Brass CNC Machining

By Jeremy Losek, Jul 16th, 2024

Brass CNC Machining

What is Brass CNC Machining?
What are the Benefits of Brass in CNC Machining?
What are the types of Brass used in CNC Machining?
CNC Machining Services Offered by Fathom
CNC Machines Used by Fathom
Fathom’s Locations for CNC Machining Services
Brass CNC Machining FAQs

Fathom offers the CNC machining of high-quality bras parts for its customers. Using the latest CNC technology, Fathom can manufacture parts with excellent detail. Our experts have worked on thousands of CNC machined projects and are ready to work on your design today.

What is Brass CNC Machining? / /

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing method that utilizes pre-programmed software to guide the movement of equipment. CNC can use a single set of prompts to direct three-dimensional cutting tasks. There is no need for a live operator because the process is fully automated. Mills, grinders, lathes, and more can all be controlled using CNC technology. CNC machining is perfect for manufacturing solid raw materials, including brass. Brass is CNC machined for applications that require strength and corrosion resistance. Brass is considered a premium material, so optimizing its use as much as possible is important.

What are the Benefits of Brass in CNC Machining? / /

A copper-zinc alloy, brass has many beneficial features. Brass is strong, corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, and has lower friction. Brass offers good machinability and is thermally and electrically conductive. Brass is used to produce parts for various industries, including the marine industry.

What are the types of Brass used in CNC Machining? / /

Brass has excellent machinability. It is important to select the right grade of brass. Fathom’s selection of brass includes:

Admiralty Brass – C443:

Sometimes called arsenical brass, C443 is alloyed with zinc and tin. Admiralty brass C443 has excellent corrosion resistance and heat transfer characteristics. Common applications of admiralty brass include distiller tubes, condenser plates, architectural applications, or any parts that may encounter salt or fresh water.

Architectural Bronze – C385:

Often referred to as C385 brass, 385 bronze is alloyed with copper, lead, iron and trace amounts of zinc. Architectural bronze 385 offers long-term durability and excellent corrosion resistance. Applications of 385 brass include shower doors, elevator trim, funeral urns, drawer pulls, valves and gun sights.

Brass Plate / Leaded Muntz Metal – C365:

Brass plate C365 is made from copper, zinc, tin and lead. Leaded muntz metal C365 is highly machinable, strong and corrosion-resistant. Applications of brass plate C365 include parts for the shipbuilding industry, condenser plates, and architectural components.

Commercial Bronze – C220:

Bronze 220 is made from copper, zinc and tin. Commercial bronze has good formability, corrosion resistance, strength and excellent color. Applications of C220 include lighting fixtures, kickplates, jewelry, medals, hardware, marine hardware, etc.

Free Machining Brass – C360:

Free machining brass C360 is made from copper and lead. 360 brass is used to make bar and brass rod items, including machine parts, couplings, circuit boards, industrial hardware and plumbing products.

German Silver / Nickel Silver – C770:

German silver is not made of silver but from copper, zinc and alloyed nickel. 770 nickel has a silver-like look with excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. German silver is often used for decorative applications.

High Leaded Brass – Engravers’ Brass – C353:

High leaded brass is made from copper, zinc, lead and trace iron. Engravers’ brass is stiff, machinable, polishable, and good for soldering. Applications of high leaded brass include hardware, drawer handles, nuts, gears, signs and placards.

Low Leaded Brass – C330:

330 brass is made from copper, lead, iron and zinc. Low leaded brass 330 offers strength, corrosion resistance, and formability but is not recommended for welding. 330 brass is used to make tubing.

Naval Brass – C464:

Naval brass received its name for its common use in marine applications. Brass 464 offers excellent hardness, strength and corrosion resistance. It can be soldered and brazed. Fasteners, condenser tubes, cannons, and marine hardware are all made using brass 464.

Red Brass – C230:

Red brass is made from copper and zinc. 230 brass is strong, corrosion-resistant, and can be cold worked, brazed, soldered, and hot-formed. Red brass is used for decorative components, light fixtures, jewelry, sprinklers, and weather stripping.

CNC Machining Services Offered by Fathom / /

Work with Fathom on your next CNC machining job. Fathom offers many CNC services, including CNC 3 & 5 AXIS, CNC milling and turning, sinker EDM, wire EDM, Swiss machining and more. As part of our comprehensive services, we also offer finishing and post-processing. CNC machining is just one of 28 manufacturing services.

Additive Manufacturing

FDM
SLS
SLA
Polyjet
MJF
DMLS
DLS
STEP (Evolve)

CNC Machining

CNC (3 & 5 Axis)
CNC Lathe
Precision Grinding
Wire & Sinker EDM

Injection Molding

Injection Molding
Tooling
Compression Molding

Metal Cutting and Forming

Thermoforming
Sheet Metal Punching
Sheet Metal Cutting
Metal Forming
Laser Cutting
Water Jet Cutting
Chemical Etching
Welding
Micro Cutting

Standalone

Die Casting
Urethane Casting
Composite Layups
Extrusion
Post Processing & Finishing
- Pad Printing
- Powder Coating
- Bead Blasting
- Surface Grinding
- Polishing
- Anodize
- Powder Coat Passivate
- Chemfilm
- Vacuum Metallization
- Silkscreen
- Plating
- Tumbled

CNC Machines Used by Fathom / /

Fathom’s manufacturing facilities are powered by over 530 machines, including mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to metal prototype fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.

Fathom provides not just CNC machining but also hybridized services leveraging prototype fabrication and additive manufacturing. Need metal prototype fabrication as part of a more complex project? Fathom can handle it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:

Case Study //

Real Customers. Real Results.

A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.

20,000 Parts // Within 27 Days

15,000

55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts

First Article in 2 Weeks

3,000

3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts

2,000

2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts

Hybridized Services Used //

3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.

DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.

CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.

Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.

24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.

Injection + Compression Molding.

Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.

Advanced Project Management.

Fathom’s Locations for CNC Machining Services / /

CNC Milling Locations Nationwide

Fathom’s manufacturing network has nine locations across the United States with CNC capabilities. Our CNC locations are:

HEADQUARTERS
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR

ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

CALIFORNIA
620 3rd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified

MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304

TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016