Why Do Machinists Prefer MIC-6® to Other Cast Plate Products?

MIC-6 has several trade named competitive products in the aluminum industry, including ALCA-5, K-100S, ATP-5 and Formodal Cast Aluminum Tool & Jig Plate. These products are similar in mechanical properties, and tolerances, but there is a reason engineers come back to Mic-6 time after time. Manufactured from an aluminum alloy with fine-grain characteristics, Mic-6 is free from internal stresses and is known as the flattest product in the industry. The internal stability of this material helps ensure its minimal movement while undergoing the machining process. At Howard Precision Metals, Inc., we are your premier source for MIC-6 cast aluminum tooling plate.

MIC-6 combines some of the best features machinists look for when machining cut aluminum plate. Within the cast plate industry, this tooling plate material is subjected to one of the most advanced manufacturing methods. The making of MIC-6 fosters inter-plate consistency and lowers the potential of material stability disruption through a process of stress entrapment. The stress relieving properties and granular structure of this plate facilitate the removal of metal at high speeds with minimal or zero distortion often present in flat-rolled metals. MIC-6 aluminum tooling plate possesses a number of beneficial features, including its machining qualities, light weight, smooth surface, flatness tolerance, and absence of tension, and contaminants.

MIC-6 – A Machined Product

As a machined product, Mic-6 tool and jig plate has a flat surface and a surface finish of at least 32 micro-inches on each side. This plate may be machined easily with minimal distortion issues involved. The tolerances of this plate may be maintained in the thousandths with the use of a proper aluminum machining process.

As an accurately machined and exceptional quality aluminum plate, MIC-6 has undergone a thermal stress relieving treatment that gives it dimensional stability when machined. The plate may typically be heated to temperatures up to 800°F (427°C) and, once cooled, the plate reverts to its original dimensions with minimal distortion based on the amount of machining performed. As a result of thermal treatment, the hardness will vary significantly with the thickness, but the plate will still keep its positive machining features.

MIC-6 Characteristics and Tolerances for Machining

Categorized as a 7000 series aluminum alloy, cast aluminum tool & jig plate is about one-third the weight of steel plate. MIC-6 is made using aluminum alloy with a very fine-grain structure with no internal stresses. Its lightweight characteristic often precludes the need for the use of heavy equipment for handling and installation, and it also reduces stress on connections. The plate is highly corrosion-resistant and requires no anti-corrosion coating as a result. Once a tool made from tool & jig plate is no longer useful or needed, the material has a higher salvage rate value than steels. When flatness and minimal machining distortion is required, where strength is not a concern, MIC-6 is ideal.

As a plate that is machine finished top and bottom to exceptionally tight tolerances, cast aluminum tool & jig plate is ideal for applications that require flatness and tight dimensional control.

Cast aluminum tool & jig plate also provides excellent corrosion resistance, good anodization characteristics, and superb machining consistency. It is guaranteed in terms of vacuum and pressure integrity. It features and benefits make it ideal for applications involving aerospace and automotive fixtures, assembly and machining jigs & fixtures, and blow & injection molding.

MIC-6 vs. 6061 for Machining

Compared to 6061 aluminum alloy rolled plates, MIC-6 cast aluminum tooling plate provides superior flatness and dimensional stability. It is a fully stress-relieved product and free cutting aluminum alloy with outstanding machining features. In a range of high speed operations, it produces small, uniform chips. It comes with both sides machined with a thickness tolerance of +/-.005″ and can be provided with a surface finish of 20 RMS or greater. It also has PVC protection on each side.

MIC-6 Applications

MIC-6 cast aluminum tool & jig plate may be used in a wide range of applications, some of which include the following:

  • Tooling
  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Base plates
  • Rubber and plastic molds
  • Gauges
  • Templates
  • Chip printers
  • Assembly jigs and fixtures
  • Index tables
  • Welding fixtures
  • Vacuum chucks
  • Printing machinery
  • Electronics
  • Drill jigs
  • Templates
  • Printing machinery components
  • Aircraft assembly components
  • Automotive tooling
  • Vacuum chambers
  • Foundry patterns
  • Prototypes
  • Electronic components
  • Medical instrumentation
  • Food machinery components
  • CNC routing tables
  • Packing machinery
  • Automation components.

Where stability and flatness are a requirement, you can rely on the effectiveness of MIC-6 cast aluminum tool & jig plate.

At Howard Precision Metals, we have been in business for over 90 years and today we are a full-fledged, 100% state-of-the-art aluminum service center, recognized by leading producers for our tight cutting tolerances and dedicated to meeting all of your aluminum alloy product needs, including those involving MIC-6 aluminum cast tool & jig plate. Our team is here to help you get the best aluminum alloy product for your application every time.

For more information about the MIC-6 aluminum cast tool & jig plate product we offer, in addition to other aluminum alloy products, call us today at 866.602.3788 or request a quote.