Custom aluminum parts machined on 3, 4, and 5-axis equipment, with common alloys, anodizing and finishing coordinated to your drawing. No MOQ, from prototype brackets to production enclosures.
Aluminum is the most machined metal in our shop. It is light, corrosion-resistant, takes anodizing well, and cuts cleanly at high speed. That combination makes it the default starting point for enclosures, brackets, heat sinks, structural frames, and prototype parts that will eventually move to volume production.
We machine aluminum on 3, 4, and 5-axis milling centers and CNC lathes with live tooling. From a single prototype to production runs, the same engineer reviews your drawing, flags manufacturability issues, and stays on the order through finishing and inspection.
| Material | Aluminum (all common alloys) |
| Processes | 3, 4, 5-axis milling, CNC turning |
| Tightest tolerance | ±0.003mm (CNC) / ±0.001mm (grinding), when technically appropriate |
| Finishing | Anodizing II/III, powder coat, bead blast, polish, plating |
| Certifications | Certificate documentation available on request. |
| Typical lead time | 10-20 days |
And when it is not the right choice.
Aluminum hits a sweet spot that few materials match. It is about one-third the weight of steel, does not rust (it forms a thin oxide layer that protects itself), and cuts faster and more cleanly than steel or stainless. That means lower machine time, less tool wear, and shorter lead times at a competitive price.
It also takes anodizing exceptionally well. Type II anodizing adds color and moderate protection. Type III hard anodizing builds a thick ceramic-like layer that resists wear, corrosion, and electrical conductivity. For parts that need a finished look or a tough surface, aluminum is hard to beat.
When it is not the right choice: if you need high strength at elevated temperature, steel or titanium wins. If you need extreme hardness or wear resistance on the surface alone, a steel or hardened part may be better. If cost per part at high volume is the only driver, die casting the net shape and machining only the critical features is cheaper than billet machining.
| Property | Aluminum | Steel |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm3 | 7.85 g/cm3 |
| Machining speed | Fast | Moderate |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent (self-protecting) | Needs coating |
| Anodizing | Excellent | Not applicable |
| Cost per kg | Moderate | Lower |
Different jobs need different alloys. Here are the ones we cut most often. If you are not sure which fits your application, send the drawing and we will recommend one based on your strength, weight, corrosion, and cost requirements.
The general-purpose alloy. Good strength, excellent corrosion resistance, welds and anodizes well. The default for brackets, frames, and structural parts. If you are not specifying an alloy, 6061 is usually the safe pick. It is also the alloy behind most of the robotics and automation frames we machine.
High strength, used where weight and strength both matter. Aerospace fittings, automotive components, high-stress brackets. Does not anodize as cleanly as 6061 and costs more, but the strength-to-weight ratio is among the best. Where mass matters most, it is the grade we quote for EV structural and battery-housing parts.
Slightly lower strength than 6061 but takes anodizing better, producing a smoother and more uniform finish. Common for architectural parts, extrusions, and parts where appearance matters.
High strength, good fatigue resistance. Used in aerospace and military applications. Corrosion resistance is lower than 6061, so it is usually anodized or painted. Not recommended where corrosion exposure is uncontrolled.
| 6061 | General purpose, structural |
| 7075 | High strength, aerospace |
| 6063 | Good finish, architectural |
| 2024 | High strength, fatigue |
| 5052 | Sheet, corrosion resistance |
| 5083 | Marine, welded structures |
| 3003 | Low strength, formable |
| Cast grades | A380, ADC12 die-cast post-machining |
For full material properties including density, hardness, and strength values, see the aluminum material page.
Aluminum takes more surface treatments than almost any other metal. We offer the full range in-house or through vetted partners we manage directly, so you are not coordinating multiple suppliers.
Standard anodizing. Adds a colored oxide layer that protects against corrosion and gives a clean, uniform appearance. Available in clear, black, red, blue, gold, and custom colors. The standard finish for consumer-facing parts and enclosures.
Builds a thicker, harder oxide layer than Type II. Resists wear, abrasion, and corrosion. Typically dark grey or black. Used for parts that slide, rub, or see mechanical wear. Also electrically insulating.
| Appearance + color | Anodizing Type II |
| Wear resistance | Anodizing Type III |
| Matte, uniform look | Bead blasting |
| Thick, durable coating | Powder coating |
| Smooth, reflective | Polishing |
| Dimensional protection | Chromate conversion |
| Wear + solderability | Electroless nickel |
Aluminum is one of the easier metals to hold tight tolerances on. It does not work-harden the way stainless steel does, and it cuts cleanly without building up on the tool. That lets us run faster, hold finer features, and repeat dimensions consistently.
Standard machining tolerance is plus or minus 0.05mm. We hold plus or minus 0.025mm on critical features as standard for most parts. For features that need tighter control, we can hold plus or minus 0.003mm with grinding or hard milling.
Tolerance is always confirmed per feature when we quote. If a tolerance on your drawing is tighter than it needs to be for the part to function, we will flag it. Over-specifying tolerance adds cost without adding value.
| Standard | ±0.05mm |
| Critical features | ±0.025mm |
| Tight tolerance | ±0.003mm |
| Surface finish (Ra) | 0.8 to 3.2 micrometer standard, 0.4 possible |
| Flatness | 0.02mm over 100mm |
| Threaded holes | Class 6H standard, others on request |
We machine 6061, 6063, 7075, 2024, 5052, 5083, and 3003 routinely, plus cast aluminum grades for die-cast parts that need post-machining. If you are unsure which alloy fits your application, send the drawing and we will recommend one based on strength, weight, corrosion, and cost requirements.
Yes. We offer Type II anodizing for color and moderate protection, Type III hard anodizing for wear resistance, powder coating, bead blasting for a matte finish, polishing, and plating including electroless nickel. Finishing is done in-house or through vetted partners we manage directly.
Standard machining tolerance is plus or minus 0.05mm. We hold plus or minus 0.025mm on critical features and plus or minus 0.003mm on tight-tolerance features with grinding or hard-milling. Tolerance is confirmed per feature on your drawing when we quote.
No MOQ. You can start with a single sample part to verify fit and finish before committing to a batch. The same engineer-reviewed DFM applies whether you need one part or a thousand.
10 to 20 days for most aluminum orders, depending on complexity, quantity, and finish. Anodizing and other surface treatments add 3 to 7 days. Exact lead time is confirmed with your quote.
Yes. We run high-pressure die casting for aluminum parts at volume and machine the as-cast features that need tighter tolerances or threaded holes. The same shop handles casting, machining, and finishing.
Upload your CAD file with alloy, quantity, and finish. Our engineering team reviews manufacturability and comes back with a quote. No automated pricing tool, no shared sales inbox.