How to choose between aluminum casting machining and CNC machining?

Aluminum casting machining and CNC machining

Aluminum casting machining and CNC machining are both common manufacturing methods. They have their own advantages and disadvantages in different contexts. Below SUN-YEE TECH compares them from various dimensions such as material properties, cost, production lead time, accuracy, 등. and gives final recommendations.

1. Material properties

Aluminum alloy casting processing: aluminum alloy casting can produce complex shapes of parts, but the casting material properties are limited. Aluminum alloys have good fluidity and are suitable for casting molding.
CNC machining: CNC machining can be applied to a wide range of materials, including aluminum alloys. It is suitable for producing high-strength, high-precision parts.

2. Cost

Aluminum Casting Processing: Casting molds are expensive to make, but the cost per piece is lower in high volume production.
CNC machining: CNC machining is relatively inexpensive initially, but can become more expensive in high volume production.

3. Production cycle

Aluminum Casting Processing: Casting molds take time to make, but once made, large quantities of parts can be produced quickly.
CNC machining: CNC machining can be started quickly and is suitable for small batch production, but may take more time for mass production

4. Accuracy and surface quality

Aluminum Casting Machining: Casting usually produces a rougher surface that requires secondary machining to improve accuracy and surface quality.
CNC machining: CNC machining provides higher accuracy and surface quality and reduces the need for secondary machining.

5. Applicable scenes

Aluminum alloy casting processing: applicable to large quantities, the shape of the more complex parts, such as automotive parts.
CNC machining: suitable for small quantities of parts requiring high precision, such as aerospace parts.

Suggestion

For large quantities of parts with more complex shapes, especially if the initial investment is large and the production cycle is long, aluminum alloy casting machining is a cost-effective choice.
For small quantities, parts requiring higher precision, especially when flexible production is required, CNC machining is more suitable.
In practical application, sometimes you can also consider combining the two processes, according to the specific circumstances of the flexible choice, in order to maximize the product to meet the requirements.