This is an aluminum arc-shaped locating plate with a notch, used as a precision structural component in equipment. The plate has a sector-shaped arc profile with a U-shaped notch in the middle, and mounting through-holes with counterbores across the plate face.

The aluminum gives it a clean surface, low weight, good strength, excellent machinability, and solid corrosion resistance. Parts like this are widely used in automation equipment, fixtures, and drive mechanisms for locating, limiting travel, and supporting or securing other components. The light weight reduces the load on the machine, and anodizing can be added when extra wear and rust resistance is needed.

Process flow: Aluminum plate blank is CNC machined for the outer profile, U-shaped notch, and stepped counterbored holes, then deburred, cleaned, and inspected before storage.

Machining Challenges

A thin, arc-shaped plate has low rigidity and tends to chatter under the cutter, leaving chatter marks on the profile.

The corners of the U-notch tend to form burrs, and stress concentrates there as well.

The counterbored holes need high perpendicularity to the plate surface. If the thin plate is clamped badly, it will be squeezed out of shape, and profile dimensions and flatness can go out of tolerance.

How It’s Managed

Issue	Approach
Low rigidity and clamping distortion	Vacuum chuck fixturing to support the thin plate and reduce clamping deformation
Chatter marks on the profile	Sharp diamond-coated or carbide tools; high spindle speed with a shallow depth of cut
Notch corner burrs and stress concentration	Corner relief radii added at the notch corners; toolpath optimized to reduce burrs
Counterbore perpendicularity and flatness	Counterbores machined in layers with controlled feed rates; fine deburring after machining to protect flatness and hole position accuracy