How CNC Aerospace Machining Can Benefit Your Project
From precision and accuracy to cost-effectiveness, aerospace machining is a powerful tool. This guide outlines the advantages of CNC aerospace machining and how to get started partnering with experts.
The Benefits of CNC Aerospace Machining
Prototyping
CNC aerospace machining allows for rapid prototyping and can help you make quick and precise adjustments to your models based on testing. This quick turnaround allows you to work out the kinks in your project and move on to production without lengthy delays caused by other manufacturing methods.
Other aerospace prototyping methods could take two weeks or more to create each new prototype, and then, if you need to make adjustments after that, the process restarts from the beginning. If another round of tweaks is needed, your project could end up being delayed for months.
With CNC aerospace machining, you can rapidly produce prototypes based on your specifications after testing. These prototypes can also be held to a high standard of precision, which leads us to our next point.
Precision, Accuracy, and Intricacy
CNC machines operate with a high degree of accuracy and precision. In fact, most CNC machines can achieve tolerances of +/- 0.005 inches or better, and high-precision CNC machines can achieve a tolerance of +/- 0.0005 inches.
This is extremely important when considering the safety specifications for aerospace parts. With this degree of tolerance, CNC machines can easily handle even the most minor of adjustments with a high degree of accuracy. This creates consistency across produced parts and reliable outcomes for finished products.
CNC machines are also able to produce intricate designs and complex geometric shapes, giving them a distinct advantage over other similar manufacturing methods. This allows you to create complicated prototypes and designs without concern that the manufacturer will struggle to produce them.
Material Versatility
CNC aerospace machining provides optimal flexibility when it comes to materials for your projects. CNC machines can work with a variety of metals like aluminum, copper, brass, steel, titanium, and more. They can also be used to manufacture plastic parts and unorthodox materials like wood, glass, ceramic, and even certain types of stone.
This can come in handy when you’re trying to make a part that utilizes multiple materials. For example, suppose you need 500 aerospace engine components made of stainless steel, 500 made of titanium, and 500 made of brass. They all need to be identical across materials with little room for error.
With other manufacturing methods, this process could take weeks, and you might need to go to multiple suppliers that specialize in different types of metals. You may also need to factor in extensive revisions to ensure the components remain identical.
With CNC machining, this process can be made much more efficient, providing you with 1,500 identical parts from three different metal types. You can get all the parts made in the same factory without having to switch from supplier to supplier, without making major revisions to your schematics.
Automation, Efficiency, and Production Speed
While investing in CNC aerospace machining can be initially expensive, it saves money over time through reduced production time, errors, and waste. CNC machines also add efficiency to operations through automation.
The right manufacturing partner will offer the CNC machining services you require, including the milling and lathe (turning) processes needed to make your precision parts. Additionally, CNC machines are programmed ahead of time, so it is vital that the partner you choose has qualified engineers who are able to properly program these machines so your parts meet all of your specifications.
If you’re interested in partnering with the experts in CNC aerospace machining, Garland Service Company is here to help. With decades of experience in precision machining, we’re equipped to help with your aerospace project. You can reach out to us here for more information.
To learn more about the finer points of precision machining, check out our blog here.
