With sufficient in-house capacity and rich experience of complicated machining, we’re professional to make your design ideas a reality with high accuracy and great appearance. Here is a case showing how a complicated part with o-ring groove completed at SuNPe.
1. Overview of the metal prototyping project
• Manufacturing process: CNC machining; EDM; Bead Blasting
• Material: Aluminum
• Lead time: 7 days
2. Manufacturing analysis of the design before production
Firstly, 5-axis machining is necessary to machine multiple faces. Secondly, there is a side hole with a depth of 254mm, which is too deep and thus there is a high risk of making it though considering using EDM. Lastly, it’s critical that the o-ring groove needs to be precisely located and to be smooth without any scratches or marks.
3. Make the part
3.1 Use 5-axis CNC machining to manufacture the overall characteristics
Basically, precision 5-axis CNC machining is necessary to fabricate the entire structure with multiple faces from an aluminum plate. The complex geometries on this part can be completed at a faster speed with fewer machine setups.
SuNPe can achieve the best tolerance of +/-0.01MM with 5-axis CNC machines from HAAS in the USA. By using such an advanced machine, we’re able to manufacture the o-ring groove to a tight tolerance of +/-0.02mm.
After machining, we use the pin gauge and caliper to inspect the o-ring grooves. The 3.18mm o-ring groove is actually measured 3.16mm, and the 3.3mm pin gauge can be fully put into the 3.3mm o-ring groove.
(Use pin gauge and caliper for dimensional measurement)
(Confirm the o-ring groove surface roughness)
3.2 Use EDM to fabricate the deep hole
The main processing challenge of this part is the side hole. It has a depth of 254mm. In this condition, Electrical discharge machining is considered to make the deep hole.
(Electrical discharge machining ability at SuNPe)
Use a round rod as a height gauge to measure the depth. The measured size is 253.95mm, a tolerance of -0.05mm.
3.3 Achieve a great appearance by bead blasting surface finish
Finally, to achieve a matte outlook as requested by the customer, bead blasting is recommended, with lower cost and faster lead time. We firstly mask the o-ring groove and thread hole to ensure the fit, and then sand blast the rest area.
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