CNC Machining Materials: Maximum Extents
Find the maximum extents of plastic and metal materials available for CNC milled and turned parts.
Maximum extents refers to the raw material and machining envelope. Depending on part geometry and fixturing/clamping requirements the maximum part size may be slightly smaller. For every upload we will analyse and provide feedback.
| 5-axis-indexed milling | 3-axis 2-sided milling | Turning centre | |||||
| Type | Material | X Y mm | Z mm | X Y mm | Z mm | Ø mm | Z mm |
| Aluminium | Aluminium 2024-T3/T351 | 3.1355 | AlCu4Mg1 | 254 x 178 | 70 | 356 x 254 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| 559 x 356 | 32 | ||||||
| Aluminium | Aluminium 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | AlMg4.5Mn0.7 | 254 x 178 | 93 | 559 x 356 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Aluminium | Aluminium 6082-T6/T651 | 3.2315 | AlSi1MgMn | 254 x 178 | 93 | 559 x 356 | 93 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Aluminium | Aluminium 7075-T6/T651 | 3.4365 | AlZn5.5MgCu | 254 x 178 | 91 | 559 x 356 | 91 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Aluminium | Aluminium 7075-T7351| 3.4365 | AlZn5.5MgCu | 254 x 178 | 91 | 559 x 356 | 91 | ||
| Brass | Brass Cz121 (bar) | 2.0401 | CuZn36Pb3 | Ø 75 | 228 | ||||
| Brass | Brass Cz112 (60/40) | 2.0321 | CuZn36Sn1 | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel EN8 | 1.0503 | Fe | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Copper | Copper C101 | 2.0060 | Cu | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| Mild Steel | Mild Steel S275JR | 1.0044 | Fe | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel 17-4 PH | 1.4542 | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 | 178 x 178 | 44 | 178 x 178 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel 304/304L | 1.4304 | X5CrNi18-10 | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel 316/316L | 1.4404 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| Titanium | Titanium Grade 5 | 3.7164 | Ti6Al4V | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | Ø 75 | 228 |
| ABS | ABS Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| ABS | ABS Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 356 x 254 | 44 | ||
| Acrylic (PMMA) | TECACRYL Acrylic Transparent | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 74 | ||
| HDPE | TECAFINE PE100 Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| HDPE | TECAFINE PE100 Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 6 SUSTAMID 6 FR Natural | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 6 TECAST TM Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 6 TECAST T Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 6 TECAMID GF 30% Black | 255 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 66 ERTALON GF30 Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 66 TECAMID 66 Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| Nylon | Nylon 66 TECAMID GF 30% Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| PBT | TECADUR GF 30% Light Grey | 254 x 178 | 70 | 279 x 228 | 74 | ||
| Polycarbonate (PC) | TECANAT Translucent Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 73 | ||
| PEEK | TECAPEEK Natural | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PEI | Ultem 1000 TECAPEI Natural | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PEI | Ultem 2300 TECAPEI 30% GF Natural | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PET | TECAPET / TECADUR | 255 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| PE-UHMW | TECAFINE PE1000 Natural (Opaque White) | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| POM (Acetal) | Acetal Copolymer Black | 254 x 178 | 93 | 380 x 279 | 70 | ||
| POM (Acetal) | Acetal Copolymer Natural | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
| POM (Acetal) | Acetal Copolymer SUSTARIN C FDA approved | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| POM (Acetal) | Acetal Copolymer Static Dissipative (TECAFORM AH SD) Beige | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| POM (Acetal) | Acetal Homopolymer | 254 x 178 | 32 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PP | Homopolymer Natural | 254 x 178 | 70 | 279 x 228 | 74 | ||
| PPSU | Radel R-5500 Black | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PTFE (Teflon) | TECAFLON White | 254 x 178 | 44 | 279 x 228 | 44 | ||
| PVC | TECAVINYL Grey | 254 x 178 | 93 | 279 x 228 | 93 | ||
* 5-axis indexed milling (3 + 2 milling)
What is 3-axis milling?
The 3 axis refer to the X (left-right) Y (front-back) and Z (up-down) movements of the tool. Complex shapes can still be generated like slopes and contoured surfaces. A limitation is that holes and threads typically need to be on one of the 3 axis.
What is 5-axis indexed milling?
5-axis indexed milling is available for all materials. Now, you can machine at any angle, achieving non-orthogonal features like off-axis holes over a much larger part envelope. The result?
- Increased part sizes to max 254mm x 178mm x 95mm for any material (see table above)
- More design freedom through oblique machining from any angle
- Improved milling capabilities for machining complex geometries such as cavities and off-axis holes
What is a turning centre?
A turning centre is a lathe, that also has milling capability – this gives you the advantage of much more complex components. The main consideration is designing in a “parting face” this is the last face to be machined and ideally should be flat. This face can be machined with a second setup. See our CNC turning page for more information.