Copper Fabrication · Miami Gardens, Florida
Copper Fabrication
Copper sheet and plate cut, punched and formed into busbars, ground bars, contacts, heat sinks and shielding. Our Amada fiber lasers cut C110, C101 and C122 copper up to 3/8 in. cleanly, which CO2 lasers cannot do reliably.
Overview
Copper Parts From a Shop Equipped to Cut Copper
Copper carries current and heat better than any other common metal, so it is the material for busbars, grounding, contacts and thermal parts. It is also one of the hardest sheet metals to laser cut: it reflects most of the energy of a CO2 laser back into the machine. Fiber lasers solve that, and MJM runs four of them.
We fabricate copper under our AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 quality system with mill certifications and lot traceability, from one prototype to production. For cutting detail see copper laser cutting.
Alloys
Copper Grades We Fabricate
| Grade | Where It Is Used |
|---|---|
| C110 (ETP) | Electrolytic tough pitch, the standard electrical copper. Busbars, ground bars, terminals and general electrical parts. |
| C101 (OFHC) | Oxygen-free high conductivity copper for vacuum, RF and high-reliability electronics. |
| C122 (DHP) | Phosphorus deoxidized copper, used where parts will be brazed or soldered. |
| Beryllium copper | High-strength spring alloys. See beryllium copper fabrication. |
Sheet and plate up to 3/8 in. (0.375 in.). Put the alloy, temper and thickness on the drawing; copper prices move with the market, so quotes are tied to current material cost.
Processes
How We Fabricate Copper
Amada Ventis 4 kW and Ensis 3 kW fiber lasers on 5 x 10 ft tables, with nitrogen from three on-site generators for clean, oxide-free edges. Tolerance ±0.005 in.
The Amada AE 2610NT turret punches hole patterns in copper bar and sheet quickly, with no heat at the edge. CNC punching.
Press brake bends, offsets and joggles on nine Amada press brakes, programmed offline so the first bar is right. Forming.
Tapped holes, countersinks and milled features on the Mazak machining center and tapping arms. CNC machining.
Wet deburring for smooth, burr-free edges, with plating or other finishes as the drawing requires, and laser marking.
Amada Fabri-Vision optical inspection of flat parts against CAD, CMM measurement of formed parts, and first article reports.
What We Build
Copper Parts We Make
- Busbars and ground bars for power distribution, switchgear, battery systems and data center equipment.
- Electrical contacts, terminals and straps.
- Heat sinks and thermal plates for power electronics.
- RF and EMI shielding for electronics and defense hardware.
- Architectural and decorative panels cut from copper sheet. See architectural fabrication.
Design Notes
Design Tips for Copper Parts
- Specify the temper. Soft copper bends easily but marks easily; harder tempers hold shape but need larger bend radii.
- Protect contact surfaces. Tell us which faces are electrical contact areas so they are kept clean and free of scratches.
- Call out plating early and which threads or faces must be masked.
- Nest to save material. Copper is expensive; part shapes that nest tightly cost noticeably less.
More in the DFM guide.
Straight Talk
Where MJM Is Not the Right Fit
We work in copper sheet and plate up to 3/8 in. We do not make copper tube or pipe assemblies, castings, or wire and cable products, and heavier bar than our lasers and punch can handle belongs with a bar fabricator.
We are the right shop for flat and formed copper parts that need accurate holes and bends, clean edges and documentation.
FAQ
Copper Fabrication Questions
Does MJM fabricate copper parts?
Yes. MJM Manufacturing laser cuts, punches and forms copper sheet and plate, including C110, C101 and C122, at its Miami Gardens, Florida facility.
How thick can MJM laser cut copper?
Up to 3/8 in. (0.375 in.) on Amada fiber lasers, at a typical tolerance of ±0.005 in.
Can MJM make copper busbars?
Yes. MJM cuts or punches copper busbars and ground bars from sheet and plate up to 3/8 in., forms bends and offsets, taps holes and delivers them plated when the drawing requires.
Why does copper need a fiber laser?
Copper reflects most of the energy from a CO2 laser, which gives unreliable cuts and can damage the machine. Fiber lasers use a wavelength copper absorbs much better, so they cut it cleanly.
What copper grades does MJM work with?
C110 electrolytic tough pitch, C101 oxygen-free and C122 phosphorus deoxidized copper, plus beryllium copper alloys.
Is there a minimum order for copper fabrication?
No. MJM builds single prototypes through production quantities and returns quotes in 24 to 48 hours.
Related
Related Services
- Copper Laser Cutting: C110, C101 and C122 on fiber lasers.
- Beryllium Copper Fabrication: C17200, C17510 and C17000 with controlled handling.
- Brass Fabrication: laser cut and formed brass sheet and plate to 3/8 in.
- Aluminum Fabrication: 5052 and 6061 cut, formed, welded and finished.
- CNC Punching Services: Amada turret punching with 794 tools on the shelf.
- Custom Metal Fabrication: the full shop under one roof.
- Sheet Metal Materials: every metal and gauge we process.
Send Us Your Copper Drawings
STEP files and PDF drawings to sales@mjmmfg.com or (305) 620-2020. Quotes in 24 to 48 hours.