An aluminum 2618 impeller featuring intricate curved blades and a central hub, manufactured from a CNC-turned blank through subsequent 5-axis milling. The finished component retains its as-machined surface condition.
This custom impeller was manufactured from aluminum alloy 2618 using a combination of CNC turning and 5-axis CNC milling. The component features multiple curved blades arranged around a central hub, with a complex three-dimensional geometry that requires multi-axis machining.
The manufacturing process began with a CNC-turned blank, followed by 5-axis milling to produce the blade geometry. Flat end mills, bull nose end mills, ball nose end mills, and drills were used during machining.
The finished impeller was supplied with an as-machined surface finish.
The manufacturing process began with CNC turning to prepare the initial blank.
Turning operations formed the circular body, tapered outer profile, central hub, and bore, creating the pre-machined geometry for subsequent 5-axis milling.
The pre-machined blank was then processed using 5-axis CNC milling to produce the complex impeller geometry.
The machining operations involved several types of cutting tools:
- Flat End Mills: Used in the milling operations.
- Bull Nose End Mills: Used in the milling operations.
- Ball Nose End Mills: Used in the milling operations.
- Drills: Used for hole-making operations.
The different cutting tools supported machining of the component's varied geometric features, including its curved blade surfaces and central structure.
The primary machining challenge was producing the complex curved blade surfaces.
The impeller features multiple blades with changing surface orientations and closely spaced passages. These geometries require careful consideration of cutting tool access, tool orientation, and the transitions between the blades and central hub.
Five-axis CNC machining enables multi-directional tool positioning to reach complex surfaces and follow the three-dimensional blade profiles.
The combination of CNC turning and 5-axis milling allowed the initial rotational geometry and the complex blade features to be manufactured through separate machining stages.
The impeller was manufactured from Aluminum Alloy 2618, an aluminum alloy recognized for its mechanical strength and elevated-temperature performance.
The completed component retains an as-machined finish, with visible machining marks on the blade surfaces and central hub. No additional surface coating or treatment was specified.
T-One manufactures custom precision components using CNC turning, CNC milling, and 5-axis machining.
For complex parts such as impellers, manufacturing methods are evaluated according to the component geometry, material, drawing requirements, and specified tolerances.
Customers can submit engineering drawings and technical requirements for machining feasibility review and quotation.
5-axis CNC machined aluminum 2618 impeller with curved blades and central hub
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