CNC Machining

Application of CNC in the field of digital electronics

How is CNC machining of aluminum alloy applied in the electronics industry?

Electronic products are related products based on electrical energy, including smart phones, electronic watches, computers, video recorders, etc. These products are used by more or less everyone in their daily life, and almost everyone has a mobile phone and a computer. But did you know that most of these inseparable products and structural components are manufactured from precision parts machining? What is the application of precision parts processing in electronic products?

First of all, we know very well that when we buy a crazy iPhone or a Mac that Cheng liked a long time ago, we rig it with some jackets (sleeves or sleeves) because if the bare machine falls on the ground Bumps can easily cause scratches on the device casing, thereby affecting the appearance. We take care to protect the device housing from precision machining. Since the sixth generation, iPhones have used so-called aerospace-grade aluminum-magnesium alloy casings. At present, most mobile phones of mainstream brands on the market use aluminum-magnesium alloys, which have the advantages of light weight, good heat dissipation, and high strength. However, due to the complexity of its machining, precision machining is required to achieve high precision. To a certain extent, it integrates seamlessly with the phone to protect against water and dust, so the price is very high.

Of course, this technology applies not only to phone casings, but also to the many metal structures inside the phone. In order to ensure the compatibility between the machine and the parts and the stability of the performance of the equipment during operation, the parts need to have high precision. Therefore, the parts that do not meet the standard belong to the production of major domestic processing plants.

Aluminum alloy CNC machining advantages

1. Easy to process

One of the main reasons why engineers choose aluminum alloy CNC machined parts is because it is very simple and the material is easy to machine. While this may seem to be more beneficial to the machinist who makes the part, it also has great benefits for the company ordering the part and the end user who ultimately uses it.

Because aluminum alloys are prone to chipping and because they are easy to form, they can be cut quickly and accurately with CNC machines. This is more important: First, the CNC machining cycle is short, and the product is cheaper to process (because less labor is required for machinists, and less machine processing time). Second, good cutting performance means that there is little deformation of the workpiece as the tool passes through it. This enables the machine to meet tighter tolerances (as low as ±0.015 mm) for greater accuracy and repeatability.

2. Corrosion resistance

Different grades of aluminum alloy materials vary widely in corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, and chemical damage. Fortunately, some of the most popular grades of aluminum alloy CNC machined parts are the most wear-resistant.

3. Strength to weight ratio

Aluminum alloys have desirable physical properties that make them ideal for mechanical and cosmetic parts. The two most important points are the high strength and light weight of this metal. These two factors make this material useful for making critical components, such as those required in the aerospace and automotive industries.

However, different grades of aluminum alloys have different uses. General-purpose grades such as 6061 can be used in a variety of components due to their good strength-to-weight ratio, while higher-strength grades such as 7075 may be more suitable for aerospace and marine applications.

4. Conductivity

CNC machined parts can be used for electrical components due to their electrical conductivity. While not as conductive as copper, pure aluminum has a conductivity of about 37.7 million Siemens/meter at room temperature. Alloys may have lower conductivity, but aluminum has significantly higher conductivity than stainless steel and other materials.

5. Anodizing potential

Aluminum CNC machined parts are particularly popular in the consumer electronics industry, not only because of strength and weight requirements, but also because of important aesthetic considerations. In addition to being receptive to paint and coloring, aluminum alloys can be anodized, a surface treatment process that thickens the protective and oxidized outer layers of the part.

The anodizing process is usually done after machining is complete and involves energizing in an electrolytic acid bath to obtain aluminum sheets that are more resistant to physical shock and corrosion.

Importantly, anodizing makes it easier to add color to mechanical aluminum alloy parts because the anodized outer layer is highly porous. The dyes can pass through the porous parts of the outer layer, and because they are embedded on the outside of the hard metal parts, they are less likely to crack or peel.

6. Recyclability

Another benefit of aluminium CNC machined parts is its high recyclability, which makes it more suitable for companies looking to minimise their environmental impact, or those who just want to reduce material waste and recover some of their costs. Recyclable materials are especially important in cnc machining, where chips on the tool create a lot of waste.

Why aluminum alloy CNC machining is very popular in the electronics industry?

Based on the process exploration of "appearance" and "performance", aluminum alloy casings for smartphones, smart TV frames, aluminum alloy surfaces such as smart watches, and smart wearable devices such as tablet computers can all be made of high-quality aluminum alloy materials. More practical and more beautiful. Because the aluminum alloy material has the strength of metal, it is light in weight, easy to dissipate heat, and has strong pressure resistance. With the development of consumer electronics, consumer electronics companies pay more and more attention to product design and material technology. , In order to enhance the brand image and user experience, the application potential of aluminum in the electronics industry has been continuously tapped. Aluminum alloy is mainly reflected in the shell and frame.

●Consumer Electronics

The Apple MacBook and its various models (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) are one of the most recognizable consumer electronics products in the world. Its strong and durable aluminum body is made with cnc milling technology.

Although die casting is a widely used process for making these housings, CNC machining is fast becoming a more reliable and preferred method. They can produce more complex geometries, achieve tighter tolerances, and provide higher strength than die casting and injection molding.

Apple relies heavily on CNC machining processes to make one-piece cases for the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. The MacBook case is carved out of an extruded aluminum block using a CNC machine. The keyboard hole and "thumb scoop" (the circular groove that opens the display cover) were also made using a CNC milling machine.

●Heat dissipation

A heat sink is a widely used electronic device that transfers heat from electronic components to liquid coolant or air. Heat sinks are used in computers and other equipment to cool critical components to maintain proper function.

Using machinable metals such as aluminum or copper, heat sinks can be manufactured using cnc machining techniques. Precision CNC machines can make even very small heat sinks, and devices can be manufactured in various configurations upon request.

●In conclusion

Aluminum alloy cnc processing is widely used in consumer electronic products, from mobile phones, headphones, speakers, watches, to TVs, laptops and even various smart homes. With the continuous growth of the economy, the global demand for electronic communication and other products will also continue to increase, which will also promote the expansion of the application scope of aluminum materials in various segments, and gradually develop and specialize in the direction of high-end. Innovate and upgrade aluminum alloy CNC processing technology, pay attention to new trends and applications of aluminum materials, develop high-precision products, open up new markets, and expand the overall demand for aluminum materials in consumer electronics.