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.

  3-axis 6-sided milling 3-axis 2-sided milling 5-axis milling* Turning centre
Type Material X Y  mm Z mm 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 73 99  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 73 99  Ø 75 228
Aluminium Aluminium 7075-T6/T651 | 3.4365 | AlZn5.5MgCu 254 x 178 91 559 x 356 91 Ø 73 99  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 73 99 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 Ø73 99 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 73 99 Ø 75 228
Stainless Steel Stainless Steel 17-4 PH | 1.4542 | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 254 x 178 44 279 x 228 44 Ø 73 99 Ø 75 228
Stainless Steel Stainless Steel 304/304L | 1.4304 | X5CrNi18-10 254 x 178 44 279 x 228 44 Ø 73 99 Ø 75 228
Stainless Steel Stainless Steel 316/316L | 1.4404 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 254 x 178 44 279 x 228 44 Ø 73 99 Ø 75 228
Titanium Titanium Grade 5 | 3.7164 | Ti6Al4V 254 x 178 44 279 x 228 44 Ø 73 99 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        
PP Homopolymer TECAFINE Beige 254 x 178 93 279 x 228 93        
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)

5-Axis Machining

5-axis* allows for a multifaceted approach to milling features from multiple angles, which means more complex designs can be manufactured.

With our 5-axis machining, it’s important to understand that the raw material used is bar stock (cylindrical). We have quoted the maximum diameter, the corresponding maximum milling envelope is shown in the diagram (66 mm x 73 mm x 99 mm). If in doubt about the maximum extents, please upload and we will provide detailed DfM feedback.

cnc toolset diagram
cnc toolset diagram

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 meant by 2-sided and 6-sided milling?

With 3-axis milling the part and spindle/tool are fixed relative to each other, the more features that can be addressed from one side the better (both for manufacturing time and accuracy). Protolabs offer milling from all 6 sides (think of drilling holes into a dice) on most materials. Due to their size, bigger components may only be accessible from 2 sides (the top and bottom or Z axis)

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.