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.