Aluminum CNC & Die-Cast Enclosures

Custom Aluminum Housings for Electronics, Industrial Equipment & OEM Products

Aikerly coordinates custom aluminum enclosure production with qualified manufacturers in China.

We work with both CNC-machined and die-cast aluminum housings. The appropriate process depends on the part design, production quantity, tolerance requirements, tooling cost, and target unit price.

For prototypes and smaller production runs, CNC machining is often the practical choice. For larger quantities, die casting can reduce machining time and part cost. A cast housing with CNC finishing is also common when the part requires both complex geometry and precise features.

Aikerly reviews these factors before production and coordinates the appropriate manufacturing route.

Die-Cast Aluminum Enclosures

Die casting is mainly used when production volume justifies tooling and the housing has a geometry that can be produced efficiently in a mold.

Typical applications include:

• Electronic equipment housings

• Power supply housings

• Motor housings

• Automotive electronic housings

• Industrial controllers

• Communication equipment

• Commercial and consumer products

Die casting can produce complex shapes and integrated features with relatively consistent production cycles.

Critical holes, threads, mounting surfaces, and other precision features can be CNC machined after casting.

Choosing the Right Process

The decision between CNC machining and die casting is not simply a question of which process is cheaper.

We consider:

• Part geometry

• Material

• Wall thickness

• Required tolerances

• Production quantity

• Tooling cost

• Machining requirements

• Surface finish

• Target unit cost

• Expected production life

For a small quantity, avoiding tooling may make CNC machining more economical.

For larger quantities, the tooling investment for die casting may be justified by a lower production cost.

Aikerly evaluates the complete production requirement before recommending a process.

Aluminum Materials

Common materials for these enclosures include:

6061-T6

A widely used alloy for CNC-machined housings and structural components. It offers a useful combination of strength, machinability, and corrosion resistance.

7075-T6

Used for machined components where higher strength is required.

ADC12

A common die-casting alloy with good castability and suitable production characteristics for many electronic and industrial housings.

A380

Another widely used die-casting alloy for housings and mechanical components where strength, castability, and cost need to be balanced.

The final material depends on the manufacturing process and the actual requirements of the component.

Engineering Review

Before production, Aikerly can review the enclosure design for manufacturing issues that may affect cost, quality, or production feasibility.

For CNC Machining

We review:

• Critical dimensions

• Tolerances

• Internal pockets

• Hole and thread requirements

• Tool accessibility

• Machining time

• Material utilization

For Die Casting

We review:

• Wall thickness

• Draft angles

• Ribs and bosses

• Parting line

• Ejection

• Mold complexity

• Machining allowance

• Potential casting defects

The purpose is straightforward:

Identify production problems before tooling or manufacturing begins.