Aerospace CNC Manufacturing

Custom CNC Machined Aerospace Parts & Components

Drawing-based CNC manufacturing for aerospace brackets, housings, fittings, structural components and other precision parts in aluminum, stainless steel, titanium and selected engineering materials.

3 / 4 / 5-axis CNC machining Aluminum / stainless / titanium Prototype to repeat production Dimensional inspection & documentation
Custom CNC machined aerospace parts — 7075-T6 aluminum bracket, titanium fitting, and stainless steel mounting component

Capability Snapshot

MachiningCNC milling / turning / multi-axis
MaterialsAluminum / stainless steel / titanium / selected alloys
Part TypesBrackets / housings / fittings / structural parts
ProductionPrototype / low volume / repeat batches
InputSTEP / IGES / SolidWorks / 2D drawings
InspectionCMM / dimensional reports
FinishingAnodizing / passivation / blasting / polishing
Quality SystemISO 9001:2015

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

CNC Aerospace Components We Manufacture

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

⌃

Structural Brackets

  • Mounting brackets
  • Support brackets
  • Equipment brackets
  • Structural interfaces
🔲

Housings & Enclosures

  • Sensor housings
  • Instrument housings
  • Protective covers
  • Equipment enclosures
⧫

Precision Fittings

  • Adapters
  • Connectors
  • Mounting fittings
  • Mechanical interfaces
◈

Machined Bodies / Blocks

  • Valve bodies
  • Manifolds
  • Mechanical blocks
  • Fluid-handling components
✥

Rotary / Complex Components

  • Impellers
  • Complex shafts
  • Rotor-related components
⌄

Assembly Components

  • Clamps
  • Spacers
  • Retainers
  • Precision mounting components

Part Type & Critical Features

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

Part TypeCritical Features
Structural bracketHole position, flatness, profile
HousingWall thickness, sealing interfaces, threads
FittingThreads, bores, concentricity
ManifoldInternal channels, ports, flatness
Mounting plateHole pattern, datum relationships
Complex 5-axis partMulti-face access, profile, tool reach

Aerospace Materials for CNC Machining

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

Aluminum

6061-T6 / 7075-T6

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

Stainless Steel

304 / 316L / 17-4PH

  • Corrosion-sensitive components
  • Fittings and hardware
  • Industrial aerospace support components
  • Requires controlled heat management during machining

Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V / Grade 5

  • High strength-to-weight requirements
  • Complex precision components
  • Low thermal conductivity — requires dedicated cutting strategy
  • Positive tool engagement and effective coolant critical

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

When Aerospace Parts Benefit From 5-Axis CNC

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

01

Multiple Faces

Features on several faces can be accessed without repeatedly re-fixturing the part.

02

Angled Surfaces

Complex contours and angled interfaces can benefit from controlled tool orientation.

03

Reduced Setups

Fewer setups can simplify datum relationships and reduce repositioning operations.

04

Complex Aerospace Geometry

Deep pockets, curved surfaces, compound angles and difficult tool access.

GD&T and Critical Feature Control

Aerospace buyers often care more about relationships between functional features than about an isolated dimensional tolerance.

⌖

True Position

⏥

Flatness

∥

Parallelism

⊥

Perpendicularity

◎

Concentricity

⌒

Profile

↗

Runout

Design Review for CNC Aerospace Parts

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

Datums

Clearly defined primary, secondary and tertiary datums.

Hole Patterns

Hole location and orientation tied to functional references.

Thin Walls

Thin sections require attention to rigidity, workholding and machining sequence.

Pockets

Pocket depth, corner radius and tool reach affect machinability.

Threads

Thread type, class and engagement should be defined on the drawing.

GD&T

Position, profile, flatness and concentricity specified only where function requires.

Tolerance & Dimensional Control

Aerospace parts are manufactured to drawing specifications — not to a single blanket tolerance number.

General dimensionsAccording to drawing and GD&T requirements
Typical precisionUp to ±0.005 mm, subject to material, geometry, size, fixturing and inspection method
GD&T featuresPosition, profile, flatness, perpendicularity — per drawing callouts
Inspection methodCMM measurement against drawing requirements
Where suitable for the feature and process, typical precision can reach ±0.005 mm. This is not a universal guarantee — it depends on material, geometry, size, fixturing and inspection method.

Aerospace CNC Machining Process

From CAD model to inspected component — each step is a decision point that affects part quality and delivery.

Step 01

CAD Review

Geometry + material + tolerance + quantity

Step 02

DFM Review

Tool access + workholding + critical features

Step 03

CAM Programming

Toolpath + cutting strategy + finishing

Step 04

CNC Machining

Roughing + semi-finishing + finishing

Step 05

Surface Treatment

Anodizing / passivation / blasting / polishing

Step 06

Inspection

CMM / dimensional / FAI per drawing

Quality Control for Aerospace CNC Parts

Quality documentation follows the part — from incoming material verification through final inspection and shipping.

Incoming Material Verification→ In-Process Inspection→ CMM Measurement→ Final Inspection
📋

Material Certificates

📏

Dimensional Reports

📐

FAI Where Required

🔍

Traceability Records

📄

Surface Treatment Docs

✓

Certificate of Conformance

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.
Zeiss CMM probe inspecting a CNC machined aerospace aluminum bracket

Surface Treatments for Aerospace 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

From Aerospace Prototype to Repeat Production

Aerospace development typically moves through validation stages — each with different quantity and documentation requirements.

01

CAD / Drawing

02

DFM Review

03

Prototype

04

Dimensional Validation

05

Design Revision

06

Pilot Batch

07

Repeat Production

Typical Aerospace Component Applications

Organized by component role — not by aircraft system — because that is what determines manufacturing requirements.

⌃

Airframe Support Components

🔲

Avionics Equipment Housings

⌄

Mounting Brackets

◈

Ground-Support Equipment

✦

UAV / Drone Structural Parts

⌒

Aerospace Test Fixtures

◎

Instrumentation Components

⧫

Aircraft Interior Hardware

Aerospace CNC Part Case Studies

Representative projects showing different material and geometry challenges in aerospace CNC manufacturing.

Aluminum

7075-T6 Structural Bracket

Material7075-T6
Process5-axis CNC milling
GeometryMultiple angled faces, deep pockets, cross holes
5-Axis NeedFeatures on 4+ faces, limited tool access
Critical FeaturesHole position, flatness, datum relationships
Surface TreatmentClear anodizing
InspectionCMM / dimensional report
Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V Precision Fitting

MaterialTi-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
Process4-axis CNC milling + turning
GeometryPrecision bores, threads, contoured surfaces
ChallengeLow thermal conductivity, tool wear, chip control
Critical FeaturesThread class, concentricity, surface profile
Surface TreatmentBead blast + passivation
InspectionCMM / FAI / material certificate

What We Need to Quote an Aerospace CNC Part

The more complete the drawing package, the more accurately manufacturing feasibility and cost can be evaluated.

✓

3D CAD model

✓

2D engineering drawing

✓

Material grade

✓

Annual / batch quantity

✓

Critical tolerances

✓

GD&T requirements

✓

Surface finish

✓

Surface treatment

✓

Inspection requirements

✓

Packaging / traceability

The more complete the drawing package, the more accurately manufacturing feasibility and cost can be evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aerospace parts can be CNC machined?
Brackets, housings, fittings, manifolds, mounting plates, structural components, sensor enclosures and complex multi-face parts can all be CNC machined. The key requirement is that the geometry is accessible to cutting tools and the material is machinable.
What materials are commonly used for CNC aerospace parts?
Aluminum (6061-T6, 7075-T6), stainless steel (304, 316L, 17-4PH) and titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) are the most common. Material selection depends on strength, weight, corrosion resistance and temperature requirements of the specific application.
Can 7075-T6 aluminum be CNC machined for aerospace applications?
Yes. 7075-T6 is one of the most commonly CNC machined aerospace aluminum alloys. It offers high strength and good machinability, making it suitable for structural brackets, housings and load-bearing components.
Can titanium aerospace parts 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 and tendency toward work hardening.
When is 5-axis CNC useful for aerospace components?
5-axis CNC is valuable when a part has features on multiple faces, angled surfaces, compound contours or deep pockets that would require repeated re-fixturing on a 3-axis machine. It reduces setups and simplifies access to complex geometry.
What tolerances can you achieve on aerospace CNC parts?
Critical dimensions are manufactured to customer drawings and GD&T requirements. Where suitable for the feature and process, typical precision can reach ±0.005 mm, subject to material, geometry, size, fixturing and inspection method.
Can you provide CMM inspection reports?
Yes. CMM measurement and dimensional reports are available. First Article Inspection is performed where required, and inspection results are documented per project requirements.
What quality documents can be supplied?
Material certificates, inspection reports, FAI documentation, dimensional reports, traceability records, surface treatment documentation and Certificate of Conformance — where included in project requirements.
Can you manufacture prototypes and repeat production?
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.
What files are required for an aerospace CNC quote?
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.

Have an Aerospace Part for CNC Machining?

Send your 3D CAD model, 2D drawing, material specification and quantity. We will review tool access, workholding, critical features, GD&T, surface treatment and inspection requirements before quotation.

Request an Aerospace Part Review

Recommended Reading