Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate Machining
A Guide to aluminium cast tooling plate CNC Machined Parts: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations
What is Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate?
As the name implies aluminium cast tooling plate is manufactured using a casting process, giving the material a fine granular structure. The plate’s two main faces have a machined finish to Ra 0.4 - 0.8 ųm, typically protected with thin polycoat film.
Cast tooling plate is most commonly available in the UK in subtly different 5000 series aluminium grades. However cast tooling plate is also available in both 6000 and 7000 series aluminium, although this is not readily available in the UK.
Conventional aluminium plate is manufactured from forged wrought ingots rolled to size and heat treated. Cast aluminium tooling plate is manufactured close to finish thickness by a horizontal continuous aluminium flow casting process delivering a uniform fine grain structure. The cast plate is then heat treated above 370°C for close to 10 hours to fully anneal (stress relieve) to remove any manufacturing stresses. The cast plate is then lightly machined to its finished size and protective films applied.
Main Attributes of Cast Aluminium Tooling Plate:
- Uniform fine grain structure
- Very low porosity
- Good tensile strength
- Good ductility
- Stress free condition similar to condition “0” temper wrought plate
- Ra 0.4 - 0.8 ųm finish to main faces, typically protected with thin polycoat film
- Very good flatness, typically 0.15 - 0.5 mm dependant on area of plate
- Very good machinability
- Excellent dimensional stability even when heavily machined
- Excellent base material to start machining manufacture
- Excellent mechanical and dimensional stability when repeatedly heated and cooled in its application of use
- Annealing after machining is not required
- Good polishing characteristics
- Good anodising and hard anodising properties
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Very good weldability
TOOLING PLATE MACHINING QUOTE
Detailed information about Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate for designers including UK stock sizes and technical properties can be found in the tabs below. Please note: this information is provided as a guide only. All information is based on our present knowledge and is given in good faith. No liability will be accepted by Penta Precision in respect of any action taken by any third party in reliance thereon.
Similar or obsolete designation and trade names
5000 Series Cast Tooling Plates:
- ACP5080
- ACP5080R
- ACP5754
- ACP5754R
- Alca 5
- ATP-5
- CAL5
- C250
- Kastal 300
- K-100S
6000 Series Cast Tooling Plates:
- ACP6000 (Not readily available in the UK)
7000 Series Cast Tooling Plates:
- ACP7 (Not readily available in the UK)
- ACP7R (Not readily available in the UK)
- MIC6
Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate Prototype
Cast Tooling Plate Components, Applications & Industries
Cast tooling plate is extensively used for machine building, tooling and fixturing applications for the following reasons:
1. It provides a good value, machined finish, flat base material from which to commence manufacture for the majority of low to medium duty applications
2. It is dimensionally stable even when large amounts of material have been removed
3. It is thermally and dimensionally stable in operation applications that involve cyclical heating and cooling
Typical Components & Applications:
Here are some examples of the industries and components for which Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate is appropriate. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please do get in touch if you are considering using Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate and we can talk through your project with you.
- Excellent for precision applications such as:
- Electronic bases
- Mounting plates
- Vacuum plates
- Checking fixtures
- General jigs and fixtures
- Machine side and base plates
- Precision parts
- Light duty moulding plates
- Pattern plates
- Index tables
- Vacuum chambers
Industry Examples:
- Jigs and fixtures for all industries
- OEM Machine builders in many industries
- Pharmaceutical, Medical, Healthcare
- Electronics, Chip and Circuit Printers
- Scientific Instrumentation
- Data Processing Equipment
- Printing Machinery
- Plastics
- Robotics
- Food Processing Machinery
- Automotive Packaging Machinery
- Textile Manufacturing
Aluminium Tooling Plate Machined Enclosure Lid
Cast Aluminium Tooling Plate Machining Service
Penta Precision provides highly accurate Cast Aluminium Tooling Plate machined parts. Customers turn to us when they have had quality and delivery issues with their existing suppliers and need a reliable precision machining partner.
To read an example of how Penta delivered on an aluminium tooling plate project for a fast-moving consumer goods customer, please see our Case Studies page (case study 1).
Penta Precision provides the following Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate services:
- CNC milling – prototypes & large batch runs
- CNC turning – prototypes & large batch runs
- Insert installation
- Part marking
- Manual milling
- Manual turning
- Machining design advice
- Machining drawing service
Reasons to Choose Penta:
- ISO 9001:2015 quality assurance
- Consistent high quality machined parts
- Reliable delivery dates - our track record speaks volumes
- Exceptional customer service and communication
- Machining design advice
- Extensive experience in our field
What Makes Penta Different?Our 3 unique pillars to delivering exemplary service:
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We are regularly machining Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate for customers all over the UK. Our customers depend on our machining expertise as well as our outstanding delivery performance, to machine the highest quality parts. If you'd like to discuss how we can help you with your Aluminium Cast Tooling Plate machining requirements, here's a list of ways to get in touch with us.
