How are our aluminium trays made?

Video at the bottom of this page for a visual rundown.

Aluminum desk trays are everywhere but most of them are mass-produced, stamped, or cast. Ours are different. We design and CNC-machine each tray in-house from solid aluminum stock, with a focus on precision, material honesty, and minimalist utility.

If you've ever wondered what goes into making one, here's a behind-the-scenes look at our process from raw billet to finished tray.

1. Why Use Aluminum for Desk Trays?

We use 6061 aluminum for its perfect balance of strength, machinability, and anodizing potential. It’s light, rigid, corrosion-resistant, and has a clean industrial aesthetic. No coatings, no fillers — just pure metal. Compared to plastics or wood: Won't warp or stain Has weight and presence Lasts a lifetime (and then some)

2. The Design Process: Function First

Every tray starts with a functional goal. Do you need to hold coins, keys, pens, or screws? We model every detail in CAD, considering: Pocket depth Chamfered vs radiused edges Clearance for fingers/tools Material hold-downs for machining Every cut has a reason.

3. CNC Machining the Tray

We start with raw aluminium bar or plate stock, clamp it down in our CNC mill, and run a multi-stage toolpath to rough, finish, and deburr the piece.

Typical steps:

• Face the stock for flatness
• Pocket out internal sections
• Chamfer all edges for comfort
• Optional: engravings or logos Flip and finish bottom (with soft jaws or fixture)

Tolerances are kept tight, usually within ±0.01mm or better. 

4. Finishing and Post-Processing

After machining, trays go through a multi-stage finishing process:

• Deburring sharp edges by hand
• Media tumbling or bead blasting for surface prep
• Anodizing for corrosion resistance and finish color

We often anodize in black or clear, depending on the design. No paint, no powdercoat. The metal is the product.