Metal machining is a manufacturing method that involves the gradual removal of material from metal blocks or rods using cutting tools to achieve a product's final shape.

Throughout the process, various tools such as drills, end mills, and face mills are swapped based on the part's geometry and specific machining requirements. Through multiple stages of precision cutting, the raw material is transformed into the final design.

Modern CNC metal machining is primarily performed using numerically controlled equipment, such as machining centers or NC lathes. These machines achieve high-precision results through programmed control, providing more stable quality and higher efficiency compared to traditional manual machining.

The primary advantages of metal machining include high processing precision, the ability to machine complex geometries, compatibility with a wide variety of metal materials, and suitability for metal prototyping and small-batch production. Consequently, CNC machining is extensively applied in the manufacturing of high-precision industrial components.

ARRK has accumulated diverse production experience in the field of metal machining, participating in the manufacturing of various high-precision components such as automotive parts, aerospace components, medical device parts, machinery and robot parts, industrial equipment parts, and more.

Through years of prototyping and machining experience, we provide suitable processing solutions based on different product requirements. Whether it is single-unit prototyping, development testing, or small-batch production, we offer machining services with stable quality.

Machining can correspond to many different types of metal materials. Based on the properties and applications of the materials, they can be broadly categorized into ferrous materials, stainless steel materials, aluminum alloy materials, copper and brass materials, and other special metal materials. Different materials have significant differences in hardness, strength, and thermal conductivity; therefore, the corresponding technology and experience are required regarding machining methods, tool selection, and process control. Through appropriate material selection and machining condition settings, product quality and processing efficiency can be effectively ensured to meet the demands of various industries for precision parts.

• Ferrous Materials:

Ferrous materials are among the most common metals in mechanical processing. Depending on whether heat treatment is performed, they can exhibit different levels of hardness and mechanical performance. Carbon steel and alloy steel can improve strength and wear resistance after quenching, commonly used for mechanical parts and molds; meanwhile, mild steel and pure iron are widely used in general structural components due to their good machinability and lower cost.

Additionally, cast iron materials are frequently used for automotive and industrial equipment parts, such as engine blocks or machine bases. Typically, the shape is first formed through casting, and then high-precision areas are finished with machining. However, some cast irons, such as white cast iron, are not suitable for subsequent processing due to their brittleness, so special attention is required during material selection.

• Stainless Steel Materials:

Stainless steel materials possess excellent corrosion resistance and strength, and are widely used in environments such as food equipment, medical devices, and outdoor facilities. However, compared to general steel, stainless steel has higher hardness and toughness during processing and easily generates processing heat, so it is generally regarded as a difficult-to-machine material.

Common stainless steels like SUS304 and SUS430 have good corrosion resistance but relatively low machinability. To improve processing efficiency, free-machining stainless steels such as SUS303 or SUS430F are sometimes selected, though their corrosion resistance may be slightly lower; the choice should be based on the usage environment.

• Aluminum Alloy Materials:

Aluminum alloys feature lightweight properties, excellent machinability, and good thermal conductivity, making them common and important materials for electronic devices and mechanical parts. Different series of aluminum alloys vary in strength and corrosion resistance, allowing for the selection of suitable material grades based on product requirements.

Overall, aluminum has good machinability, but material adhesion (built-up edge) can easily occur during the cutting process, which may affect machining precision and surface quality. Therefore, appropriate cutting conditions and chip removal designs are crucial for maintaining processing stability.

• Copper and Brass Materials:

Copper and brass possess excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and are commonly used for electronic and electrical parts. These materials have good machinability, which can effectively enhance processing efficiency. However, because the materials are soft and have high ductility, burrs or surface scratches can easily occur during processing; thus, appropriate machining and post-processing techniques are needed to ensure product quality.

• Other Machinable Metal Materials:

Metals with very high hardness, such as titanium alloys and nickel-based alloys, have a higher level of processing difficulty; it is recommended to conduct technical evaluations and process planning in advance. Additionally, machining can also be applied to materials such as zinc alloys and magnesium alloys used in die casting.

In metal machining, the appropriate equipment is selected based on the material shape and product requirements. Generally, block materials are processed using "Machining Centers," while rod-shaped materials are often handled by "NC Lathes." Depending on the product's geometry and precision requirements, multiple types of equipment may be used in combination. In recent years, as product designs have become increasingly complex, 4-axis and 5-axis machines capable of multi-angle machining have become more common, making the machining process more efficient and improving overall precision.

ARRK is equipped with a wide variety of CNC machining facilities, capable of handling precision metal part processing for various shapes and size requirements.

•CNC Machining Center A machining center is an automated piece of equipment where block material is fixed onto a worktable and cut using rotating tools such as drills or end mills. Through program control, stable and high-precision machining can be achieved. compared to traditional manual milling machines, machining centers feature automatic tool changers that can switch tools based on machining needs, enhancing efficiency and consistency. Today, machining centers have become one of the primary pieces of equipment in the field of precision part processing.

•CNC Lathe An NC lathe is equipment that fixes rod-shaped material in a chuck, rotating the material while cutting it with stationary tools. Because the material rotates during processing, it is particularly suitable for producing cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical parts, such as shafts and flanges. NC lathes are also program-controlled and equipped with automatic tool-changing capabilities, allowing the use of appropriate tools at different positions to ensure machining precision and efficiency.

•5-Axis CNC Machining Equipment A 5-axis machining machine adds rotational axes to a 3-axis machining center, allowing tools to approach the workpiece from more angles, thereby increasing flexibility and precision. Through multi-axis control, multi-sided machining can be completed in a single setup, reducing the number of re-positioning instances, which in turn shortens machining time and minimizes errors. This type of equipment is especially suitable for parts with complex 3D curved surfaces, such as impellers or precision molds.

Metal machining offers numerous advantages, including high precision, high design freedom, a wide range of material compatibility, and suitability for small-batch production. As such, it is extensively used in prototyping and precision component manufacturing. However, it is also necessary to evaluate its limitations based on product requirements and select the appropriate manufacturing process.

・High-Precision Machining:

Machining equipment, such as machining centers and NC lathes, can achieve high-precision results, often used for manufacturing parts that require strict dimensional control. When pursuing high precision, factors such as ambient temperature and the thermal expansion of materials can affect the outcome; therefore, machining is typically performed in a controlled environment to ensure stable quality.

・Ability to Machine Complex Shapes:

Metal machining allows for the selection of appropriate tools and methods based on the product's geometry. It offers a high degree of design freedom and can effectively process complex structures or parts requiring high-precision fits. Additionally, it is commonly used for finishing after casting or other forming processes to improve dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

・Broad Material Compatibility:

Machining can be applied to a wide variety of metallic materials. By simply changing the appropriate cutting tools and adjusting machining parameters, different materials can be processed on the same equipment. However, expertise may vary among manufacturers—some may excel in aluminum alloys, while others specialize in difficult-to-cut materials like titanium or heat-resistant alloys. Therefore, choosing the right processing partner is crucial.

・Ideal for Small-Batch and Prototype Production:

Machining does not require dedicated molds; it only needs materials and tools to begin. This makes it particularly suitable for single-unit prototypes or small-batch production. This flexibility provides a clear advantage during the product development and initial verification stages.

While metal machining offers many benefits, design and manufacturing must still consider its limitations and cost characteristics, often using it in conjunction with other processes:

・Difficulty in reaching areas inaccessible to tools.
・Higher costs associated with increased material removal volume.
・Less suitability for mass production.

Q: Is it possible to process single-unit products using die-casting materials such as ADC12 or ZDC2?

A: Yes. We can form the material into blocks and then perform cutting and machining.

Q: Can you perform secondary machining on die-cast products manufactured by other companies?

A: Yes, we can perform high-precision secondary machining on existing parts.

Q: Can you machine undercut structures?

A: ARRK is equipped with 5-axis and various other machining facilities, enabling us to handle complex geometric requirements.

Q: Do you provide surface treatments such as anodizing, plating, or painting?

A: Yes. We provide one-stop machining services that include various surface treatment options.