Precision Copper Machining

Custom Copper Parts Manufacturing

Copper is a fundamental engineering metal that combines superior electrical and thermal conductivity with excellent corrosion resistance. This distinctive reddish-brown metal offers unmatched properties that make it invaluable for precision machined components.

Pure copper's natural characteristics make it indispensable in many applications: exceptional electrical conductivity, outstanding thermal transfer, and inherent antimicrobial properties. It maintains consistent performance across a wide temperature range and naturally resists corrosion in various environments. Its high thermal conductivity makes it ideal for heat transfer applications, while its electrical properties make it essential for power transmission components.

While copper requires specific machining expertise due to its tendency to be gummy and work harden, its benefits make it worth the investment in proper machining techniques. When correctly machined, copper produces components with excellent surface finishes and precise geometries. The material's natural ductility and malleability allow for complex shapes, while its work hardening characteristics can be leveraged to enhance component durability. These properties, combined with its unmatched conductivity and corrosion resistance, make copper particularly valuable for applications where thermal management or electrical performance is critical.

Benefits of using copper for precision machined parts

Common copper alloys we work with

C230 Copper

C230 is a tellurium-bearing copper alloy designed for excellent machinability while maintaining high electrical conductivity. The addition of tellurium improves chip formation and surface finish quality, making it ideal for precision electrical components and high-volume production parts requiring superior conductivity.

Material Cost: 6

Machining Cost: 4

Durability: 5

Corrosion Resistance: 7

Temperature Resistance: 8

Strength-To-Weight Ratio: 4

Typical Tolerances: ±0.001" to ±0.003"

C353 Copper

C353 is a leaded copper alloy that combines good machinability with high electrical conductivity. Its lead content improves machining characteristics while maintaining most of pure copper's conductivity, making it suitable for electrical components where machining efficiency is crucial.

Material Properties (Scale 1-10)

Material Cost: 5

Machining Cost: 3

Durability: 5

Corrosion Resistance: 7

Temperature Resistance: 8

Strength-To-Weight Ratio: 4

Typical Tolerances: ±0.001" to ±0.003"

C360 Copper

C360 is a free-machining copper alloy optimized for high-speed production while maintaining good electrical properties. Its balanced composition provides excellent chip formation and tool life, making it ideal for high-volume precision components that require good conductivity.

Material Properties (Scale 1-10)

Material Cost: 5

Machining Cost: 3

Durability: 5

Corrosion Resistance: 7

Temperature Resistance: 8

Strength-To-Weight Ratio: 4

Typical Tolerances: ±0.001" to ±0.005"

C443 Copper

C443 is a tin-bearing copper alloy offering enhanced corrosion resistance and improved strength compared to pure copper. Its composition provides excellent resistance to seawater and industrial environments while maintaining good thermal conductivity, making it particularly valuable for marine and industrial applications.

Material Properties (Scale 1-10)

Material Cost: 7

Machining Cost: 6

Durability: 7

Corrosion Resistance: 9

Temperature Resistance: 8

Strength-To-Weight Ratio: 5

Typical Tolerances: ±0.002" to ±0.005"

C464 Copper

C464 is a high-purity copper alloy that maximizes electrical and thermal conductivity. While requiring more careful machining than free-cutting grades, it provides superior conductivity performance, making it essential for critical electrical and thermal management applications.

Material Properties (Scale 1-10)

Material Cost: 8

Machining Cost: 7

Durability: 6

Corrosion Resistance: 8

Temperature Resistance: 9

Strength-To-Weight Ratio: 4

Typical Tolerances: ±0.001" to ±0.004"

Common applications for precision copper parts

Power & Electrical Equipment

In electrical power applications, copper's superior conductivity and reliability make it indispensable. Its unmatched electrical properties ensure efficient power transmission, while its thermal conductivity helps manage heat in high-current applications. Copper's ability to be machined to precise specifications while maintaining its conductive properties makes it essential for power distribution and control components.

Common applications:

• Bus bar components
• Power distribution blocks
• Terminal connectors
• Heat sink components
• Ground conductors
• Switch contacts
• High-current terminals

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HVAC & Thermal Management

Copper's exceptional thermal conductivity makes it the premier choice for heat transfer applications. Its ability to efficiently conduct and dissipate heat, combined with excellent corrosion resistance, ensures reliable performance in thermal management systems. The material's machinability allows for precise cooling channels and heat transfer surfaces crucial for HVAC efficiency.

Common applications:

• Heat exchanger components
• Cooling block assemblies
• Thermal transfer plates
• Distribution manifolds
• Refrigeration fittings
• Temperature sensor housings
• Thermal coupling components

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Industrial Control & Instrumentation

In control and instrumentation applications, copper provides the ideal combination of electrical conductivity and precision machining capability. Its stable properties and corrosion resistance ensure long-term reliability in critical measurement and control systems, while its thermal characteristics help maintain consistent instrument calibration.

Common applications:

• Instrument housings
• Sensor components
• Control system contacts
• Electrical feed-throughs
• Temperature probe fittings
• Power supply components
• Signal transmission parts

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Our copper machining services

With over 75 years of precision machining excellence, we deliver custom copper components that meet the most demanding specifications. From prototype development to multi-million piece orders, our ISO:9001 certified facility specializes in handling complex, high-difficulty work across all copper alloys.

Our commitment to quality, combined with extensive machining capabilities, ensures your custom copper parts and components are manufactured to the highest standards with competitive lead times.

Core services

CNC Milling

Our advanced vertical and horizontal milling centers with up to 6-axis capabilities excel in precision copper machining. We specialize in heat sink components, electrical bus bars, and thermal management parts where conductivity and surface quality are crucial. Whether you need custom copper components for power distribution or precision-machined parts for HVAC thermal management, our milling expertise covers all common grades including free-machining copper and high-conductivity alloys.

Multi-Spindle Machining

Specialized in high-volume copper production, processing bars up to 1-5/8" and chucking to 6". This service is ideal for large-quantity precision components used in electrical systems, power distribution, and thermal management applications. We help manufacturers like Eaton Electric maintain quality and efficiency through consistent, reliable production of complex copper parts, optimizing our processes for copper's unique machining characteristics.

CNC Turning

Offering complete copper turning services for bars up to 4" and chucking to 20" diameter. We excel in manufacturing precision copper components for power equipment, thermal transfer applications, and electrical distribution systems. Our turning capabilities serve diverse applications from high-conductivity terminals to thermal management components, delivering the precise tolerances and surface finishes that copper applications demand.

Swiss Machining

Precision Swiss turning for copper bars up to 7/8" diameter and lengths to 4". This specialized service is perfect for small, precise components used in instrumentation, electrical connectors, and sensor applications. Our Swiss machining capabilities excel in producing tight-tolerance, small-diameter copper parts for applications where precise electrical contact and thermal transfer are critical, maintaining exceptional accuracy despite copper's challenging machining characteristics.

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Scalable production

Short lead times

Fair prices

ISO-9001 certified

Secondary processes

Range of materials

On-time delivery

75+ years in business

Advanced CNC machining

Rapid prototyping