Aluminum Alloy in Machinery Manufacturing

General Mechanical Parts

Aluminum alloy bars are widely used in general mechanical parts, primarily for manufacturing gears, bushings, connecting rods, instrument pointers, and other transmission and precision components. Their core characteristics are lightweight yet high strength (density only 1/3 that of steel), excellent machinability (high cutting speed, low tool wear), good corrosion resistance (natural oxide film formation on the surface), and good thermal and electrical conductivity.

Small-sized, high-precision aluminum bars (5-20mm in diameter) are used to manufacture core components for precision instruments. Through precision turning and grinding, dimensional tolerances can be controlled within ±0.05mm, and surface roughness Ra≤0.4μm. Grades such as 6061 and 6063 have good machinability, minimal deformation after machining, and are suitable for mass production.

• 6061-T6 and 6063-T6 are suitable for light-load transmission and precision parts.
• 7075-T6 is used for heavy-duty components requiring high strength.
• 5052 and 5083 are used for medical devices and marine parts requiring high corrosion resistance.

Through proper material selection and heat treatment, aluminum alloy bars can meet the performance requirements of different working conditions, achieving lightweighting and cost optimization.

Aluminum Connections and Fasteners

• Aluminum bolts are primarily used for non-load-bearing structural connections, such as fixing equipment housings, installing decorative parts, and assembling instruments. Compared to steel bolts, aluminum bolts can reduce weight by approximately 65%, effectively lowering the overall weight of equipment. They are particularly suitable for weight-sensitive fields such as aerospace, electronic equipment, and medical devices. Grades such as 5052 and 6061 have good ductility and machinability, resulting in high-quality thread forming and reducing the likelihood of cracking.

• Aluminum pins are used for positioning and connecting parts, and are widely used in fixtures, molds, and automated equipment. After tempering, 6061-T6 aluminum can achieve a hardness of HB95 or higher, a tensile strength ≥310MPa, and can withstand shear loads. The positioning pins use an interference fit, with a fit accuracy of H7/k6, ensuring a repeatability accuracy within 0.02mm.

• Aluminum rivets are primarily used for joining thin plates and are widely used in the housings of aerospace, automotive, and electronic equipment. Grades such as 2A10 and 2A11 exhibit good plasticity and riveting properties, resulting in minimal deformation after riveting and reliable connections. Cold heading forming ensures high production efficiency and low cost.

Machine Tool Accessories and Tooling Fixtures

• Aluminum tooling fixtures are used to hold workpieces in place, ensuring positioning accuracy during machining. High-strength aluminum alloys such as 6061-T6 and 7075-T6, after precision machining, can withstand cutting forces while remaining lightweight, making them easy to handle and replace. Structural designs such as T-slots and locating pin holes enable rapid clamping and repeated positioning.

• Aluminum positioning blocks are used to determine the machining reference for the workpiece, while support blocks are used to prevent workpiece deformation. Grades such as 6063 and 6082 have good machinability, stable dimensions after machining, and can undergo hard anodizing treatment to improve wear resistance and service life.

• The aluminum indexing plate is used for multi-angle machining of workpieces, while the rotary table is used for circumferential indexing. After precision machining, the 7075-T6 achieves an indexing accuracy of ±5 arcseconds and a repeatability of ±2 arcseconds. The surface undergoes hard anodizing treatment, achieving a hardness of HV400-600, providing excellent wear resistance.

Automated System Architecture Framework

• Automated equipment such as robotic arms and robot workstations require lightweight yet high-strength frame structures. High-strength aluminum alloys such as 7075-T6 are used to manufacture robot skeletons, while 6061-T6 is used for protective covers and fences. Aluminum alloy frames not only withstand dynamic loads but also effectively isolate the equipment’s operating area, ensuring production safety.

• Aluminum alloy profiles are a fundamental material for building automated production lines, used to construct conveyor line supports, assembly line frames, workbenches, and more. 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 find common use as grades, enabling rapid assembly via T-slots and specialized connectors, supporting quick adjustments and upgrades to the production line. For example, aluminum alloy frame structures see extensive use in welding production lines in automobile manufacturing and electronic assembly lines.

• In high-precision applications such as semiconductor testing equipment, medical instruments, and laboratory equipment, aluminum alloy frames provide a stable mounting platform. The 6061-T6 features excellent dimensional stability and vibration resistance, and through precision machining, it achieves a positioning accuracy of ±0.01mm, ensuring long-term stable operation of the equipment.