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 to machine
Finished profiles typically shorter than 1m (we do not supply long-length profiles that only require extrusion)
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. It can also reduce machining time and lower the overall production cost of your machined aluminium profile.
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 manufacturing process.
02
Selecting the machining process
We determine the most efficient method to machine your aluminium profile, whether it be a combination of CNC machining and punching, waterjet cutting and tapping, or 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
Inspecting your machined aluminium products
Your aluminium profile is inspected with the appropriate quality-control requirements before the finished component moves on to finishing, assembly, and packaging, undergoing further inspections then, too.
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
We'll always check if it's worth making a custom-made tool to machine your aluminium component, because when it is, it'll improve accuracy, repeatability, production speed, overall efficiency, thereby reducing machining costs.
European project management
Projects are managed by European communication and coordination, making technical discussions and follow-up straightforward, while production occurs in China and costs remain controlled.
One-stop-shop for all your custom machined aluminium profile needs
Extrusion, custom aluminium machining, finishing, assembly, accessories (not necessarily in aluminium, either), packaging, and delivery, all managed through a single supplier.
Flexible production and delivery
Regular shipments to our French headquarters support flexible delivery schedules for ongoing and high-volume production programmes.
Competitive manufacturing costs and standards
Our production model combines European project management, communication, and quality standards, with globally competitive manufacturing for machined aluminium profiles.
Explore our other bespoke 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 because 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. But, whether it'll be more economical depends on your aluminium profile and requirements (volume, machining operations, tolerances...).
Aluminium profile machining costs depend on the component's geometry, tolerances, machining operations, production volume, and tooling requirements. Complex machining, multiple setups, and tight tolerances, for example, can increase production time and costs.
For suitable applications, alternative methods such as punching with dedicated tooling can reduce machining time and lower the cost per component, particularly for repeat production. 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.