What are the challenges of machining composites?

Fiber abrasion quickly wears standard tooling, risk of delamination at edges, heat generation can damage the matrix, and fiber pull-out degrades surface finish. Specialized tooling is required.

What tooling is recommended for composite machining?

Diamond-coated or PCD tooling is recommended for wear resistance. Sharp cutting edges and proper chip evacuation are essential. Coatings like CVD diamond provide extended tool life.

What is the most commonly machined composite?

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer is the most common. It offers excellent strength-to-weight ratio and is used in aerospace, automotive, and sports applications.

What are the common applications of CNC composite machining?

Aerospace structural components, lightweight automotive parts, medical orthotics, sports equipment, and protective parts.

Can composites be machined on standard CNC equipment?

Yes, but specialized tooling and cutting conditions are required to prevent delamination, fiber pull-out, and tool wear.

What is the difference between carbon fiber and fiberglass composites?

Carbon fiber composites are stronger, stiffer, and lighter but more expensive. Fiberglass composites are cost-effective, with good strength and corrosion resistance.

CNC Composite

CNC composite machining is the precision processing of engineered composite materials using computer-controlled cutting tools. Composites are multi-phase materials combining reinforcing fibers with polymer matrices to achieve superior mechanical properties. Common composite materials include carbon fiber reinforced polymer, glass fiber reinforced polymer, and advanced composites.

Composites are challenging to machine due to the abrasive nature of reinforcing fibers, risk of delamination, and potential for heat damage. Specialized tooling such as diamond or PCD, specific speeds and feeds, and proper chip evacuation are required. Tolerances are held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard.

Our CNC Machining Services

From prototype to production — reliable quality, on-time delivery

We provide precision CNC machining services for a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, PEEK, PTFE, acetal, nylon, and other engineering plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities cover 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, as well as CNC turning, suitable for both prototype development and high-volume production runs.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a commitment to quality, we serve customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer goods industries. Our in-house capabilities include surface finishing, anodizing, powder coating, heat treatment, and inspection with CMM and optical measurement equipment.

We offer competitive pricing, flexible lead times, and full material traceability. From simple brackets to complex precision components, we deliver parts that meet your specifications with reliable quality and on-time delivery.

Case StudiesMore+

SLINAR - Precision Tool Steel Stepped Eccentric Camshaft: Integrated Turn-Mill + Grinding for Multi-Lobe Eccentricity Control

Precision Tool Steel Stepped Eccentric Camshaft: Integrated Turn-Mill + Grinding for Multi-Lobe Eccentricity Control-aluminum

SLINAR - Custom Aluminum 6061 Part CNC Milling Machining Service

Custom Aluminum 6061 Part CNC Milling Machining Service-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 6061 Dual-Adjustable Locating Fixture with Black Anodizing for 3C Automation

Precision 6061 Dual-Adjustable Locating Fixture with Black Anodizing for 3C Automation-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 6061 Aluminum Custom-Shaped Cavity Housing: Single-Block Milled Unibody Construction with Blue Anodized Finish

Precision 6061 Aluminum Custom-Shaped Cavity Housing: Single-Block Milled Unibody Construction with Blue Anodized Finish-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 6061 Aluminum Automation Slider Component: High-Performance Milling with Black Anodized Finish

Precision 6061 Aluminum Automation Slider Component: High-Performance Milling with Black Anodized Finish-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 6061-T6 Semiconductor Optical Inspection Module Base Housing with Coaxiality Control

Precision 6061-T6 Semiconductor Optical Inspection Module Base Housing with Coaxiality Control-aluminum

Materials

Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | 54300| AlMg4.5Mn0.7

Aluminum 5083 (CNC) is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 6063 | EN AW-6063 | 62400| AlMg0,7Si

Aluminum 6063 has good mechanical properties and can be heat treated. Suitable for aerospace applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5

Aluminum 5052 is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1

Aluminum 2024 is a high-strength alloy with excellent fatigue resistance. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 7050

Aluminum 7050 | EN AW-7050 | 3.4144| AlZn6CuMgZr

Aluminum 7050 has excellent mechanical properties with good ductility, high strength, toughness and good resistance to fatigue. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 7050

Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum MIC6

Aluminum MIC6 is a light weight material that can be easily machined at high speed and is free from tension, contaminants and porosity.

Understand Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 6082-T651 | 3.2315 | 64430 | AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082-T651 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 2017A | 3.1325 | 24530 | AlCu4MgSi

Aluminum 2017 has a higher ductility and formability than Aluminum 2014 and has intermediate strength.

Understand Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 7075-T651 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T651(CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels. T651 is the temper of Aluminum 7075, and to achieve this temper, the alloy is solution heat-treated, stress relieved, and then artificially aged.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 2014 | 3.1255 | 24345 | AlCu4SiMg

Aluminum 2014 is easily machined and can be hardened to get strengths comparable to steel, but is prone to corrosion. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 6061-T651 | 3.3211 | 65028 | AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061-T651 is commonly used in aerospace, automotive and construction industry, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability, and good weldability. The "T651" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 7075-T7351 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T7351 is commonly used in aerospace and defense applications, as well as automotive and transportation, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability and good fatigue resistance. The "T7351" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6061-T6 | 3.3211| 65028| AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061 (CNC) is the most popular aluminum alloy. It has good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability and natural corrosion resistance.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6082 | 3.2315 | 64430| AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 6060 | 3.3206 | AlMgSi

Alloy 6060 offers good strength, relatively good corrosion resistance and is suitable for decorative anodizing.

Understand Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 7075-T6

Aluminum 7075-T6 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5,5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T6 (CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T6

Applications

Aerospace

Structural components and panels
Wing and fuselage components
Interior cabin components
Fairings and aerodynamic surfaces

Automotive

Lightweight structural components
Interior panels and trim
Engine cover components
Motorsports racing components

Industrial Equipment

Wear and abrasion-resistant parts
Machine guards and covers
Tooling components

Medical

Orthotic and prosthetic components
Imaging table surfaces
Lightweight equipment structures

Sports

Bicycle frames and components
Sports equipment parts
High-performance parts

Capabilities

We machine carbon fiber, fiberglass, and engineered composites. Specialized tooling and controlled cutting conditions prevent delamination and fiber pull-out. Aerospace and automotive grades are machined. Tolerances held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard. ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

Finishes

As-Machined

Standard finish for composite parts
Functional surfaces
Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm typical

Bead Blasting

Uniform matte texture
Used for surface preparation
Removes machining marks

Brushing

Directional grain pattern
Used for aesthetic surfaces
Smooths visible areas

Coating

Paint finish for cosmetic parts
Clear coating for visible carbon
Protective layers for surface

Technical Specs

Composite Type	Composition	Density (g/cm³)	Tensile (MPa)	Key Properties	Common Uses
Carbon Fiber (CFRP)	Carbon + Epoxy	1.5-1.8	600-2,000	High strength, light weight	Aerospace, auto, sports
Glass Fiber (GFRP)	Glass + Polyester	1.8-2.0	200-400	Cost-effective, good strength	Enclosures, panels
Kevlar	Aramid + Epoxy	1.4-1.5	400-600	Impact resistance, durable	Ballistic, protection
Advanced	Carbon + PEEK	1.6-1.8	800-1,500	High temperature, aerospace	High-temp, aerospace

Parameter	Capability
Max Part Size (Milling)	2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm
Standard Tolerance	±0.02 – 0.05mm
Precision Tolerance	±0.01mm
Surface Finish (As-Machined)	Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm

FAQs

What are the challenges of machining composites?

Fiber abrasion quickly wears standard tooling, risk of delamination at edges, heat generation can damage the matrix, and fiber pull-out degrades surface finish. Specialized tooling is required.
What tooling is recommended for composite machining?

Diamond-coated or PCD tooling is recommended for wear resistance. Sharp cutting edges and proper chip evacuation are essential. Coatings like CVD diamond provide extended tool life.
What is the most commonly machined composite?

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer is the most common. It offers excellent strength-to-weight ratio and is used in aerospace, automotive, and sports applications.
What are the common applications of CNC composite machining?

Aerospace structural components, lightweight automotive parts, medical orthotics, sports equipment, and protective parts.
Can composites be machined on standard CNC equipment?

Yes, but specialized tooling and cutting conditions are required to prevent delamination, fiber pull-out, and tool wear.
What is the difference between carbon fiber and fiberglass composites?

Carbon fiber composites are stronger, stiffer, and lighter but more expensive. Fiberglass composites are cost-effective, with good strength and corrosion resistance.