Aerospace CNC Machining
Our customers have come to rely on our state-of-the-art precision machine shop for aerospace and defense machined products, and we always deliver. As an industry provider in aerospace machining, CNC machining, and aerospace manufacturing, we are constantly improving our processes among machine companies. Our commitment to quality management is evidenced through our adherence to ISO 9001- and AS9100-based standards. We implement stringent quality control systems and processes, ensuring your components are made with care at every stage of the production cycle.
What is Aerospace CNC Machining?
Aerospace CNC machining is the creation of parts used in assembling and maintaining aircraft and space shuttles. CNC-machined components, kits and assemblies are often necessary for aircraft in the aerospace industry. Whether you need hinges, bushings, manifolds, clamps or other custom manufactured parts, aerospace equipment and aircraft parts need the best components made with the highest quality metals in order to function properly. Titanium and Kovar are most often used for aerospace components, but others include Stainless Steel, Inconel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Ceramic, Copper, and other certain types of plastic.
Why Does the Aerospace Industry Use CNC Machining?
High-quality aerospace machined parts are essential for organizations throughout the industry. However, aerospace is also a highly regulated industry, necessitating working with a CNC machining partner with the proper certifications and experience to keep you compliant.Elimold’s aerospace CNC machining parts go through multiple quality assurance products that give you all of the benefits of this specialized machining process, such as:
- Producing complex, custom parts at scale
- Focuses on dependability and quality
- Ready to work with nearly any type of material your project requires
- Manufacture the parts you need on time and on budget
World-Class Aerospace CNC Machining Services with Customized Solutions
Elimold can tackle every aspect of your aerospace fabrication project from start to finish. Our expertise begins with your initial material purchase and document control, and carries through to the completion of your products’ sub-contract finishing and final inspection.
When required, complete build books are supplied to the customer. Also, inspection documentation is maintained for traceability back to individual material lots if required. Of course, first article inspection is an important ingredient with any new project. Inasmuch, such inspections are performed on all new parts and complete FAI reports can be supplied as needed.
What do our aerospace CNC machining services include?
- Durable, precise, production-grade components in days
- Application and technical expertise at every stage of development and production
- Reduced development cost through fast prototyping and production
- High-speed 3-axis and 5-axis milling and turning with live tooling for complex components
- Quality certifications: ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, ITAR registered
- Traceability for qualified aluminum parts
- Post processing enhancements such as anodizing and chromate plating
- Top quality product design and manufacturing
- Innovative solutions to enhance productivity and reduce cost
- Standard and custom machining services for a wide variety of materials including steel and titanium
- Innovative solutions that give you a distinct competitive edge in the market
- Advanced product testing facilities to ensure compliance and performance
Services We Offer
Elimold’s in-house CNC machining and precision fabrication capabilities can streamline the production of your complex aerospace parts and assemblies under one roof. Our engineering team can assist you in refining your product designs for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly. We strive to meet or exceed every project deadline and uphold your lean manufacturing requirements.
Our full-service fabrication department and machine shop will seamlessly generate the CAM program for your complex assembly project while customizing the set-up of the most efficient machining center. Integrated with 28 high-precision CNC machines, our machine shop has the capability to tackle the most challenging of aviation manufacturing projects with a truly optimized turnkey solution.
3-Axis milling on a vertical milling machine allows for 2.5D and 3D machining of most parts. Using X, Y, and Z movement 3-axis milling is used for the majority of machining projects. Milling on a 3 Axis machine requires each work face to be machined independently. For each work face the part needs to be positioned and secured in a process called work-holding.
4 and 5-Axis milling allows for 3D machining with either a rotating part or a rotating mill. Using X, Y, Z, A and possibly B axis 4 and 5 -axis milling is used for complex machining projects. Milling on a 4-5 Axis machine rotates the part for complex contours and shapes. Machining on a four axis machine typically increases machine time cost 50%, while a fifth axis machine would increase machine time costs upwards of 300%
CNC Turning on a lathe allows for machining of cylindrical parts. Using X, Y, and A movement lathes are used for nearly all cylindrical machining projects. Turning on a lathe has limitations on the overall diameter of the stock being machined at 7 inches, but can turn parts up to 32 inches in length.
Wire EDM (Electical Discharge Machining) allows for high precision and near 90 degree corners using a small wire and high levels of electrical current to cut the material.
Small Hole EDM (Electical Discharge Machining) like Wire EDM allows for high precision and near 90 degree corners using a small wire and high levels of electrical current to cut the material. However Small Hole EDM does not require the wire pass through the part allowing for pockets and cavities within the material rather than just cutting through-hole like Wire EDM.
Sinker EDM is typically used for complex 3-D shaped parts, often with small or odd shaped angles. The process provides a finished part without stresses on the material. Sinker EDM has a wider variety of applications, such as blind cavities/key-ways, thin walls, or cross sections.
Standard Specifications for Aerospace CNC Machining Services
| Service Type | Weight Capacity (lbs) | Maximum Dimensions (inches) | Tolerances (inches) | Lead Time (weeks) | Pricing Range ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milling | |||||
| Basic | 1000 | 20 x 20 x 10 | ±0.001 | 2-4 | 500-2000 |
| Advanced | 3000 | 40 x 20 x 15 | ±0.0005 | 3-6 | 2000-5000 |
| Turning | |||||
| Basic | 500 | Ø8 x 20 | ±0.001 | 2-4 | 500-1500 |
| Advanced | 1500 | Ø12 x 30 | ±0.0005 | 3-6 | 1500-4000 |
| Grinding | |||||
| Basic | 800 | 20 x 10 x 6 | ±0.0002 | 4-6 | 1000-2500 |
| Advanced | 2000 | 30 x 15 x 8 | ±0.0001 | 5-8 | 2500-6000 |
| EDM | |||||
| Wire | 1200 | 16 x 12 x 10 | ±0.0001 | 4-7 | 1500-3500 |
| Sink | 1500 | 20 x 15 x 12 | ±0.0001 | 5-8 | 2000-5000 |
Note: This table is for reference purposes only and may not reflect the exact specifications of every aerospace CNC machining service provider. Please consult Elimold for specific details.
Materials for Aerospace Machined Parts
The aerospace industry has strict regulations for acceptable materials in parts manufacturing. They must be strong and durable yet lightweight. Aluminum is one of the most common materials fulfilling these conditions for aerospace CNC machining, either as an alloy or in its pure form. Compliant materials for aerospace parts include:
- Aluminums: 6061, 7075, 7050
- Stainless Steel: 303, 304, 316, 321, 420SS, 416, 440
- Plastics: Delrin, Nylon, PEEK, HDPE, Glass Filled Nylon
our aerospace CNC machining projects
- Multiple Ejector Rack (MER)
- Triple Ejector Rack (TER)
- Ejector Bomb Rack F/A-18
- Firefinder AN/TQP-37
- Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System
- Missile Launcher F/A-18
- Decoy Dispensing System (Countermeasures)
- Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (Deep Space Power Source)
- Advance Countermeasures Electronic Systems
- Gun Components, Over 5.56mm up to 125mm
- Vehicular Components
- Jet Turbine Components
- Rotary Wing Components
- Fixed Wing Components
- Custom Hardware and Fixtures
Advantages of Aerospace CNC Machining on Elimold
we insist on quality and reliability, and that doesn’t stop us from constantly innovating to better serve our customers. Respected industry professionals meet the highest standards, employing depth of experience and cutting-edge CNC machining technology to meet your specific needs.
High Precision Components & Tight Tolerances
Elimold can manufacture and inspect to standard tight tolerances between +/-0.001″ – 0.005″, or to the exact specifications of your project, and will include GD&T callouts. The minimum feature size on CNC parts is generally 0.020” (0.50 mm), depending on part geometry and chosen material. We offer both standard and non-standard threads and tapped holes, and can reach a maximum single part size of milled parts up to 80” x 48” x 24” (2,032 x 1,219 x 610 mm) and lathe parts up to 62” (1,575 mm) long and 32” (813 mm) diameter.
Expert Quality Assurance
Elimold holds all the qualifications necessary for aerospace-grade parts, offering exceptional workmanship beyond the industry standard. With our precision CNC machining services, we ensure uniform finish/plating coverage, no defects, machining marks, or foreign object debris (FOD), exact welds, countersinks, threading, and edge conditions, as well as Full Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) inspection reports, an ultrasonic inspection of raw material, and dye penetrant inspection of machined components. Elimold is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified, ITAR registered, and we provide full inspection, hardware traceability, material certifications, and CoCs.
Learn More About Our Aerospace Machining Capabilities
At Elimold, we are dedicated to providing precision-machining services to serve the aerospace and military industries. To learn more about our extensive portfolio of CNC-machining services, contact our experts today to request a quote.