Titanium is one of the most frequently requested materials in high performance jobs to have a quality strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, titanium is one of the most challenging materials to machine with precision.
At Falcon CNC Swiss, we do Swiss machining of titanium with ultra precision titanium parts burr-free for aerospace, medical, and defence applications. In this blog you will learn the fundamentals in titanium machining, the different challenges of titanium, and how we get titanium to world class quality CNC titanium parts.
What Is Titanium Machining?
Titanium machining or titanium machining lies in precise cutting, turning, or milling of titanium and titanium alloys with CNC (computer numerical control) machines. Because of titanium's premium material properties even in the use of a CNC machine to cut it requires many more advanced strategies and tooling to keep surface finish, accuracy, and tool life.
Falcon CNC Swiss doesn't take on any grade of titanium:
Grade 2 - commercially pure titanium and is highly ductile and soft.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) - high strength alloy titanium (most common).
Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) - Ultra-pure biocompatible titanium machined specifically for an implant.
Check out our titanium CNC machining capabilities
Why Is Titanium Hard to Machine?
The same material properties that make titanium so great to use is also the same list of titanium difficult properties to machine. Below you will find four issues the most manufacturers will face:
1. Low Thermal Conductivity
Titanium does not dissipate heat well which causes localized heat to build at the cutting edge causing rapid tool wear ... also possibly causing deformation of the part.
2. Work Hardened Titanium
Like stainless steel titanium work hardens as cutting occurs, this means cutting tools need to extremely sharp and optimise the cutting parameters, or surface quality deterioration and possibly produce non -conforming and rejected parts.
3. Springback / Elasticity
Titanium is the most "springy" of all the metals, when under pressure titanium can flex and "spring back" affecting tolerance when turning or milling.
4. Abrasive Oxide Layer on Titanium
Titanium has Oxide layer, and it can be abrasive to cutting tools and cause an increasing tools wear.
How Does Falcon CNC Swiss Overcome Titanium Machining Issues?
At Falcon CNC Swiss we employ a cross-spectrum of high-end machines, advanced titanium expertise, and clever engineering to machine titanium to precision and consistently.
✔ High-Quality Swiss Type CNC Machines
Falcon CNC Swiss machines premium Swiss type CNC machines to make small high-precision titanium parts with tight tolerances and complex geometries.
Learn more about our CNC Swiss machining hub
✔ Advanced Tooling & Coatings
Falcon CNC Swiss uses only high-end carbide cutting tools with TiAlN or diamond-like coatings formulated to reduce frictional force resulting from cutting titanium, and withstood the high degree of heat it creates.
✔ Optimizing Speeds and Feeds
Our engineers will also have programmed each toolpath so there is a low radial engagement at optimal rotary speeds and limited tool stress along with better chip evacuation.
✔ High Pressure Coolant Systems
The advantage of having 1000-psi coolant delivery allows for simple management of chip flushing and heating requirements for titanium machining at Falcon CNC Swiss.
Common Titanium Machining Applications
| Industry | CNC Titanium Components |
|---|
| Medical | Bone screws, spinal implants, dental components |
| Aerospace | Turbine parts, brackets, fasteners |
| Defense | Structural supports, weapon housings |
| Industrial | High-strength shafts, pump impellers |
Precision Tolerances & Quality Control
At Falcon, we manufacture titanium parts on a daily basis with:
Tolerances as small as ±0.005mm
Mirror-finish surfaces (Ra < 0.4μm)
Full ISO quality documents
100% visual and dimensional inspection
Whether you need CNC titanium shafts, custom titanium bolts, or ultra-small titanium connectors, we possess the accuracy tools and talent to produce to high tolerances in titanium.
Why Use Falcon for Titanium Machining?
15+ years of Swiss titanium machining experience
Specializing in small diameter, high tolerances
In-house inspection and full traceability
Global service to the medical, aerospace and OEM markets
Low MOQ + Rapid Prototyping available
We are not just machinists - we are your engineering partners. Request a custom titanium quote today
If you are looking for CNC titanium machining services that you can rely on, let Falcon take your designs into precision reality.
Request a quote now.
