Aluminum - Shapeways

Aluminum

CNC

CNC Aluminum, also known as Milled Aluminum, Machined Aluminium, CNC Aluminum, Aluminium Machining

Material Info

About

CNC Aluminum is a precision-machined metal available in three structural grades, produced using multi-axis CNC milling from certified aluminum stock. It delivers tight dimensional tolerances, excellent surface quality, and the full mechanical properties of the alloy — making it the right choice for functional prototypes, end-use parts, jigs and fixtures, and structural components where dimensional accuracy and material integrity are non-negotiable. Available with a range of surface finishes including anodizing and powder coating.

For grade selection advice or finish questions, reach out to sales@shapeways.com.

For a full grade comparison, download the Grade Overview Sheet.

Grade Alloy Tensile Strength Yield Strength Corrosion Resistance Weldability Primary Use
5083 AlMg4,5Mn 270–350 MPa 125 MPa Excellent Excellent Marine, offshore, cryogenic
6082 AlMgSi1 310 MPa min 260 MPa Good Good General structural, transport
7075 AlZnMgCu1,5 503 MPa min 435 MPa Low — anodize recommended Not recommended Aerospace, defense, high-load

Color & Finishes

5083, 6082, 7075

SIlver

5083, 6082, 7075

Black

5083, 6082

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As-Machined

Our standard finish, direct from the cutting tool with a clean machined surface at Ra 3.2 μm.

Anodized

A Type II anodized finish that adds a clear protective oxide layer, improving corrosion resistance and surface hardness — available in natural (clear/silver) and black.

Powder Coating

A durable polymer coating cured in an oven, available in any RAL colour — specify your required colour in the order notes.

Fine Machined Finish

A finer surface finish of Ra 1.6 μm is readily available on request — add your required Ra value and the surfaces it applies to in the order notes.

Technology

SW_MPS_AL_5083 SW_MPS_AL_6082 SW_MPS_AL_7075 SW_MPS_AL_Summary SW_REF_CNC_Tolerances_mK

Material Properties

Description

Material Highlights

High-strength precision-machined aluminum in three grades, covering marine through aerospace applications.

Corrosion Resistance

5083: Excellent · 6082: Good · 7075: Low (anodizing recommended)

Weldability

5083 & 6082: MIG/TIG weldable · 7075: Not suitable for fusion welding

Applications

Marine structures, transport, aerospace components, defence, precision tooling, industrial fixtures.

Design Guidelines

Bounding Box

Maximum Bounding Box 3-axe: 480 x 280 x 80mm

5-axe: 480 x 180x 80mm

Minimum Bounding Box X + Y + Z > 12 mm

The bounding box is a 3D imaginary outline of a box that encloses the smallest area occupied by your model. Your model must be within the minimum and maximum bounding box sizes. If the size of the model is close to the maximum bounding box, then the printing orientation will be restricted.

Walls

Supported Walls

Minimum wall thickness: 0.8 mm. Recommended: 1.5 mm or greater.

Unsupported Walls Minimum wall thickness: 1.5 mm. Recommended: 2.5 mm or greater.

A supported wall is connected at least on two sides of the wall, while an unsupported wall is connected only on one side of the wall. Walls that do not meet the minimum requirements may not survive printing and cleaning processes. Additionally, models may still be rejected based on the wall geometry of the model. Please consider the size of your model and reinforce the walls or add support structures as needed as minimum guidelines will not always be adequate for large models.

Wires

Supported Wires

Minimum feature width: 0.8 mm. Recommended: 1.5 mm or greater.

Unsupported Wires

Minimum feature width: 1.5 mm. Recommended: 2.0 mm or greater.

A wire is a circular, rectangular or even triangular feature that is thinner in its unconnected directions than its length. A supported wire is connected at least on two sides of the model, while an unsupported wire is connected on one side of the model. Wires that do not meet the minimum requirements may not survive printing and cleaning processes. Additionally, models may still be rejected based on the wire geometry of the model. Please consider the size of your model and reinforce the wires or add support structures as needed as minimum guidelines will not always be adequate for large models.

Clearance

Minimum

Minimum clearance between separate features: 0.2 mm. For assemblies or press-fit features, specify the required fit class (e.g. H7/h6) in your technical drawing.

Clearance is the space between two individual parts in a model. If the space among the individual parts do not meet the minimum clearance, then parts can fuse together or can be difficult to clean. This is important for movable pieces like hinges, gears, etc.

Interlocking & Enclosed Parts

Interlocking No

Enclosed No

Parts in File

1

Accuracy

Where no tolerance is specified, parts are manufactured to DIN ISO 2768-mK (fine class general tolerances) as standard — see our CNC Tolerance Reference Sheet for full details. For tighter or specific tolerances, attach a technical drawing with the required tolerances clearly called out

Related Materials

Strong and Rigid, Engineering Plastic, CNC Machined, POM-C, Polyoxymethylene (Acetal), Delrin®

POM-C

Professional Smooth Finish

High Strength, Durability

Chemical resistance

Low moisture absorption

High Accuracy

Application: POM-C is a popular choice for gears, jigs, fixtures, bushings, enclosures, and sliding parts, especially where wear-resistance, tight tolerances, and moisture insensitivity are key.

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CNC Stainless Steel, also known as Machined Stainless, Milled Stainless Steel, AISI 304, AISI 316L, EN 1.4301, EN 1.4404, RVS, SS304, SS316L

Stainless Steel

High Strength, Durability

High ductility

Very high stiffness

High Accuracy

Application: Functional parts, structural components, marine hardware, food processing equipment, pharmaceutical machinery, medical devices, chemical processing, architectural components.

Learn More →