The #1 Best Expert Guide To Bronze CNC Machining Services

A Professional’s Full Guide To Bronze CNC Milling Services

A high-end, complex bronze CNC machining system in active milling process

Bronze is a staple in several key industries like marine, mechanical engineering, aerospace, and even music instrument manufacture. While traditional methods relied on skilled labor for cutting and shaping this precious metal commodity, artisans today turn to bronze CNC for more accurate, precise results.

What is Bronze CNC Machining?

CNC machining, with bronze, combines the craft of bronze cutting with strict computerized systems for a cut closer to the defined measurements and shapes. The CNC in the term stands for Computer Numerical Control, whereby computer-controlled, flexible cutting mills create replicates of even the most complex shapes with high precision in a short span of time.

CNC for metal cutting became the standard as a way to optimize manufacturing and reduce raw material waste as a result of human error. Cutting bronze with the CNC method also ensures uniformity of size and weight between cut pieces – an especially important factor in shipbuilding and aerospace manufacture.

What Are The CNC Machine Types For Bronze?

Contrary to common belief, not all CNC bronze mills are laser cutters. The CNC programming control can be linked to various other cutting machines, often using WiFi, Ethernet, or USB connections. Some common CNC cutters for bronze include :

CNC Milling Machines (3-Axis and 5-Axis)

Fine tunes bronze cuts using rotary cutters. These machines are made up of end mills, ball nose cutters, and face mills of high-quality, sturdy carbide and cubic boron nitride (CBN) running at spindle speeds under 3000 RPM for a clean bronze cut.

For more complex designs, bronze workers usually use a machine with more workable axes or robotic arms to facilitate clean and precise cutting.

CNC Router with High-Speed Spindles

Common in bronze engraving, shallow carving, and sign-making, these CAD/CAM-assisted machines dictate tooling spindles to run at 10,000–24,000 RPM for light, precise cuts. While the router itself doesn’t come fitted with cutting equipment, common cutters used with a CNC router for bronze include :

·       Single-Flute Upcut Mill – Makes precise, light cuts and can be adjusted for even deeper engraving. Its unidirectional cutting rotation effectively ejects cut metal chips without burring or heat buildup, not just in bronze but also other soft metals.

·       Diamond-Cut Burrs – These criss-cross cutters are used for bronze texturing or any sort of surface carving. Made from ultra-hard carbide, the double-helix cross-flutes helps reduce burrs, chatter, gouging, smears, and edge deformation, for a smooth, polished texturing of your final bronze pieces.

·       Coated Carbide End Mills – Built with strong, sturdy micron grain tungsten carbide, these PVD or CVD coated cutters cut through bronze with high precision while avoiding deformation and smearing. Its ability to withstand high temperatures is also a plus, since bronze tends to harden and gall.

·       High-Helix End Mills – These helix, ultra-fine grain tungsten carbide cutters are angled at anywhere between 40°–60° for cleaner cutting at high speeds without too much force. These machines run at 6,000–18,000+ RPM, evacuating bronze chips efficiently without overheating, sustaining repeated cutting processes.

High-Definition CNC Plasma Cutter

This computer-assisted bronze milling tool uses plasma beams at 20,000°C to cut bronze sheets and blocks by way of melting them at precise measurements. The CNC system dictates the torch height control (THC) to adjust and define cutting depth based on the required design or measurements.

The smaller kerf, specifiable arc height/voltage, and advanced motion control allows for finer tolerances and sharper corners in bronze machining, with minimal dross. Often, these cutters are used in sculpting, plaque manufacture, aerospace/shipping structural parts, and finer designs.

CNC Waterjet Cutter (Abrasive Waterjet)

This non-thermal CNC machining for bronze method allows precision shaping of bronze without altering its material properties. Jets of water mixed with 80-mesh garnet abrasive at pressures up to 60,000 PSI slice through bronze pieces, shaping and trimming them as they move along.

The waterjet can cut through bronze up to 100 mm thickness with ±0.1 mm accuracy. Artisans often use this method when dealing with bronze articles where thermal deformation must be avoided. Common applications include structural part production, plaque design, and metal artworks.

CNC Lathe (Turning Center)

This upright bronze miller is commonly used in the production of cylindrical bronze products like threaded fittings, bushings, valve seats, and ornamental cutting of standing artwork. The tooling spindles are made from C5–C6 grade carbide inserts – coated or uncoated – depending on your project.

Spindles move at speeds of 100–300 m/min to inflict 0.25–3 mm cuts on your bronze surfaces. More modern builds not just cut but also mill, drill, and tap, to produce more varied shaping with a clean finish. Some turning centers can even perform live tooling and offer multi-axial bronze machining.

How Much Does Bronze CNC Machining Cost?

Alt: Bronze CNC milling in process to create a functional industrial product

Your local bronze machine shop would charge based on the tools used as well as the intricacy of your cut or design. There’s also the matter of feed rate limitation, which varies from machine to machine depending on their cutting systems. Cost can also vary depending on your bronze sheet/block sizes as well.

As a general rule, the average costs of common bronze CNC services range between $50–$250/hr. The table below shows a breakdown by specific CNC machining processes :

CNC Bronze Service : The Cutting-Edge Tool For Bronze Artisans

With bronze, the CNC machining process involves many complex, intricate, and precise computerized systems that facilitate more precise bronze milling, even for the most convoluted of designs. While these systems do come with a hefty price tag, they become a returning investment, especially when you’re in the machining business full-time.

If you’re looking for a one-off CNC service for your bronze projects,get in touch with us at 91mns and we’ll walk you through your options at your desired budgets.