Magnesium CNC Machining Services for Lightweight Housings, Frames and Brackets
Baosheng manufactures custom magnesium alloy parts for weight-critical industrial applications, including electronic housings, drone frames, robotics components, camera hardware, optical brackets, instrument frames and lightweight prototypes.
Send your drawing, material requirement or project notes. Our team will review magnesium alloy grade, weight target, thin-wall design, chip safety, corrosion protection, coating, thread inserts, EMI contact areas, tolerance and inspection requirements before quoting.
CAD Optional for First Review
Send project notes first. NDA is available before confidential file review.
Weight-Critical Review
Thin walls, ribs, pockets, bosses and mounting features reviewed together.
Coating Planned Early
Conversion coating, PEO, painting, masking and coating thickness reviewed before machining.
Assembly Risk Checked
Thread inserts, EMI contact areas and galvanic corrosion risks can be reviewed.
AZ31 / AZ61 / AZ91
Common magnesium alloys reviewed by geometry, coating and availability.
ZK60 / WE43
Higher-performance grades reviewed when specified by drawing or application.
Threads, Bores & Sealing Faces
Process selected by part geometry, wall thickness, datum plan and inspection needs.
What speeds up quoting?
Include alloy grade, quantity, wall thickness, coating requirement, masking, threaded features, inserts, EMI areas and inspection notes.
Application Fit
Where Magnesium CNC Machining Makes Sense
Magnesium is usually selected when weight reduction creates real product value. The best projects define the target weight, operating environment, coating requirement, assembly method and inspection standard before production.
Electronics Housings
Lightweight covers, frames and enclosures where EMI shielding, heat dissipation, coating and cosmetic requirements matter.
- EMI contact areas
- Masking and coating thickness
- Thread inserts and bosses
Drone and Robotics Parts
Weight-sensitive frames, brackets and moving-mass components where stiffness and repeatable assembly fit are important.
- Thin-wall stiffness
- Rib and pocket geometry
- Vibration and datum control
Camera and Optical Hardware
Frames, mounts and brackets where low weight, flatness, threaded holes and stable mating surfaces must be reviewed.
- Cosmetic surfaces
- Flatness and hole position
- Painting or conversion coating
Lightweight Prototypes
Functional prototypes for validating weight reduction, assembly, coating, thermal behavior and product feel before production.
- Prototype to pilot batch
- Material alternatives
- Coating feasibility
Magnesium-Specific Review
Chip Safety, Corrosion Protection and Assembly Risk Are Reviewed Early
Magnesium is different from ordinary aluminum machining. It can be very machinable, but fine chips or dust require controlled machining, housekeeping and fire-safety review. Magnesium parts also need early planning for corrosion protection, coating thickness, masking, galvanic corrosion and thread strength.
Chip and Dust Control
Machining approach, chip evacuation, housekeeping and fine-particle risk should be reviewed before production.
Thin-Wall Stability
Wall thickness, rib design, pocket depth and datum strategy affect deformation, vibration and inspection results.
Coating and Masking
Conversion coating, PEO, painting, powder coating, coating thickness and masked contact areas should be defined early.
Galvanic Corrosion
Contact with steel, copper, carbon fiber, aluminum or other materials should be reviewed for the operating environment.
Part Families
Custom Magnesium Parts We Machine
Baosheng supports magnesium prototype machining, low-volume production and repeat orders for lightweight parts where thin walls, coating, EMI surfaces, thread inserts and inspection stability matter.
Alloy Selection
Magnesium Alloys and Quoting Notes
The best magnesium alloy depends on weight target, strength requirement, corrosion environment, coating method, availability, cost, tolerance, part geometry and application. If the drawing already specifies an alloy, send the material callout with the RFQ.
AZ31
Common for prototypes
Lightweight parts
Often reviewed for machined magnesium prototypes, brackets, frames, housings and instrument components.
- Confirm wall thickness and ribs
- Review coating requirement
- Check availability early
AZ61
Higher strength review
Structural parts
Reviewed when stronger magnesium performance is needed, depending on stock, geometry and application.
- Confirm strength requirement
- Review machining features
- Plan corrosion protection
AZ91
Housings
Cast-related components
Common in cast applications and selected machined parts when specified by drawing or product requirement.
- Confirm material condition
- Review coating and paint
- Check thread and boss features
ZK60
Performance-driven
Higher strength
Consider when the application requires stronger magnesium performance and the drawing specifies it.
- Confirm mechanical requirement
- Review availability and cost
- Define inspection needs
WE43
Specialty grade
Specified applications
Reviewed for specialty magnesium projects when required by drawing, environment or customer specification.
- Confirm exact callout
- Review lead time
- Define certificate requirement
Manufacturing Route
Machining Route Is Selected by Geometry, Wall Thickness and Coating Needs
Magnesium parts are not quoted by alloy name alone. Housings, frames, brackets, sleeves and thin-wall components require different review points for tool access, datum control, coating, masking and inspection.
| Machining Route | Best For | What We Review |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Housings, frames, plates, brackets, ribs, pockets and bosses. | Thin walls, internal radii, pocket depth, datum surfaces, burr-sensitive edges and coating allowance. |
| CNC Turning | Magnesium sleeves, spacers, bushings, collars, shafts and round lightweight components. | OD/ID consistency, thread quality, burr control, surface finish and inspection method. |
| 5-Axis CNC Machining | Drone frames, optical brackets, multi-face structures and complex lightweight parts. | Reduced re-clamping, angled features, tool access, datum strategy and thin-wall distortion risk. |
| Precision Machining | Camera hardware, optical frames, robotics components and inspection-critical magnesium parts. | Flatness, hole position, mating surfaces, thread inserts, coating thickness and dimensional reports. |
DFM Flow
Thin-Wall, Coating and Assembly Risk Flow
Magnesium projects are reviewed as a sequence: first the weight target and structure, then machining safety, coating, assembly contact and inspection. This prevents coating, thread or corrosion requirements from being discovered too late.
1.Weight Target
Confirm whether magnesium is necessary or whether aluminum can meet cost, availability and performance needs.
2.Thin-Wall Design
Review wall thickness, ribs, bosses, pocket depth and vibration risk before machining.
3.Chip Safety
Review chip control, dust management, machining approach and housekeeping requirements.
4.Coating Plan
Define conversion coating, PEO, painting, powder coating, masking and coating thickness.
5.Assembly Contact
Review steel inserts, fasteners, carbon fiber contact, EMI surfaces and galvanic corrosion risk.
6.Inspection
Check wall thickness, flatness, hole position, coating thickness, thread gauges and cosmetic surfaces.
Surface Protection
Coating and Corrosion Protection Should Be Defined Before Machining
Magnesium is more corrosion-sensitive than aluminum. If the part will contact moisture, salt spray, sweat, outdoor environments or dissimilar metals, the coating route should be reviewed before production.
Masking areas, thread fit, EMI contact surfaces, coating thickness, cosmetic appearance and packaging protection can affect the final part. These details should be included in the drawing or project notes.
Conversion Coating
Micro-Arc Oxidation / PEO
Painting or Powder Coating
Masking and EMI Contact
Thread Inserts and Fasteners
Application Proof
Magnesium Machining Case Examples
These examples focus on magnesium-specific risks: weight reduction, thin walls, coating, masking, EMI contact areas, thread inserts and inspection requirements.
AZ31 Electronic Housing
CNC milling · conversion coating review · prototype to pilot batch
The housing required weight reduction, thin-wall pockets, stable mounting bosses and protected exterior surfaces.
- Review focus
- Wall thickness, rib design, coating allowance, masking areas, thread inserts and burr control.
- Inspection focus
- Hole positions, flatness, mating surfaces, coating appearance and wall thickness.
AZ61 Drone Bracket
5-axis machining · deburring · lightweight validation
The bracket required an ultra-lightweight structure, multi-face features and controlled hole alignment.
- Review focus
- Tool access, re-clamping risk, rib geometry, internal radii and vibration-sensitive areas.
- Inspection focus
- Datum surfaces, hole alignment, edge condition, weight-critical pockets and critical dimensions.
AZ91 Camera Frame
CNC milling · painting review · cosmetic surfaces
The frame required low weight, cosmetic finish, threaded holes and stable lens-mounting surfaces.
- Review focus
- Datum strategy, thread features, masking, coating thickness and cosmetic surface expectations.
- Inspection focus
- Thread gauges, hole positions, flatness, coating appearance and protected contact areas.
Material Choice
Not Sure If Magnesium Is the Right Choice?
Magnesium is not always the most practical material. If weight reduction is not the main value driver, another material may reduce cost, risk or finishing complexity.
Use Aluminum When Cost and Availability Matter More
For many lightweight parts, aluminum CNC machining is more practical due to broad availability, lower finishing complexity and stronger corrosion resistance.
Use Titanium When Strength-to-Weight Is Critical
Titanium CNC machining may be better for higher strength-to-weight requirements where cost and machining difficulty are acceptable.
Use Stainless Steel for Corrosion-Heavy Environments
Stainless steel CNC machining may be better when corrosion resistance matters more than weight reduction.
Your questions answered
Magnesium CNC Machining FAQs
Is magnesium good for CNC machining?
Yes. Magnesium alloys are machinable and are often used for ultra-lightweight custom parts. Chip control, dust management, housekeeping and fire-safety requirements should be reviewed before production.
Is magnesium lighter than aluminum?
Yes. Magnesium is commonly selected when weight reduction is more critical than using standard aluminum. Aluminum may still be more practical when cost, availability, corrosion resistance or finishing flexibility is more important.
What magnesium alloys can be CNC machined?
Common CNC machined magnesium alloys include AZ31, AZ61, AZ91, ZK60 and WE43 depending on drawing requirements, application, availability, strength, corrosion protection and surface finishing needs.
Does magnesium need coating?
Usually yes. Magnesium is more corrosion-sensitive than aluminum, so conversion coating, anodizing, micro-arc oxidation, painting, powder coating or other protective treatments should be reviewed based on the environment and application.
Can you machine thin-wall magnesium housings?
Yes. Thin-wall magnesium housings can be reviewed based on wall thickness, rib design, pocket depth, datum strategy, machining sequence, coating requirements and inspection method.
Can you sign an NDA before reviewing magnesium part drawings?
Yes. NDA support is available before confidential CAD files, drawings or product information are reviewed.
Request a Magnesium Machining Quote
Send CAD files, drawings or project notes with magnesium alloy grade, quantity, weight target, wall thickness, coating requirement, masking areas, threads, inserts, EMI contact areas, corrosion exposure and inspection needs. CAD files are recommended for accurate quoting, but they are not required for the first capability check. NDA support is available before confidential file review.
- NDA available before drawing review
- AZ31 / AZ61 / AZ91 / ZK60 / WE43 material review
- Chip safety, thin-wall and rib-design DFM review
- Coating, masking and galvanic corrosion review
- Prototype, pilot batch and repeat production support
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308, Building A, Chang'an Zhigu, Annex Building, No. 199 Shajiang Road, Xitou Community, Songgang Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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