Goldcattle, with 26 years in precision brass machining, specializes in custom CNC brass parts—covering plumbing fittings, electrical connectors, valve components, and instrument parts (C36000/C37700/C26000 brass alloys). Using advanced 3-axis to 5-axis CNC machining, we deliver ±0.005mm tolerance parts, backed by ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. From prototypes to 150,000+ units/month, our brass parts ensure excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and machinability for 65+ global clients in plumbing, electronics, and instrumentation industries.
Custom CNC Brass Parts Manufacturer

Core Processing Technologies: Engineering for Brass’s Unique Properties

Brass’s combination of machinability, conductivity, and corrosion resistance demands specialized techniques to maximize these advantages while maintaining precision. Goldcattle’s technologies optimize brass’s inherent properties for diverse industrial applications.

1. High-Speed CNC Milling for Brass

  • 5-axis brass machining: Shapes complex components like multi-port valve bodies and precision instrument housings, achieving ±0.003mm dimensional tolerance. A C36000 brass hydraulic manifold with 6 asymmetric ports maintained 0.002mm positional accuracy, ensuring leak-free performance at 100bar pressure.
  • High-speed spindle milling: 25,000 RPM spindles capitalize on brass’s excellent machinability, reducing cycle time by 40% compared to steel. A C26000 brass electrical connector with 0.3mm contact pins achieved 0.005mm pin spacing, ensuring reliable electrical conductivity.
  • Chip control systems: Specialized toolpaths and coolant delivery prevent stringy chips (common in brass machining) from 缠绕刀具，reducing downtime by 30%. A C37700 brass plumbing fitting with deep internal threads maintained consistent surface finish (Ra 0.8μm) across 100,000+ units.

2. Precision Turning & Threading for Brass

  • CNC turning with brass-specific inserts: Produces cylindrical brass parts (bushings, shafts) with ≤0.001mm concentricity and Ra 0.05μm surface finish. A 15mm diameter C36000 brass bearing sleeve achieved 0.002mm runout, reducing friction and extending service life by 50%.
  • Thread rolling for brass: Creates clean, strong threads (NPT/BSP/metric) with 6g tolerance, increasing thread strength by 25% compared to cut threads. A ½-inch C37700 brass pipe fitting with rolled threads withstood 500N torque without stripping, ensuring secure plumbing connections.
  • Live tooling integration: Combines turning and milling to produce complex brass parts (e.g., connectors with integrated flats and slots) in one setup, maintaining ±0.003mm tolerance across all features. A C26000 brass terminal block with 8 contact points achieved 0.002mm alignment, critical for electrical performance.

3. Surface Treatment & Enhancement for Brass

  • Electroless nickel plating: Applies uniform nickel coatings (5-20μm) to brass parts, enhancing corrosion resistance (1,000+ hours salt spray) while maintaining conductivity (≤10mΩ resistance). A C36000 brass marine fitting with 10μm nickel plating showed no corrosion after 2,000 hours of seawater exposure.
  • Tin plating: Creates solderable surfaces on brass electrical components, meeting ASTM B545 standards for electronics manufacturing. A C26000 brass connector with 5μm tin plating achieved 95% solder coverage, ensuring reliable electrical connections.
  • Polishing & buffing: Produces decorative finishes (Ra ≤0.02μm) on architectural brass parts, eliminating the need for post-machining plating. A C37700 brass fixture achieved mirror-like reflectivity, reducing finishing costs by 40%.

4. Dimensional Stability for Brass Parts

  • Temperature-controlled machining: Maintains workshop temperature at 22±1℃ to counteract brass’s moderate thermal expansion (19μm/m·℃), ensuring consistent dimensions (±0.002mm) across large production runs. A 300mm-long C36000 brass instrument panel maintained 0.01mm flatness, critical for optical alignment.
  • Stress relief annealing: Reduces residual stresses in complex brass parts via 200℃ heat treatment for 2 hours, minimizing post-machining deformation (≤0.005mm/m). A thin-walled C26000 brass sensor housing maintained dimensional stability after 500 thermal cycles (-40℃ to 85℃).

Material Expertise: Matching Brass Alloys to Application Needs

Brass alloys vary in strength, conductivity, and corrosion resistance—Goldcattle selects the optimal alloy for each application:
Brass Alloy
Key Properties
Application
Advantages
C36000 (Free-Cutting Brass)
345MPa tensile strength, 90% machinability rating
Plumbing fittings, electrical connectors
Fastest machining (30% faster than C26000); excellent for high-volume production.
C37700 (High-Lead Brass)
310MPa tensile strength, superior pressure tightness
Hydraulic valves, pressure fittings
Excellent for threaded components; maintains seal integrity at 200bar.
C26000 (Cartridge Brass)
370MPa tensile strength, 65% IACS conductivity
Electrical contacts, heat exchangers
Highest electrical conductivity among brasses; good formability for complex shapes.
C33000 (Low-Lead Brass)
320MPa tensile strength, RoHS compliance
Potable water fittings, food industry parts
Lead-free (≤0.25%); meets NSF/ANSI 61 for drinking water applications.

CNC Machined Brass Parts Manufacturing Process

  1. Design & DFM for Brass: Engineers optimize client 3D models (STEP/IGES) to leverage brass’s properties:
    • Wall thickness optimization (≥0.4mm) to prevent chip buildup in deep cavities
    • Thread design (60° included angle) to maximize sealing in plumbing applications
    • Feature integration (combining 2+ parts) to reduce assembly time
  1. Material procurement: Sources brass with certified alloy composition (e.g., 60% Cu/39% Zn for C36000) and consistent grain structure, ensuring uniform machinability.
  1. CNC machining for brass:
    • Roughing: High feed rates (2,000mm/min) with carbide inserts (0° rake angle) to remove 95% of material
    • Finishing: High RPM (15,000+) with PCD tools to achieve Ra 0.02μm surface finish and final tolerance
  1. Surface treatment & deburring:
    • Automated deburring (vibratory finishing) to remove burrs ≤0.01mm from intricate features
    • Plating (nickel/tin) or polishing per application requirements (e.g., tin plating for solderability)
  1. Quality validation:
    • CMM inspection (±0.001mm) for critical dimensions
    • Pressure testing (up to 300bar) for fluid-carrying components
    • Electrical conductivity testing (per ASTM B193) for electrical parts

CNC Machined Brass Parts Application Fields

  • Plumbing & fluid handling: C36000 brass pipe fittings (leak-proof at 100bar), C37700 valve cores (resistant to water hammer).
  • Electronics: C26000 brass connectors (65% IACS conductivity), C36000 terminal blocks (corrosion-resistant to humidity).
  • Instrumentation: C26000 brass sensor housings (dimensional stability ±0.002mm), C33000 pressure gauge components (lead-free for food industry).
  • Automotive: C36000 brass fuel line fittings (resistant to ethanol corrosion), C26000 brass heat exchanger tubes (excellent thermal conductivity).

Customization Capabilities: From Prototype to Mass Production

Brass’s versatility supports diverse customization needs—Goldcattle delivers scalable solutions:
  • Complex geometry machining: 5-axis technology produces brass parts with undercuts (up to 70°), internal channels (0.5mm diameter), and micro-features (0.1mm holes)—e.g., a C26000 brass microfluidic chip with 50μm channels for medical diagnostics.
  • Low-volume prototypes: 1-500 units in 1-2 days via high-speed machining, ideal for design validation (e.g., C33000 water fitting prototypes for plumbing startups).
  • High-volume production: 50,000-150,000+ units/month with automated cells—e.g., 100,000 C36000 brass electrical connectors with consistent 0.005mm pin spacing.

Common Processing Questions

  • Q: How to prevent brass parts from tarnishing during storage?
A: Apply a clear chromate conversion coating (per MIL-DTL-5541) to form a protective layer, preventing oxidation for 12+ months. C36000 brass parts treated this way showed no tarnish after 500 hours in 95% humidity.
  • Q: What’s the lead time for 100,000 C36000 brass plumbing fittings?
A: 3 days for tooling setup, 7 days for production—total 10 days. High-speed machining and automated cells enable 15,000+ units/day.
  • Q: Can brass parts replace copper in electrical applications?
A: Yes—C26000 brass (65% IACS conductivity) offers 90% of copper’s conductivity at 30% lower cost, with superior machinability. A C26000 brass busbar achieved 98% of the current-carrying capacity of a copper busbar.
  • Q: How to achieve leak-proof threads in brass plumbing fittings?
A: Rolled threads (vs. cut) ensure 100% thread engagement; 30° seat angles (per ASME B16.11) create metal-to-metal seals; and thread sealant grooves (0.2mm deep) enhance sealing with PTFE tape.

Need Custom CNC Machined Brass Parts?

Goldcattle specializes in unlocking brass’s potential for precision components requiring conductivity, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Our 26-year expertise ensures brass parts that meet your strictest tolerance and performance needs.
Upload your 3D models or specifications via our online form to receive a material recommendation, design optimization tips, and quote within 24 hours. Let’s turn your brass component designs into precision reality.
“Goldcattle’s C36000 brass connectors reduced our assembly time by 30%—their consistent 0.005mm pin spacing eliminated the need for manual adjustment, ensuring 100% first-pass yield in our electronics production line.” — Electronics Manufacturer Client

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