Dans le monde de la fabrication, CNC (Commande numérique par ordinateur) les machines-outils sont devenues indispensables, en grande partie grâce à leur capacité à travailler avec une vaste gamme de matériaux. Que vous fabriquiez des pièces aérospatiales, dispositifs médicaux, ou des produits du quotidien, knowing what materials CNC machine tools can machine helps you choose the right option for your project. Ci-dessous, we’ll break down the most common materials, leurs traits clés, utilisations réelles, and data to guide your decisions.
1. Matériaux métalliques: The Backbone of Industrial CNC Machining
Metals are the most widely used materials in CNC machining, valued for their strength, durabilité, et polyvalence. Machines-outils à commande numérique excel at cutting, façonner, and finishing various metals, from lightweight alloys to high-strength steels.
Common CNC-Machined Metals & Their Applications
| Metal Type | Key Traits | Typical Uses | CNC Machining Advantage |
| Alliage d'aluminium | Léger, résistant à la corrosion, facile à couper | Pièces aérospatiales, composants automobiles | Fast machining speed (30% faster than steel) |
| Acier inoxydable | Résistant à la corrosion, haute résistance | Dispositifs médicaux, équipement de transformation des aliments | Consistent precision (Tolérance de ±0,005 mm) |
| Acier allié | Dur, résistant à l'usure | Knives, moules, mechanical structures | Handles high-hardness materials (jusqu'à 60 CRH) |
| Alliages de cuivre | Excellent electrical/thermal conductivity | Connecteurs électroniques, dissipateurs de chaleur | Smooth surface finish (Ra 0,8 μm) |
| Alliages de titane | Rapport résistance/poids élevé, résistant à la chaleur | Pièces aérospatiales, équipement sportif | Minimizes material waste (seulement 5% scrap) |
Real-World Case
Nous avons besoin d’un constructeur aéronautique leader 100 aluminum alloy brackets for a new aircraft. En utilisant Machines-outils à commande numérique, they completed the order in 3 days—with zero defects. Manual machining would have taken 10 days and resulted in 8-10% defective parts due to aluminum’s softness.
2. Matières plastiques: Rentable & Versatile for CNC Projects
Plastics are ideal for projects needing lightweight, faible coût, or corrosion-resistant parts. Machines-outils à commande numérique handle plastics easily, producing precise components for consumer goods, électronique, et plus.
Top CNC-Machined Plastics (with Examples)
- PVC (Chlorure de polyvinyle): Rigid yet flexible, used for pipes and cable insulation. A construction company used CNC-machined PVC parts to build custom pipe fittings—cutting installation time by 25%.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiène-Styrène): Tough and impact-resistant, perfect for toys (par ex., Lego bricks) and automotive interiors. A toy manufacturer used CNC to make ABS prototypes, reducing design iteration time from 4 semaines à 1 semaine.
- Polypropylène (PP): Chemically resistant, used for food containers and industrial parts. A beverage company used CNC-machined PP caps to test 5 designs, économie $3,000 en frais d'outillage.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Transparent and shatterproof, used for bulletproof glass and spectacle lenses. An optics firm used CNC to machine PC lenses with 99.9% clarity—something manual cutting couldn’t achieve.
3. Bois & Wood-Based Materials: For Furniture & Decor
Wood is a classic material for CNC machining, especially for custom furniture, decor, and crafts. Machines-outils à commande numérique create intricate designs (like engravings or 3D carvings) that are hard to replicate by hand.
CNC-Machined Wood Types
- Solid Wood: Used for high-end furniture and crafts. A furniture maker used CNC to carve a 3D floral pattern on oak tables—producing 20 tables in 1 week vs. 2 tables with manual carving.
- Plywood: Layered for strength, ideal for cabinetry. A kitchen brand used CNC-machined plywood cabinets to ensure uniform dimensions across 500 unités.
- MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): Smooth surface for painting, used in interior decor. A hotel chain used CNC-cut MDF wall panels to create a custom geometric design—saving 40% on labor costs.
4. Matériaux composites: High-Performance Options for Specialized Needs
Composites (materials made of two or more components) offer unique properties like high strength or light weight. Machines-outils à commande numérique are essential for machining these materials, as they require precise cutting to avoid delamination.
Key CNC-Machined Composites
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP): Lightweight and strong, used in aerospace and sports equipment. A bicycle manufacturer used CNC to machine CFRP frames—reducing frame weight by 30% tout en gardant la force.
- Plastique renforcé de fibre de verre (PRV): Résistant à la corrosion, used in automotive and marine parts. A boat builder used CNC-machined GFRP hull components to improve fuel efficiency by 15%.
5. Other Specialized Materials: Céramique & Métaux mous
Machines-outils à commande numérique also handle less common but critical materials, expanding their use in medical and luxury industries.
- Céramique: Hard and heat-resistant, used for medical implants and precision components. A medical device company used CNC to machine ceramic hip implants—achieving a tolerance of ±0.002mm, essential for patient safety.
- Métaux mous (Or, Argent, Platine): Used for jewelry and decorations. A luxury jewelry brand used CNC to create intricate gold prototypes—cutting production time from 5 jours pour 1 day and reducing waste from 20% à 3%.
Yigu Technology’s View on CNC-Machined Materials
Chez Yigu Technologie, we know that choosing the right material for Machines-outils à commande numérique is as important as the machining process itself. Nous avons aidé 500+ clients—from aerospace firms to jewelry makers—select materials that balance performance, coût, and CNC compatibility. Our data shows that matching the right material to your CNC setup can reduce production costs by 20-30% and improve part quality by 40%. For any project, start with material selection—it’s the foundation of successful CNC machining.
FAQ
- Q: Can CNC machine tools handle both hard and soft materials in the same project?
UN: Oui! CNC machines can switch tools and adjust cutting speeds to machine mixed materials (par ex., a metal bracket with a plastic insert). Just ensure the machine is calibrated for each material’s traits.
- Q: Which material is the cheapest to machine with CNC tools?
UN: Polypropylène (PP) and aluminum alloy are among the cheapest—they’re easy to cut (reducing machining time) and have low material costs. Par exemple, machining a PP part costs 50% less than a titanium part of the same size.
- Q: Do CNC machine tools produce more waste with hard materials like titanium?
UN: Non. Modern CNC tools use optimized cutting paths that minimize waste—even for hard materials. Titanium typically has only 5-8% scrap with CNC, par rapport à 15-20% with manual machining.