Stainless Steel CNC Machining
Elimold routinely machines many different grades of stainless steel. We have extensive machining experience and can manufacture custom stainless steel CNC machined parts to meet any requirement or specification. Our machining services take a streamlined approach to solving your most challenging projects. With our in-house expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, our solutions are flexible and customizable to meet your needs.
Expert CNC Stainless Steel Machining Service
Manufacturing stainless steel parts is an area of expertise for Elimold. We have many years of experience in machining and finishing precision stainless steel cnc parts. It is the core of our business and we have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements that come with stainless steel machining. The team at Elimold has extensive skills and experience in this field and we have the necessary equipment and processes to deliver high-quality parts to your exact specifications.
Our stainless steel CNC shop can meet both short and long-term production runs of your parts. We can use a variety of CNC machining techniques to manufacture stainless steel parts and components in any shape and with any tolerance. Our team also has experience working with stainless steel under intense thermal loads and knows how to maintain the integrity of the material even under these conditions.
Elimold can help you take your stainless steel part or component from drawing to production. Elimold is an ISO 9001:2015 certified machine shop that specializes in manufacturing high-value components and constructing complex assemblies for use in demanding environments. Innovative equipment, highly trained staff and a dedication to quality enable us to offer a range of customer-specific services that streamline the supply chain. Talk to us about your existing part design or idea and our manufacturing engineers will help you build a prototype.
Stainless Steel CNC Machining & Capabilities
Our precision CNC machining capabilities include in-house, full-service manufacturing for all stainless steel components. Our state-of-the-art CNC machining equipment and technology include:
- CNC Machining Centers: 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling of components up to 40 inches in length.
- CNC Lathes: Multiple 18” diameter x 20” length Turning centers
- Quality Control: Temperature controlled inspection room with CMM and manual inspection capabilities.
- Software: Full 5-axis CAM system with machine simulation. We use Hypermill, Solidworks, MasterCAM, PC-DMIS CAD++ and Shoptech E2 Shop Management software.
Finishes and Post-Processing Options
As machined (standard): This standard finish is the most basic and economical CNC finish, often used in applications where the surface won’t be visible, and appearance isn’t a priority.
Anodizing: Anodizing creates a protective oxidation layer on the surface of a part, usually through electrochemical processes. Anodized CNC machined parts can be dyed in different colors. This finish is often used for stainless steel parts that will be exposed to an outdoor environment, as the oxidation layer helps protect them from rust and corrosion.
Powder coating: Powder coating creates an excellent and robust surface finish. Stainless steel is corrosion resistant to a wide array of chemicals, but some, like chlorides, still pose a challenge. Powder coating can be used to improve its anti-corrosion properties in these situations.
Bead blasting: Bead-blasted CNC machining produces a matte finish with texture and evenness. The finish is achieved by blasting stainless steel with an abrasive media such as glass beads, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide. Bead blasting creates a consistent look in end products with multiple parts machined from the same material.
Main advantages
Stainless steel has excellent machinability, excellent uniformity, corrosion and oxidation resistance, which prolongs product life and reduces the total cost of machined parts.
- Corrosion resistance
- Designed for improved machinability
- Low cost
- Quick part turnover
- High strength and stable quality.
- Beautiful surface and versatile use.
- High temperature oxidation resistance and high strength.
- Simple and easy maintenance because no surface treatment is required.
- Good welding performance.
- Excellent thermal expansion performance and thermal insulation performance. Improved weldability.
Applications of CNC Machined Stainless Steel Parts
Various industries use parts made from stainless steel. Some popular applications include:
- Handles
- Marine Parts
- Medical Devices
- Hospital and lab Instruments
- Automotive Parts
- Pressure Tanks
- Engine Parts
- Electronic Parts
- Weld Ferrules
- Cables
Need CNC Machined Parts in Stainless Steel?
Types of Stainless Steel Used in Machining
There are various grades of stainless steel used in machining, with the most prevalent being 304 and 316. 304 stainless steel contains mostly iron with 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It delivers corrosion resistance, along with strength and formability. 304 is ideal for fittings, fasteners, piping, and gears. 303 stainless steel is more machinable than 304, but it’s relative weakness often makes 304 the preferred choice.
316 stainless steel has similar performance but offers improved corrosion resistance. Its composition includes molybdenum, an increased amount of nickel, and 16% chromium. This composition grants it the ability to withstand contact with acids and chlorides, making it an ideal choice for food service equipment, medical equipment, and industrial environments where acids or alkalis are present.
To further strengthen stainless steel, some grades are subject to heat treatments, which result in precipitation hardening of the material. One of the most used types of PH stainless steel is 17-4 PH stainless steel. The composition of this alloy contains between 15 – 17.5% of chromium. Its high mechanical strength and excellent resistance to corrosion make it ideal for industries such as petrochemical, marine, and aerospace.
Industry Served
We provide the CNC machining for stainless steel parts used in the following industries:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Industrial
- Military
- Pharmaceutical
- Mining
- Construction
- Transportation
Custom Stainless Steel Parts for Medical Applications
Stainless steel is particularly suited to creating CNC machined parts for medical implantable devices, surgical instruments, and other medical components. Stainless steel features antibacterial properties, resists staining, does not deform over time, and is rust-proof. These features reduce the risk of infection from contaminants or surface imperfections.
Stainless Steel Components for the Aerospace Industry
While aluminum was once the go-to material for the aerospace industry, stainless steel is becoming more prevalent. While stainless steel machined components are heavier than their aluminum counterparts, stainless steel machining creates components with better resistance to corrosion and general wear and tear. Additionally, stainless steel’s resistance to high temperatures makes it an excellent choice for aerospace applications.
Difficulties of Stainless Steel Machining
Stainless steel can be difficult to machine. It has a very low machinability rating as compared to many other materials. It can be hard on tooling and machines if not handled properly. For instance, if the speed of a drill is too fast, it can destroy the tip of the drill and work harden the material in front of it. This makes it even more difficult and sometimes impossible to drill the rest of your hole. That will make for a really bad day. That’s why when choosing a shop to take care of your stainless steel machining needs, you need someone that has the tools and experience to handle it correctly.Elimold has been making quality parts from stainless steel for many years. We have experience with many different grades of stainless steel including 303, 304, 316, 321, 410, 416, 420, 431, 440C, 15-5PH, 17-4PH, and 2205 Duplex.
Your Custom Stainless Steel Machining Partner
Elimold is an ISO13485:2016 certified manufacturer of custom CNC machined parts for any industry. We provide a complete manufacturing service from concept to production to realization. In addition to stainless steel machining, we also machine:
- Titanium
- Cobalt Chrome
- Tungsten
- Inconel®
- Plastics
- And more.
Start Your Custom Stainless Steel Project Today!
We can’t wait to get started on your project! No matter how big or small, we can do it. Contact our engineers today for a custom project quote!