Aircraft Component Manufacturing

Custom Aircraft Precision Components

Drawing-based manufacturing of precision aircraft components in aluminum, titanium and stainless steel for brackets, housings, fittings, mounting interfaces and other custom mechanical parts.

CNC Milling & Turning 3 / 4 / 5-Axis Machining Aluminum / Titanium / Stainless Prototype to Repeat Production Dimensional Inspection & Documentation

Component Snapshot

Key parameters for custom aircraft component manufacturing — all subject to part geometry, material and project-specific review.

Component Type
Brackets, housings, fittings, mounts, precision hardware
Manufacturing
CNC milling / turning / multi-axis
Materials
Aluminum / titanium / stainless steel
Production
Prototype / small batch / repeat production
Geometry
Multi-face / complex contours / precision interfaces
Tolerance
Drawing and GD&T dependent
Finishing
Anodizing / passivation / blasting / polishing
Inspection
Dimensional inspection / CMM
Input
3D CAD + 2D drawing

Manufacturing since 1998. All capabilities subject to part geometry, material and project-specific review.

Aircraft Precision Components We Manufacture

Organized by component function — because the part type determines the machining strategy, critical features and inspection requirements.

01

Aircraft Mounting Brackets

  • Equipment brackets
  • Structural mounting brackets
  • Instrument brackets
  • Support brackets
02

Aircraft Housings & Covers

  • Instrument housings
  • Avionics-related housings
  • Protective covers
  • Machined enclosures
03

Precision Fittings

  • Adapters
  • Connectors
  • Mounting fittings
  • Mechanical interfaces
04

Shafts & Rotary Components

  • Precision shafts
  • Bushings
  • Spacers
  • Rotary interfaces
05

Structural Components

  • Lightweight machined supports
  • Frames / brackets
  • Equipment mounting components
06

Aerospace Ground / Test Equipment Parts

  • Fixtures
  • Test components
  • Ground-support equipment parts
  • Assembly tooling

Component Types and Critical Features

Each component category has distinct manufacturing priorities — this table maps part function to the features that matter most during machining and inspection.

ComponentTypical Critical FeaturesCommon MaterialsTypical Process
Mounting bracketHole position, flatness, profile6061-T6 / 7075-T63-axis / 5-axis milling
HousingWall thickness, sealing interface, threads6061-T6 / 7075-T64-axis / 5-axis milling
FittingThreads, bore, concentricity304 / 316L / Ti-6Al-4VCNC turning + milling
ShaftDiameter, runout, concentricity304 / 17-4PHCNC turning
Mounting plateHole pattern, datum relationships6061-T6 / 7075-T63-axis milling
Complex 5-axis partProfile, multi-face alignment, tool access7075-T6 / Ti-6Al-4V5-axis milling

Materials for Aircraft Precision Components

Material choice follows functional requirements — strength, weight, corrosion resistance and machinability all influence part design and manufacturing strategy.

Aluminum

6061-T6 / 7075-T6

  • Brackets and housings
  • Mounting components
  • Lightweight structural parts
  • Good machinability and anodizing response

Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V / Grade 5

  • High strength-to-weight components
  • Corrosion-sensitive applications
  • High-performance mechanical components
  • Requires dedicated cutting strategy

Stainless Steel

304 / 316L / 17-4PH

  • Fittings and hardware
  • Corrosion-sensitive components
  • High-strength interfaces
  • Controlled heat management during machining

Specialty aerospace materials (nickel alloys, selected superalloys) can require dedicated tooling, fixturing and process controls. Material availability and machining feasibility are reviewed case by case.

When Aircraft Components Benefit From 5-Axis CNC Machining

5-axis is not automatically better — it delivers value when part geometry genuinely requires multi-directional tool access.

1

Multiple Faces

Features on several surfaces can be accessed with fewer repositioning operations.

2

Angled Interfaces

Complex angled surfaces and holes may benefit from controlled tool orientation.

3

Deep Pockets

5-axis access can help when long-reach tools would otherwise be required.

4

Complex Contours

Curved and compound surfaces can be machined with appropriate tool orientation.

Design Considerations for Aircraft CNC Components

Good aircraft DFM catches issues before they become manufacturing problems — and before they affect delivery.

Datums
Define functional datums clearly — primary, secondary and tertiary references.
Hole Position
Mounting and alignment holes should be related to functional references.
Thin Walls
Thin sections may require careful workholding and machining sequence.
Deep Pockets
Pocket depth and corner radius influence cutter selection and rigidity.
Threads
Thread specification and engagement should be defined on the drawing.
GD&T
Use positional and form tolerances where functional relationships require them.

Lightweight Design for CNC Machined Aircraft Components

A key engineering goal in aircraft components is to reduce mass without compromising required stiffness or strength.

◆

Material Selection

◆

Pocketing

◆

Ribs

◆

Topology-Informed Geometry

◆

Controlled Wall Thickness

Material removal strategies can reduce weight in non-critical regions, but structural requirements and manufacturability must be considered together. Material selection, pocketing, ribs and controlled wall thickness are the primary levers — each with trade-offs between weight savings, machining cost and part rigidity.

When Aircraft Components Start as Forgings, Castings or Billets

Aircraft components are not always machined from solid billet — the starting form depends on the component, material and production route.

Billet / Forging / Casting

Starting material form

→

CNC Machining

Final functional features

→

Heat Treatment *

Where required by spec

→

Surface Treatment

Per material and application

→

Inspection

Dimensional & documentation

CNC machining may be used to produce the final functional features from a billet, forging or casting depending on the component and material route.

From Aircraft Drawing to Finished Component

Each step is a decision point that affects part quality, cost and delivery.

01

Drawing Review

CAD / 2D / material / tolerance / GD&T / quantity

02

DFM Review

Tool access / workholding / thin walls / pockets / datums

03

Manufacturing Route

Billet / forging / casting + CNC strategy

04

Machining

Milling / turning / 4-axis / 5-axis

05

Finishing

Anodizing / passivation / blasting / polishing

06

Inspection

Critical dimensions / GD&T / surface / documentation

07

Release

Inspection approval / packaging / shipment

Surface Finishing for Aircraft Components

Finish selection depends on alloy, application and environmental requirements — not every part needs every treatment.

Aluminum

Anodizing Hard Anodizing Bead Blasting Polishing Chem Film

Stainless Steel

Passivation Electropolishing Polishing Bead Blasting Brushing

Titanium

Bead Blasting Polishing Anodizing (Color) Passivation

Critical Features We Inspect

Aircraft component inspection focuses on the functional features that matter — not just dimensional compliance.

✓

Dimensions

✓

Position

✓

Flatness

✓

Profile

✓

Concentricity

✓

Runout

✓

Threads

✓

Surface Finish

Zeiss CMM probe inspecting a CNC machined aircraft aluminum bracket

Quality Documentation Available by Project Requirement

Documentation follows the part — from material verification through final release.

📄

Material Certificate

📄

Dimensional Inspection Report

📄

First Article Inspection (FAI)

📄

Certificate of Conformance

📄

Surface Treatment Record

📄

Traceability Documentation

Documentation is supplied where included in the project requirements. ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. Additional certifications are project-specific and reviewed per customer request.

Aircraft and Aerospace Applications

Organized by component role — because that is what determines manufacturing requirements.

⌃Aircraft Equipment Mounting 🔲Avionics-Related Components ⌄Airframe Support Hardware ◈Interior / Cabin Hardware ✦UAV / Drone Components ⧫Test & Ground-Support Equipment ◎Instrumentation Components ⌒Assembly Tooling

Aircraft Component Case Study

A representative component showing different material and geometry challenges in aircraft CNC manufacturing.

Representative Component

7075-T6 Precision Mounting Bracket

Material7075-T6 Aluminum
Manufacturing5-axis CNC milling
Key FeaturesMultiple angled faces, deep pockets, cross holes
5-Axis NeedFeatures on 4+ faces, limited tool access
Critical FeaturesHole position, flatness, datum relationships
TolerancePer drawing and GD&T callouts
Surface TreatmentClear anodizing
InspectionCMM / dimensional report

This is a representative component — not a specific customer project. Details vary per actual drawing and requirements.

What Determines the Cost of an Aircraft CNC Component?

A small aerospace component can still be expensive when it requires difficult 5-axis access, tight GD&T, expensive material or extensive inspection.

+ Material
+ Part Size
+ Machining Time
+ Number of Setups
+ 5-Axis Requirements
+ Tolerance / GD&T
+ Surface Treatment
+ Inspection
+ Quantity
Lead time is quoted after reviewing material availability, geometry, tooling/process requirements, quantity and inspection scope. A small aerospace component can still be expensive when it requires difficult 5-axis access, tight GD&T, expensive material or extensive inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of aircraft components can be CNC machined?
Mounting brackets, housings, covers, precision fittings, shafts, bushings, spacers, structural components and ground-support equipment parts can all be CNC machined. The key requirement is that the geometry is accessible to cutting tools and the material is machinable.
Which materials are commonly used for aircraft precision components?
Aluminum (6061-T6, 7075-T6), stainless steel (304, 316L, 17-4PH) and titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) are the most common. Material selection depends on the component's strength, weight, corrosion resistance and temperature requirements.
When is 5-axis CNC machining useful for aircraft parts?
5-axis CNC is valuable when a part has features on multiple faces, angled surfaces or deep pockets that would require repeated re-fixturing on a 3-axis machine. It reduces setups and simplifies access to complex geometry.
Can you machine 7075-T6 aluminum aircraft components?
Yes. 7075-T6 is one of the most commonly CNC machined aerospace aluminum alloys. It offers high strength and good machinability, suitable for structural brackets, housings and load-bearing components.
Can titanium aircraft components be CNC machined?
Yes. Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) is regularly CNC machined. Titanium requires controlled cutting speeds, positive tool engagement and effective coolant strategies due to its low thermal conductivity.
What information is required to quote a custom aircraft component?
A 3D CAD model, 2D engineering drawing, material grade, quantity, critical tolerances, GD&T requirements, surface finish, and any inspection or traceability requirements. The more complete the drawing package, the more accurately manufacturing feasibility and cost can be evaluated.
What inspection documents can be supplied?
Material certificates, dimensional inspection reports, FAI documentation, traceability records, surface treatment documentation and Certificate of Conformance — where included in project requirements.
Can you manufacture prototype and repeat-production aircraft components?
Yes. We support prototype quantities for design validation through repeat-production batches. Programming and fixturing costs are amortized over volume, making CNC machining increasingly cost-effective at higher quantities.
How are GD&T requirements handled for custom aircraft parts?
GD&T callouts on the drawing define the functional relationships we machine to and inspect against. Position, profile, flatness, perpendicularity, concentricity and runout are measured per drawing requirements using CMM where needed.
How do you review an aircraft component before CNC machining?
Review covers material availability, tool access to all features, workholding approach, thin-wall rigidity, pocket depth and corner radius, thread requirements, datum definition, and GD&T feasibility before programming begins.

Have an Aircraft Component to Manufacture?

Send your 3D CAD model, 2D drawing, material specification, quantity and critical requirements. We can review manufacturability, machining strategy, finishing and inspection requirements before quotation.

Request an Aircraft Component Review

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