Machining Brass

Is brass hard to machine? 

 Brass is one of the easiest materials to machine due to the combination of copper and zinc. As a machinable material, it does very well when used by precision brass components manufacturers and brass parts machinery. Regarding precision brass parts and what is machinable and what does that really mean is broad and does not have specific factors but is a combination of power requirements, the effect of tool wear and the surface finish desired. Like the song from the Pretenders, precision brass components manufacturers have that “Brass in Pocket” attitude. They know the brass parts components they manufacture are done with relative ease and high reliability and thus profitability. Industries using brass are numerous and cover a range of technologies including: 

• Automotive: Brass parts manufacturers have a long history of supporting the auto industry with components and trim work to give aesthetic appeal.  
• Thermal Heat Exchangers: Because of the excellent heat properties, brass parts manufactures can create the components needed like fins and tubes. 
• Architectural use: Brass parts machinery uses this shiny material for decorative details in buildings, interior spaces and for the automotive industry, brass can add aesthetic appeal to signage, trims, and many other accents. 
• Technical Instruments: Precision brass parts are used in various instruments for the characteristics of machinability and electrical conductivity. Brass parts components can be used in gauges, sensors and other precision demanded products. 
• Musical Instruments: Some music instruments are made of brass alloys like the Saxaphone, trombone, trumpet, French horn, and others. Drum cymbals can be made from brass alloys as well. 

 Precision brass parts manufacturers use numerous methods when creating brass parts components. An overview of these is CNC milling, CNC drilling, CNC turning CNC boring, laser cutting, waterjet and others. With its corrosion resistance coupled with thermal and electrical qualities, precision brass component manufactures have the tools available to produce your next project both efficiently and economically. 

 What is the process of manufacturing precision brass parts? 

Whatever is in our DNA that attracts us to shiny materials, I’ll never know. Although this does not hold true for everyone, it does for many of us. Shiny and decorative objects have that extra added value we give them. For metallic materials, gold of course has been part of our evolution for thousands of years. For brass, it is thought to have been produced accidentally several thousands of years ago. This combination of copper and zinc over the centuries was used for decorative containers and other ornate uses. It is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and has properties of corrosion resistance and good thermal and electrical properties. Still used widely in musical instruments and given musicians perhaps that little extra admiration as they play music and take us away for a time. Precision brass parts components will be found in other industries like the automotive, architectural, plumbing, thermal systems, and the fashion industry to name a few. Precision brass component manufacturers use many technologies to create brass parts for uses that we see every day and for more technical devices. Some of the technologies used to manufacture brass components are CNC drilling, CNC turning, CNC threading, casting, stamping, laser cutting, and waterjet technology. 

CNC technology has been around for over 60 years and encompasses multiple methods to produce brass parts components. Each method is used for the type of brass parts and machinery needed such as: 

• CNC Drilling: This technology will bore accurate holes in brass and other materials. It can drill through blocks and plates of brass. 
• CNC Turning: CNC turning uses lathes to create cylindrical shapes. Brass is a material that forms very well under this method. 
• CNC threading: Brass parts manufacturers can create screws out of brass. Much of these are made for household uses. 

 Metal Casting: One of the earliest developed methods, stamping has been around for thousands of years and is still used widely for many industries and products. In short, metal alloys like brass are heated to a molten state. This is then transferred to a hardened metal mold of the desired shape. Once cooled, the cast part is finished through other processes and finishings to create the final product. Examples include marine propellers, ball bearings, gears, plumbing fittings, valves, and bushings. 

 Stamping: Stamping is a manufacturing process that uses hardened steel “dies” that are pressed under high pressure onto a plate or sheet of raw material. In the case of brass parts and components, the dies will have been machined with the design of the intended geometry. When the die is locked into the “press”, the manufacturing begins. Many brass parts components like washers, zippers, buttons, monetary coins, and other 2D flat parts are made by stamping technology as this is often used for high production volumes. 

 Laser Cutting: Laser cutting technology shines at cutting thinner gauges of materials like brass into 2D profiles. Brass parts machinery is enhanced by the ability of laser technology in holding high precision tolerances and creating intricate designs. Though laser technology has numerous types, fiber laser and ultraviolet technology are used to cut precision brass parts for low to mid-level volumes. 

 Waterjet Cutting: This technology employs the use of high-pressure water and abrasive media like aluminum oxide that of forced under controlled high pressure through a nozzle, to cut through brass and other hard materials. Waterjet cutting is used in many cases to cut through thicker gauges of materials. 

 Brass parts machinery is produced in many ways for functional and decorative uses like doorknobs and architectural signage but also used for plumbing fittings, gears, and other industrial applications. Even for marine environment use because of its corrosion resistance but having a pleasing surface finish. Brass parts manufacturers each have their expertise to produce your next precision brass part or brass component from smaller production runs to high volume manufacturing. 

 What is the machining process for brass? 

 The decision to use a brass alloy means a project requires one or more of the following factors such as corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal transference, strength, cost effectiveness or a decorative gold like finish. Brass parts manufacturers use machining technology to produce precision brass parts and components out of this combination of copper and zinc. End products like gears, wall plates, bearings, screws, plumbing fittings, and products used in marine environments are made with brass parts machinery. The process for machining brass considers the characteristics of different brass types. Precision brass components manufacturers have experience in grades of brass such as C360, C230, and C220. Machined often by CNC technology, brass parts components are made with relative ease due to the machinability and malleability of this alloy.  These are some considerations that brass parts manufactures use on the different grades of brass: 

• C360 type: It is the most common material used for precision brass parts and has excellent strength and corrosion resistance and is very machinable. Brass precision parts produced for example would be brass machined screws, plumbing fittings, valves, shafts, electrical components. This type is not recommended for medical applications due to the lead content and can be susceptible to acids. 
• C230 type: This is called Nordic brass or Red Brass by precision brass components manufacturers. It has moderate strength and very good corrosion resistance properties. Precision brass parts made from this alloy would be good for harsh environments and made into screws, pipe fittings, nuts, bolts, valves, and other components for industries like plumbing, automotive and thermal applications.  
• C220 type: Sometimes called commercial bronze, C220 brass parts components are seen in numerous domestic applications like doorknobs, lighting fixtures, kick plates and others. It is also used in jewelry making, medals and medallions and other decorative purposes. 

 Products made of brass parts machinery will have a natural sheen and gold like appearance, but many will need to be finished to protect the surface and or enhance the overall final product. There are multiple methods used by precision brass components manufacturers to achieve this such as: 

• Electroplating: Brass parts can look even more brilliant and smooth by electroplating. This is an electro-chemical process and used on other metal alloys like copper, nickel, titanium, zinc and silver for example. 
• Powder coating: For a durable finish of brass parts components, powder coating is another method used. This technique can add a coloring pigment over the original surface to brass and other alloys. 
• Buffing and polishing: This can be a manual or machine-controlled process. A mirror like finish is seen many times on musical instruments and decorative hardware ware from lighting fixtures, door plates, and doorknobs for example. 
• Honing:  Brass parts manufacturers will use honing to create a uniform surface and can also refine areas of the produced part. These abrasive grinding stone wheels and other shapes are controlled precisely to alter an internal diameter or I.D or grind a surface with a resulting cross hatched finish.  

Historically brass does not have the fame attributed to other alloys like gold, silver, or bronze, though it was discovered about 5000 BC. Though not the first metal you might think of as a symbol of status, in ancient societies, it was revered for its ability to be made into jewelry, house goods, tools and other adornments. Its shiny gold like color made the wearer of brass stand out. Over the millennia, brass still has many uses and is cost effective compared to other alloys. Precision brass parts provide extended use of the product by being strong, durable and have that element of good looks too. When searching for your next precision brass components manufacturers rest assured there is technology available that is just right for the job.