Consumer electronics metal casings shift from pure CNC to "forged/extruded + CNC"
Smartphone and laptop metal casings used to be fully CNC machined, but the material utilization rate of hollowing out the shell from a thick aluminum plate was low (usually less than 40%), and the processing time was long. In 2026, the mainstream solution was changed to near-net forming plus partial CNC finishing. There are two specific paths: forging (for 3D curved casings) or extrusion (for straight-wall casings). The blank is reserved for 0.2-0 mm of machining allowance, and then the antenna break, key hole, speaker mesh, USB opening and appearance high-gloss edge are completed through CNC. This process combination reduces the processing time of a single piece by 60%, the material utilization rate is increased to more than 70%, and the comprehensive cost is reduced by 30% -40%. For CNC service providers, this trend means a close collaboration with a forge or extrusion plant. In 2026, many CNC machining companies are starting to offer a "one-stop shop" service: from rough supply to CNC finishing to surface treatment (anodizing). Consumer electronics brands require extremely short lead times (typically 48-72 hours), so flexible capacity and fast changeovers are key competitive elements.
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