Working with Copper Machining Companies: FAQs

As a high-end machine shop, Reading Plastic offers precision CNC machining of a wide variety of materials, from specialty plastics to metals such as copper. For over three decades, clients in both the government and the private sector have trusted Reading Plastic to deliver precise, dependable, high-performance parts. We know what it takes for copper machining companies to produce reliable copper parts.

Copper Machining FAQs

What are the benefits of copper?

Copper offers a wide range of unique benefits, including:

• Good electrical conductivity – Copper has the best electrical conductivity of any metal except silver.
• Corrosion resistant – Copper is highly resistant to corrosion. The famous green color it develops over time is called “patina” and actually helps protect copper from corrosion.
• Tough – Copper and its alloys do not shatter when they are dropped and don’t become brittle when cooled below 32°F.
• Inherently hygienic – Copper is hostile to bacteria, viruses and fungi that come in contact with its surface. This makes copper and its alloys extremely popular in hospitals, doctors offices, commercial kitchens and other areas where hygiene is a concern.
• Good thermal conductivity – Aside from silver, copper is the best conductor of all metals, and it also has a high melting point (1,985°F). Since copper allows heat to pass through it quickly, it is perfect for applications where fast heat transfer is important.
• Alloys easily – Copper can easily be combined with other metals to create alloys. In fact, the first alloy ever produced was copper melted with tin, creating bronze. Copper alloys, such as copper beryllium (CuBe), are harder, stronger and tougher than pure copper.

What are common applications for copper parts?

Copper has a wide variety of uses, from magnet windings in high-energy accelerators to main condenser tubes and plates in coal-fired power stations. It is used in containers that hold corrosive mediums, pipe systems, filters, pumps and valves, and numerous evaporators and condensers. Because of copper’s excellent thermal conductivity, it is widely used in heat exchangers in everything from air conditioners to the petrochemical industry. The automotive industry uses copper in radiators, hydraulic equipment, gears, braking systems, bearings, power distribution, and more. Copper is used extensively in the semiconductor industry because of its excellent electrical conductivity, often replacing aluminum in silicon chips for interconnection and lead frames. In the aerospace industry, copper is used in the wiring, cooling systems, navigation instruments and hydraulic pneumatics of airplanes.

What are the benefits of CNC machining?

CNC machining allows for rapid turnaround times, getting your parts to you in days to weeks, not months. In addition to speed, CNC machining is known for precision and repeatability. You can be certain that your parts will be machined to spec and that each part will be identical to the last. CNC machining is also cost effective across a wide range of part runs, from prototyping to large production runs.

What are your machining capabilities?

At Reading Plastic, our fleet of state-of-the-art CNC machines allow us to offer a full range of CNC services. Our CNC saws can process materials up to 128″x120″x6″, while our CNC routers can handle oversized specialty parts up to 127” x 80” x 9”. For CNC turning, we specialize in multi-axis lathe work that holds tight tolerance standards, up to +/-.001″. We’re experts in 3D-contours, radius edges, plunge cuts, patterns and bevels. And with standard milling bits from .010” to 4.0”, we’re prepared to do the job as efficiently as possible.

Does your project need a precise, dependable copper machining company? Call Reading Plastic today at 610-926-3245, or email us at site2@readingplastic.com.