: Acid etching is a process that removes oxide layers and impurities from the copper surface. By immersing the copper part in an acidic solution, oxide compounds, and impurities can be removed, restoring the brightness and purity of the copper.
Mechanical engraving: Mechanical engraving involves creating marks and engravings on the copper surface using mechanical tools, creating patterns, text, or decorative effects. Mechanical engraving can add unique textures and artistic appeal to copper products.


These surface treatment processes can be combined according to requirements to achieve the desired appearance, performance, and protection effects. Choosing the appropriate treatment methods can improve the quality, durability, and aesthetics of copper products.


Copper and copper alloys are renowned for their excellent machinability and beneficial properties. However, the success of your CNC copper machining project will depend on the CNC custom metal machining workshop you collaborate with. Flourish Legend provides precision machining parts for various industries, helping many innovative companies manufacture copper parts accurately while meeting their requirements for surface finish, precision, and tolerances.


CNC Machining Copper Purity Selection Recommendations

  • High purity copper (such as 99.9% purity) is suitable for applications that require high electrical and thermal conductivity, such as electrical and electronic components, but its lower hardness may cause tool sticking during copper CNC machining.


  • CNC milling copper containing a small amount of alloying elements (such as copper-zinc alloy or copper-aluminum alloy) has better mechanical strength and processing performance, and is suitable for applications that require high wear resistance, such as mechanical parts.


  • As a copper machining company that adheres to long-termism, we recommend that no matter which purity of copper material you choose, using sharp tools and appropriate coolant, as well as optimized cutting parameters, are the key to ensuring high-quality processing.

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We will check color, appearnce and tolerance by qulity control at every step during manufacturing process.

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Besides high-volume production, we can also provide good solutions for your low-volume production (MOQ》1) with prototyping process.

Competitive Price

Our continuous investments in equipment and QC systems help us to get higher efficiency and quality which decrease reject ratio and increase market competitiveness in delivery qualified parts on time.

Reliability and Stability

Our 24 hours | 3 shifts production systems help your parts get into markets quickly and steadily.

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