AL6061 CNC Machining Services
AL6061-T6 and T651 milled and turned to ±0.02mm, with anodizing-ready surfaces and consistent temper verified on the mill certificate. Brackets, housings, heat sinks, fixtures and prototype frames, from a single piece to 10,000 pieces per release.
Free Consultation24h
Rapid Quote
1 pc
MOQ
±0.02mm
Dimensional Tolerance
Ra 1.6μm
As-Machined Finish
Materials
| Grade | Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| AL6061-T6 | Tensile strength 310 MPa, yield strength 276 MPa, hardness 95 HB, density 2.70 g/cm³, thermal conductivity 167 W/m·K, excellent machinability and anodizing response | Brackets, machine housings, heat sinks, fixture plates, automation frames, electronic enclosures |
| AL6061-T651 (Stretched Plate) | Same mechanical properties as T6, stress relieved by stretching after quenching, low residual stress so large plates stay flat when material is removed | Large base plates, vacuum chucks, optical mounts, tooling plates, wide thin panels |
| AL6061-O (Annealed) | Tensile strength 115 MPa, fully soft, high elongation, suited to forming before or after machining | Parts formed after machining, bent brackets, prototypes that need hand adjustment |
| AL6082-T6 | Tensile strength 310 MPa, similar strength to 6061 with slightly better corrosion resistance, common European grade, good extrudability | European drawing conversions, structural brackets, extrusions with machined features |
| AL6063-T5 | Tensile strength 186 MPa, smooth extruded surface, excellent finish quality, lower strength than 6061 | Visible frames, trim, rails, light-duty enclosures |
| AL7075-T6 | Tensile strength 572 MPa, hardness 150 HB, high strength to weight ratio, lower corrosion resistance and poor weldability compared with 6061 | Load-critical brackets, aerospace fittings, high-stress prototypes, mold tooling plates |
Process Parameters
| Parameter | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Dimensional Tolerance (Critical Features) | ±0.02 mm, ±0.01 mm on request |
| General Tolerance (ISO 2768-m) | ±0.1 mm |
| As-Machined Surface Roughness | Ra 1.6 μm, Ra 0.8 μm finish pass |
| Part Size (3-Axis Milling) | up to 1000 x 600 x 500 mm |
| Part Size (CNC Turning) | up to Ø400 x 800 mm |
| Spindle Speed | up to 15,000 rpm |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | 0.8 mm |
| Anodize Build Allowance | 5 - 25 μm (Type II) |
| Thread Range | M2 to M20, UNC/UNF |
| Material Stock | Extruded bar, rolled plate, T651 stretched plate |
Surface Finishes
Type II Anodizing
Sulfuric anodize at 5-25 μm in clear, black or dyed colours, sealed to close the pore structure. The film is hard enough for handling wear and electrically insulating, and 6061 takes dye evenly, which is why it is the most common finish for visible aluminum parts.
Type III Hard Anodizing
Thicker 25-50 μm coating with surface hardness around 400-500 HV for wear resistance on sliding and contact surfaces. Hard anodize darkens the base color and builds dimension, so masking and pre-machining allowance are planned at the DFM stage.
Chromate Conversion Coating
Chemical film 0.3-1 μm per MIL-DTL-5541 that keeps electrical conductivity and gives a short-term corrosion barrier. Used on aluminum chassis and waveguide parts where anodize would block grounding between mating components.
Bead Blasting
Glass bead blasting produces a uniform satin texture that removes tool marks and blends machined transitions before anodizing. It is often specified on visible covers where a consistent matte look matters more than a mirror surface.
Powder Coating
Thermoset film 60-90 μm with RAL colour matching for outdoor and industrial housings that need thicker protection than anodize. Applied after masking of threads, bores and grounding points.
Laser Marking and Engraving
Permanent part numbers, logos and scale marks applied by fibre laser after anodizing. Contrast comes from the anodize layer itself, so the marking does not rub off, and it replaces stickers that peel in service.
Deburr and Tumble Finish
Hand deburring of cross holes and edges plus vibratory tumbling for small parts, removing sharp edges that would otherwise cut assemblers or interfere with mating surfaces.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Keep walls at 0.8 mm or thicker; thinner sections deflect under cutting force and chatter on the finish pass
- Specify AL6061-T651 plate for large flat parts, since standard T6 plate can move when more than half the thickness is removed
- Use fillets of at least one third of pocket depth on internal corners to reduce end mill wear and stress
- Reserve 0.02 to 0.05 mm per surface for anodize build when a dimension is called out after coating
- Design flat datums and clamping bosses so fixturing repeats without indicating each part
- Avoid deep narrow slots below 1 mm width in 6061; the walls deflect and the cutter snaps
- Mask threads, bores and electrical contact faces before anodizing, or specify them as machined after coating
- Put cosmetic requirements on named surfaces only, since blasting and anodizing cannot hide deep tool marks
- Confirm temper on the mill certificate; 6061 sold as T6 from unknown stock may not reach 276 MPa yield
- Upload STEP or IGES files and get a free DFM report within 24h covering walls, datums, tolerance and finish sequence
Tooling & Capacity
| Type | Lead Time | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| No Tooling (Direct Machining) | 3 - 5 working days | 1 to 100 pcs, prototypes, design validation, bridge parts |
| Dedicated Fixture or Soft Jaw | 1 - 2 weeks | 100 to 10,000 pcs, repeat orders with stable geometry |
| Production Machining Cell | Integrated with order | 10,000+ pcs with pallet changer, annual frame agreements |
| Finishing Line (Anodize, Blast, Coat) | 3 - 6 days added | Visible parts needing colour, corrosion protection or wear resistance |
Quality Assurance
- Mill certificate checked on incoming stock for grade, temper and heat number
- EN 10204 3.1 material certificates are issued per batch on request
- Hardness spot check with a calibrated tester to confirm T6 temper on suspect lots
- First Article Inspection is reported with complete dimensional data against the 3D model
- CMM verification of true position, flatness and profile on critical features
- Surface roughness measured with a calibrated profilometer on sealing faces
- Anodize thickness verified by eddy current gauge at defined points after coating
- Production threads are verified with go and no-go thread gauges
- Third-party SGS, Bureau Veritas or TUV inspection is arranged on request for machined aluminium parts
- A dimensional report, material certificate and Certificate of Origin accompany every aluminium lot
Applications
- Automation and robotics brackets and mounting plates
- Electronics enclosures and chassis
- Heat sinks and thermal plates
- LED and lighting frames and housings
- Machine fixtures, jigs and gauge plates
- Automotive mounting brackets and sensor housings
- Instrument panels and control box fronts
- Vacuum and pneumatic manifold blocks
- Prototype frames and structural links
Why Choose FHY Precision
AL6061 in stock in bar and plate, so prototypes start cutting without a material wait
6061-T651 stretched plate kept for large flat parts that would otherwise distort
Tolerance of ±0.02mm proven with CMM data rather than a catalogue figure
Anodizing and blasting coordinated in the same schedule, with masking planned at DFM stage
Free DFM report within 24h covering walls, datums, tolerance and finish sequence
MOQ of 1 piece for design validation before any production commitment
Our quality system is documented and controlled, with third-party inspection and EN 10204 3.1 certificates available on request
In-house machining in China quoted at factory-direct rates
FAQ
1. What is the minimum order quantity for AL6061 machining?
MOQ is 1 piece. There is no tooling charge for CNC machining, so a prototype and a production part are quoted on the same basis. Most customers start with 1 to 20 pieces to check fit and finish, then scale to 500 or 5,000 pieces once the drawing is frozen and a fixture is in place.
2. Why choose 6061 over 7075 aluminum?
6061-T6 gives 310 MPa tensile strength with good corrosion resistance, weldability and anodizing response, which covers most brackets, housings and fixtures. 7075-T6 reaches 572 MPa but has lower corrosion resistance, does not anodize as evenly and is harder to weld. Use 7075 only where strength or weight is the limiting factor, such as aerospace fittings or high-stress prototypes.
3. What tolerance can you hold on aluminum parts?
Critical features are held to ±0.02 mm and ±0.01 mm is achievable on short bores and turned diameters. General dimensions follow ISO 2768-m at ±0.1 mm. Aluminum moves more than steel with temperature, so parts measured right after machining are allowed to stabilise before final inspection, and we report the stabilized values.
4. How much does anodizing change the dimensions?
Type II anodize builds about 5 to 25 μm and roughly half of that growth appears on each surface, so a 20 μm coating adds around 10 μm per side. Type III hard anodize at 25 to 50 μm adds more. We reserve 0.02 to 0.05 mm per surface where a coated dimension is critical, or mask the feature and machine it after coating.
5. How long does an AL6061 order take?
Prototypes and small batches ship in 3 to 5 working days after drawing approval. Anodizing, powder coating or blasting adds 3 to 6 days. Repeat orders with a dedicated fixture typically run 7 to 12 days for 1,000 to 5,000 pieces, and the quote states the delivery date rather than a range.
6. Do you supply mill certificates for 6061?
Every lot ships with a mill certificate showing grade, temper and heat number, and EN 10204 3.1 certificates are available on request. Temper matters as much as grade, since 6061 sold without a certificate may be T6 by label only. We also run a hardness spot check when the source is unfamiliar.
7. Is 6061 suitable for anodizing and powder coating?
Yes, and it takes both well. 6061 anodizes evenly with consistent dye uptake, which is why it dominates visible aluminum parts. For outdoor housings that need thicker protection than a 20 μm anodize layer, powder coating at 60 to 90 μm is the better choice. Threads and grounding faces are masked in both processes.
8. Can you machine thin walls without distortion?
Yes, down to 0.8 mm walls, provided the geometry allows progressive material removal and the part is supported during the finishing passes. Very thin sections are roughed with extra stock, stress relieved by a pause, then finished in light passes. Where a wall sits below 0.8 mm, the DFM report flags it before cutting.
9. What is the difference between 6061-T6 and 6061-T651?
Both reach the same strength, 310 MPa tensile and 276 MPa yield. T651 is quenched, then stretched to relieve residual stress before ageing, so large plates stay flat when material is removed. For base plates, vacuum chucks and wide thin panels we use T651; for parts cut from bar or small plate, T6 is sufficient and cheaper.
10. Can you machine 6082 instead of 6061?
Yes. 6082-T6 matches 6061-T6 at around 310 MPa and machines similarly, with slightly better corrosion resistance and better extrudability. Customers with European drawings often specify 6082, and we quote it at a similar price when bar or extrusion stock is available in the requested section.
11. Do you deburr and finish edges?
All machined parts are deburred by hand on cross holes, edges and thread entries, and small parts can be vibratory tumbled for a uniform edge break. Where a drawing calls a specific radius, we cut it rather than relying on hand work. Burrs that remain after anodize are much harder to remove, so deburring happens before coating.
12. How do you verify flatness on large aluminum plates?
Flatness is measured on a granite surface plate with a dial indicator or by CMM scan, after the part has stabilised at room temperature. For large plates we machine both faces in sequence, flip with equal stock removal, and use T651 stock so residual stress does not bow the part after the last pass. Results are reported as measured values.
13. What materials besides 6061 do you machine?
We also machine 6082, 6063, 7075 and 2024 aluminum, plus 1045 and 4140 steel, 304 and 316L stainless, 17-4PH, brass, copper and titanium. Mixed-material assemblies are quoted as one order so fits between aluminum and steel parts are checked together rather than at assembly.
14. Do you offer third-party inspection for aluminum parts?
Yes. SGS, Bureau Veritas or TUV can inspect at incoming material, in-process or pre-shipment stage. Anodize thickness, colour consistency and dimensional data are the usual checkpoints. The inspection is arranged on request and the report is sent with the shipment, so your customer sees a verification from an inspector we did not appoint.
15. How are aluminum parts packed for export?
Parts are wrapped individually in PE film where the anodized surface is visible, separated by foam or corrugated dividers, and packed in a double-wall carton with a desiccant bag. Sea freight adds an inner liner. Each carton carries a packing list and batch report, and pallets are strapped and corner protected for container loading.
16. What file formats and information do you need for a quote?
STEP or IGES for the 3D model, a 2D drawing or PDF with tolerances and finish callouts, the aluminum grade and temper, quantity per release, and the surface finish you want. If the drawing is incomplete we ask about function and propose tolerances for the features that matter. Quotes return within 24 hours on working days.