Larger Billets For Express CNC Machining

Prototype Projects now offer two larger sizes of billet for Express CNC machining using their five-axis vertical machining centres (VMCs). After extensive trials, they are satisfied that their robots, Rocky and Apollo, can handle these billets reliably and efficiently while tending the VMCs.

With the robots loading billets, repositioning workpieces in the programmable vices and removing machined parts, the VMCs can work continuously and unattended. This helps us to meet the needs of customers for whom time is of the essence. Our Express production speed ships parts in just three working days, which can be advantageous for both prototype and end-use parts.

Larger billets
The larger of the two new billet sizes is 100 x 100 x 80 mm, while the other is 100 x 100 x 40 mm. We are continuing to offer the three existing billet sizes of 150 x 50 x 40 mm, 100 x 50 x 40 mm and 50 x 50 x 40 mm.

All of these billet sizes (or blanks) are available in the four materials we use for Express CNC machining, namely aluminium alloy grade 6082, black and natural acetal, and clear acrylic.

If you need parts CNC machined from other materials or billet sizes, we can do so – just not with our Express service. Depending on the requirements, we can offer our Standard CNC machining service, with parts shipped in seven working days, or the Economy service with parts shipped in 12 working days.

Finishing options
If you select one of the two larger billet sizes, the choice of finishes for CNC Express parts is the same as for the smaller sizes. Express CNC machined parts are deburred, cleaned and degreased. Vapour honing of aluminium and acetal parts cleans, degreases, and removes burrs and machining marks in a single process.

On the other hand, if you opt for either the Standard or Economy CNC machining service, there is a wider choice of finishes.

Furthermore, such parts can be machined from one of the five standard billet sizes or any other size provided it fits the machine bed (our VMC 600 has a maximum working envelope of 600 x 410 x 520 mm). The range of materials is also considerably broader for the Standard and Economy CNC machining services.

Benefits of bigger billets
Prior to introducing the larger billet sizes, we were occasionally unable to meet customers’ requirements for Express CNC machining because parts were simply too big. Now, with much larger billets available, we can meet far more urgent requirements for CNC machined parts.

In some cases, this means customers can use our Express service instead of our Standard service, so they benefit from a faster turnaround. In other cases, customers needing parts in a hurry are finding they can get them from Prototype Projects – and they no longer have to spend time requesting quotations from multiple machine shops.

Thanks to the new, larger billet sizes, we are another step closer to being a complete one-stop-shop for prototype and low-volume production parts.

For more information, visit https://www.prototypeprojects.com/.