Manufacturing with CNC
Aluminum
Pros:
Strength and Durability:
Aluminum is strong and durable, making it suitable for structural components and parts subject to stress.
Lightweight:
Aluminum is relatively lightweight compared to other metals, which is beneficial for applications where weight is a concern.
Cons:
Cost:
Aluminum can be more expensive than other materials like plastics.
Tool Wear:
Machining aluminum can cause wear on cutting tools, increasing maintenance and replacement costs.
Limited Flexibility:
Aluminum is less flexible compared to plastics, making it less suitable for parts that require bending or flexing.
Polycarbonate
Pros:
Strength and Impact Resistance:
Polycarbonate is a very strong and impact-resistant plastic, making it suitable for protective covers and components that need to withstand force.
Transparency:
Polycarbonate can be transparent, which is useful for applications requiring clear or see-through components.
Heat Resistance:
Polycarbonate can withstand higher temperatures than many other plastics.
Cons:
Cost:
Polycarbonate is more expensive than many other plastics.
Chemical Resistance:
It is less resistant to chemicals compared to some other plastics, which can limit its use in certain environments.
Brittleness:
While strong, polycarbonate can be more brittle than materials like ABS or PETG, leading to potential cracking under stress.