Achievable aluminium machining tolerances depend on the profile geometry, component length, datum structure, feature size, machine access, fixturing, and inspection, but, in general, we work with ISO 2768-mK. You can find out more about the machining tolerances we work with in our aluminium profile design guide.
Aluminium Profile Machining Services
Aluminium profile machining is at the heart of ALUCAD. We use the machining method that delivers the required precision and repeatability, while continually looking for ways to make production more efficient and cost-effective. We specialise in machining aluminium extrusions into custom-made components for doors, hinges, LED channels, heat sinks, solar panel mounting systems, and much more.
Machining your extruded aluminium profile into a finished component
We'll transform your bespoke aluminium extrusion into a machined aluminium product, with all machining, cleaning, inspecting, accessory assembling, and packaging carried out in-house at our production centre.
Our aluminium profile machining capabilities
Cutting to length
Drilling
Tapping & threading
Milling
Slots
Pockets
Holes
Countersinking
Counterboring
Chamfering
Deburring
Punching
Turning
Bending
Waterjet cutting
Explore our aluminium machining equipment
Head over to our equipment library to see our machining capabilities in more detail, including the machinery and processes available across our production facility.
If you do not see exactly what your project requires, ask us anyway. We are always investing in new tooling, processes, and equipment to meet specific production requirements.
Aluminium extrusion machining specifications
Our aluminium profile machining services are designed for repeatable, high-volume production of machined aluminium components using alloys in the 6xxx series.
6300mm max extrusion length
Profiles generally shorter than 1m - we specialise in machined aluminium components rather than long, extruded bars
Aluminium alloys 6063, 6061, 6060, 6005, 6082 (T5 and T6)
Tolerances to ISO 2768-mK unless otherwise specified
Series and high-volume production
Inspection via manual and digital (Optical Video Measuring) checks
Have an aluminium profile that needs machining?
In-house fabrication of custom machining tools for aluminium profiles
Where beneficial, we design and manufacture dedicated tooling in-house to improve the machining of bespoke aluminium profiles.
Using CNC EDM technology, we can produce custom punching tools designed around the geometry of your aluminium extrusion. This can improve positioning accuracy, reduce setup time, increase repeatability, and support more efficient series production. For suitable components, dedicated tooling can also reduce machining time and help lower the overall production cost of machined aluminium profiles.
How we machine your aluminium profile
01
Review your drawings
Because we manage both extrusion and machining, we can identify early where the profile design could affect machining, or where machining requirements could influence the extrusion. We assess your geometry, tolerances and production requirements together to optimise the component for efficient manufacture.
02
Selecting the machining process
We determine the most efficient combination of CNC machining, milling, drilling, tapping, punching, and other processes to achieve the required accuracy while controlling production time and cost.
03
Developing tools, jigs, or fixtures
Where beneficial, we create custom-made jigs, fixtures, and punch press tools around your extruded aluminium profile to improve fabrication efficiency and reduce your costs.
04
Machining and inspecting production
Your aluminium profile is machined with in-process inspection to maintain consistency before the finished component moves on to finishing, assembly, and packaging.
Why choose ALUCAD as your machined aluminium profile supplier?
Specialists in aluminium profile machining
Our specialty is transforming bespoke aluminium extrusions into finished, machined aluminium profiles for repeat production.
Custom tooling developed in-house
Dedicated tooling can improve positioning accuracy, repeatability, production speed, and overall machining efficiency.
European project management
Projects are supported and managed by European communication and coordination, making technical discussions and production follow-up straightforward.
One supplier from your extrusion drawings to the delivery of your machined aluminium profiles
Extrusion, custom aluminium machining, finishing, assembly, packaging, and delivery, all managed through a single supply chain.
Flexible production and delivery
Regular shipments to our French headquarters support flexible delivery schedules for ongoing and high-volume production programmes.
Competitive manufacturing costs
Our production model combines European project management with globally competitive manufacturing for machined aluminium profiles.
Explore our other aluminium profile services
Alongside aluminium profile machining, ALUCAD can support your project all the way to the delivery of your product ready-for-use.
Find out what we can do for you
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions About Bespoke Aluminium Extrusion and Machining
If there is the option of using the punch press to machine your profile, punching will almost always be the cheaper and more performing machining operation. Since we fabricate the tooling ourselves at ALUCAD, the initial investment is essentially negligible, but the cost savings are significant. We were once able to reduce 50% of a client's costs by machining their aluminium profile with a dedicated punch press tool rather than CNC machining.
Are your tolerances too tight? Does it require many operations, and none can be done via for example punching, which is significantly more efficient? Is your part very complex, with strict needs, and therefore increases the risk of non-conformities which must be considered in the price? Check out our blog if you're looking for more suggestions on how to reduce the cost of your aluminium profile's machining operations.
We can do either, depending on what you need. If we machine after anodisation, the machining operation will remove the anodised layer from the cut surfaces. If that is a problem for your product's function, then we can machine before anodisation. Or sometime, you might need a mix of both. Not sure which you need? Head over to our blog to read more on when you should anodise your aluminium product before machining, after machining, or both.