Metal - Aluminum
0.040 inches
What is it
6061 grade Aluminum.
This is a medium strength alloy possessing good ductility and therefore good formability. Aluminium alloy 6061 is known for work hardening rapidly and is readily weldable. It also possesses high corrosion resistance particularly in marine environments.
Orders using this material generally ship in around 2 weeks. Find out more.
Design notes
The fabrication process for metal is different from all our other materials - as such there are a few important points to note:
- We won't be able to apply Prime discount pricing to metal orders.
- Getting your metal pieces cut may take longer than standard orders. If you want to make designs on other materials as well, we would recommend placing the metal order separately.
- Please read things you must know for laser cutting metal before starting your project as there are some specific design requirements for this material.
These include:
- You cannot share cutting lines.
- Etching or engraving is not possible with metal laser cutting.
- Parts must be bigger than 0.4x0.4" / 10mm x 10mm.
- Parts must have a 0.25” / 6mm separation in your design file.
- Designs should not have features smaller than 0.02” / 1mm.
- All parts must be defined with closed paths.
- Parts may be tagged into the surrounding waste material.
- You may not receive the waste material.
- Parts will have slightly radiused corners.
- It's common for the back side for the material to get scratched as it lays on metal grates while it's being cut.
Environmental info
Recyclable.
Adhesives, joints & fastenings
Aluminum is best connected with mechanical fastenings or welding.
A two part epoxy may be used to stick metal to other materials. For more info about gluing metal see this site
Get an instant online price!
Upload your design »Material info (in inches)
Thicknesses available:
- 0.040 inches
Sizes available:
-
P1 7.126 x 7.126 -
P2 15.118 x 15.118 -
P3 31.102 x 15.118
Pricing:
| P1 | P2 | P3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.040 inches | $46.98 | $64.01 | $76.87 |
What will it cost to make?
Example product:
2 Spinning Tops
|
|
| Materials needed: 1 x P1 0.12inches Red Acrylic | $4.00 |
| Making costs: | $8.41 |
| Total USD $12.41 Excludes shipping & sales tax | |
The costs shown here are intended as a guide, so if you decide to make 'something like this only slightly different' your costs will change.
Tips from other designers
One thing that is lacking in your materials selection is anodized aluminium - I plan on making a number of control panels a dials with elaborate markings and a black anodized aluminium would be ideal for this application
Hi Fred, thanks for the comment!
We're hoping to add some additional metal options soon. Wouldn't it be better to anodize after the pieces are cut though?
Thanks for your prompt reply, Josh. If the metal is anodized an then the text is laser etched on to the aluminum the result is quite beautiful. If one picture is worth a thousand words - take a look at this: http://www.bignick.net/Morgan_Radio/Radio_8.htm
Besides, anodizing post process means more overhead, after getting the panel back from Ponoko, I'd have to find a local anodizing/plating shop to do the work , or send it away. Either way - cost per unit would be prohibitive. I belong to a to group of builders that like to build from scratch crystal and tube radios. If I could supply a limited number of beautifully laser etched dial plates for those hard to come by vernier dial drives, I might be able be able to make some spare change as as well - but only if I can keep the costs down.
I second the request for anodized aluminum. I want to make faceplates for my synthesizer modules via Ponoko. I've been using Front Panel Express (http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/). They're good but I'd prefer the flexibility of my own design program.
Thanks for seconding the request for anodized aluminum - we haven't found a solution for providing it yet, but will keep investigating!
I would really like to see metal as an alternative in European hubs
Yep! anodized aluminum please!
+1
I would like to have Stainless Steel or Aluminum in the German hub.
Hello there! Your best bet will be to contact Formulor directly, who own and operate the German hub. You can do so via their website at http://www.formulor.de - metals take a different type of cutter than all other laser-cut materials, so it likely won't be possible right away. Cheers!
hi
Can I just engrave this material? not cut just engrave about .1 mm?
Hi! It is not possible to engrave through our metal laser-cutting service, but we can do 1/2 etching through the PCM service we're trialling. Contact us for more info.
on wood, can I engrave?
You sure can. Have a look at our starter kits in the 'Make > Design it yourself' section of the site. :)
Thanks :)
Hi - can we get some thicker gauges of aluminum? I need 10 ga...
Hello there! It doesn't look like we'll be adding any additional thicknesses of aluminum in the 1st half of this year, I'm afraid. Sorry!
What material is better for a head badge for a bike? Aluminium or stainless steel?
Hi Patricio - we're not the best folk to help advise on specific applications for materials. You'll be best to check in with a bike-focused community. Cheers!
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