Here at SpecMaster, we take pride in serving our customers with above and beyond CNC machining services. While machining is one aspect of what we do, we also view ourselves as your partner when it comes to efficiently and effectively creating and delivering the best parts for your applications. Part of working with our clients is helping them understand efficiencies and cost-savings they can gain when specifying materials. The fact of the matter is, we get a lot of requests to use specific materials. In many cases, we find materials better suited to the application, which provides savings and better machining efficiencies. Below, we compare specific materials, their costs, and the machinability rating.
Plate is more expensive than bar.
T651 temper is more expensive than standard T6.
Temper:
- T6 – Solution heat treated and artificially aged
- T651 – Solution heat-treated, stress relieved by stretching, then artificially aged
As you can see, certain materials can have an impact on raw material costs. This is especially true if you select Flat Bar versus Plated. Additionally, depending on the machinability rating, your selection may impact labor costs. As a result, you may want to consider other comparable materials that will provide you with better cost-efficiencies.
We hope this information helps when considering material specifications versus merely using standard call outs. By involving us in the creation of your specifications early in the process, we’ll be able to help you save on production while still delivering parts that meet performance requirements.
If you have questions about the best materials for your next project, please give us a call at 303-227-3400 or request a quote today.