Mastering CNC Copper Machining with Shapeoko: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

Copper, known for its excellent electrical conductivity and thermal properties, is a popular material in various industries, including electronics, automotive, and telecommunication. Machining copper on a CNC router like Shapeoko can be a bit challenging due to its soft and ductile nature. However, with the right tips, tricks, and techniques, you can master the art of CNC copper machining with Shapeoko.

In this blog post, we will discuss some key factors to consider when working with copper on a Shapeoko CNC router, as well as share some valuable tips to help you achieve the best possible results.

Understanding Copper's Unique Properties

Before diving into the machining process, it's crucial to understand copper's unique properties. Copper tends to be soft and ductile, which can lead to burrs, chip welding, and tool wear. To minimize these issues, consider the following tips:

1. Choose the right tool:Carbide end mills are a good choice for copper machining, as they offer better wear resistance than high-speed steel (HSS) tools. Additionally, a single-flute or two-flute end mill with a large chip pocket can help prevent chip welding.

2. Opt for a coated tool:Using a coated end mill can further enhance tool life and reduce the risk of chip welding. A coating like TiN, TiCN, or AlTiN can provide a layer of protection against the abrasive nature of copper.

3. Adjust cutting parameters:To minimize tool wear and prevent chip welding, use lower speeds and feeds when machining copper. A slower spindle speed and a higher feed rate can help reduce heat buildup and prevent chip welding.

Preparing Your Shapeoko for Copper Machining

CNC Copper Machining

CNC Machining Copper Material is good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, it is soft and good for machining as it has high plasticity, it is easily and rapidly to carry out desired shape as machining cutter can run faster than other steel materials, and also reach high precision.

Copper has a shiny reddish-orange finish, which varies slightly based on the surface finish method. Copper can be media-blasted and polished to achieve many different cosmetic surface finishes.

CNC Machining Copper Parts are widely used in the manufacture of electrical wires, cables, electric brushes, electric spark, and other electrical devices and products.

Benefits of CNC Copper Machining

1/ CNC Machining Copper Parts are excellent in electricity conductivity, supporting very good electric function

2/ CNC Machining Copper Parts are soft, easy to design into different shape, also suitable for many processes

3/ Copper is easy for cutting and machining, its production efficiency is much higher than steel series

4/ Good propriety for bending and shaping

5/ Heat transferring function very good, high resistance, temperature stability, long durable using

6/ Stable surface, non-surface treatment is durable, electroplating is also used on copper parts

Composition And Property of CNC Machining Copper

Copper Property	Alloy Type	Content	Melting Point	Hardness	Tensile Strength	Density
Copper Property	Cu-based	Zn, Sn, Si, Al, Ni	1083°C	HB35-45	Low	8.9 g/cm3

Common Materials Code of CNC Machining Copper

Copper Alloy	Workable Processes	Surface Finishing for Copper Parts	Materials Code
	CNC Turning, CNC Milling, CNC Drilling, Molding, Forging, Fabrication, Welding, etc.	Passivation, Anodizing, Plating, Chemical Polishing, etc.	Copper 110
			Copper 101
			Copper 145
			other more Copper Alloy

Asianstar: Professional CNC Machining Supplier

From year of 2005, Asianstar Company establish the CNC Machining Factory in Guangdong Province, China.
We mostly provide CNC Turning, Milling, Drilling, Grinding, and Multi Machining processes service on various materials.
With the Belief of becoming a key supplier in the supply-chain of Precision Components, we strictly control our product quality, keep high precision on our components production, buildup the whole-process QC System and submit the satisfaction for every order.
By long term development, we have buildup partnership with world-wide clients, supporting our partners in Designing, Optimizing, Producing and Testing on each type of components.

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