Precision CNC Machining for Functional Prototypes and End-use Parts

Get improved tolerances, fully machined features, and detailed inspections

You know us as the fastest manufacturing supplier of machined parts, but sometimes your project requirements outweigh the need for speed. We machine highly precise parts with multiple finishing and reporting options—just what you need for parts with high-end specifications. 

Precision machining makes sense when you need lower quantities with higher part requirements. Lead times still can be as few as 5 days! 

Advantages of Precision Machining

Machining complexity often brings with it high-level requirements, requirements where additional documentation like 2D drawings are necessary. To ensure that your parts meet your needs, we accept 2D drawings and include design feedback from applications engineers. You'll also get: 

  • Tolerances as tight as +/-0.002 in. (0.0508mm)
  • Tolerances adhere to ISO 2768*
  • Fulfillment of quality requirements (including CoC, FAI, ISO 9001, and AS9100)
  • Fully machined features (no material left behind) 

*For parts being manufactured through our network of manufacturing partners, we guarantee ISO 2768 standards for all CNC machined parts. Metal parts will follow ISO 2768-m (medium) or ISO 2768-f (fine). Plastic parts will follow ISO 2768-m (medium). Tolerances down to +/- 0.0004 in. (0.010 mm) are possible but must be clearly indicated in 2D drawings. 

High Precision CNC Milling Machine

Design Guidelines for Precision Machining

 

Maximum Dimensions

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In-house 3-axis Milling 36 in. x 24 in. x 13 in.
Network 3-axis Milling (soft metals) 78.7 in. x 59 in. x 7.8 in.
Network 3-axis Milling (hard metals) 7.2 in. x 31.4 in. x 19.6 in.
Network 3-axis Milling (plastics) 59 in. x 31.4 in. x 27.5 in.
In-house 5-axis Milling 16 in. x 16 in. x 16 in.*
Network 5-axis Milling 78.7 in. x 59 in. x 7.8 in
In-house Turning 10 in. x 18 in.
Network Turning 17 in. x 39 in.


*Raw block weight limit up to 75 lbs. (34.02kg)

In-house 3-axis Milling 914.4mm x 609.6mm x 330.2mm
Network 3-axis Milling (soft metals) 2000mm x 1500mm x 200mm
Network 3-axis Milling (hard metals) 2000mm x 800mm x 200mm
Network 3-axis Milling (plastics) 1500mm x 800mm x 500mm
In-house 5-axis Milling 406.4mm x 406.4mm x 406.4mm*
Network 5-axis Milling 2000mm x 1500mm x 200mm
In-house Turning 254mm x 457.2mm
Network Turning 431mm x 990mm


*Raw block weight limit up to 75 lbs.

Minimum Dimensions

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3-axis Milling 0.10 in. x 0.20 in. x 0.20 in*
5-axis Milling 0.10 in. x 0.20 in. x 0.20 in.*
Turning 0.093 in. diameter
In-house Feature 0.0156 in. 
Network Feature 0.019 in. 
Wall Thickness 0.040 in.**

 

*Minimum material thickness for plastic and steels: 0.125 in.

** Material and geometry dependent

3-axis Milling 2.54mm x 5.08mm x 5.08mm*
5-axis Milling 2.54mm x 5.08mm x 5mm*
Turning 0.093 in. diameter
In-house Feature .396mm
Network Feature 0.50mm
Wall Thickness 1.016mm**

 

*Minimum material thickness for plastic and steels: 3.175mm

** Material and geometry dependent.

Choose the right machining service for your product development needs. 

Compare Solutions

Materials for Precision CNC Machining

 

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  • Stainless Steel
  • Titanium
  • Mild Steel (sourced through network)
  • Inconel (sourced through network)
  • Invar (sourced through network)

*Additional materials are available based on vendor inventory or by request, but quotes can take up to 48 hours.
*Materials softer than 50 Shore D and harder than HRC 32 not offered

  • PET
  • Polycarbonate
  • PVC
  • UHMW
  • PPSU (sourced through network)
  • PMMA/acrylic (sourced through network)
  • Polypropylene (sourced through network)
  • G-10 (sourced through network) 
  • FR4 (sourced through network)

*Additional materials are available based on vendor inventory or by request, but quotes can take up to 48 hours.
*Materials softer than 50 Shore D and harder than HRC 32 not offered

Capabilities

  • Linear tolerances as tight as = +/- 0.002 in.
  • Greater tolerance needs? Try sourcing through the network. 
  • Surface roughness = 63 µ in.
  • GD&T (material and geometry dependent)
    • Flatness = 0.005 in. for parts under 1/10-in. thick, 0.002 in. for parts over 1/10-in. thick
    • Parallelism = 0.010 in. for materials smaller than 6 in. x 12 in., 0.015 in. for materials larger than 6 in. x 12 in.
    • True position (two-plane and three-plane) = 0.015 in.
    • Profile of a surface = 0.015 in.

If you have any issues getting your guide, click here to download.

CNC Machining Surface Finishes Guide

Download this guide for a closer look at our CNC surface finish offerings.

Geometry Limitations 

  • Knife edges
  • Parts drafted on both internal and external walls
  • 5-axis parts with cavity depth exceeding 6 in.

Text

Recommended text considerations for CNC milling:

  •  Minimum width of 0.007 in. (0.177mm), depth of 0.012 in. (0.309mm). 
  • If design permits it, opt for recessed text versus raised.

Quality Documentation

  • Certificate of Conformance (CoC) to customer specifications
  • First Article Inspections (FAIs)
  • Material certification and heat lot numbers
  • AS9100
  • ISO 9001

Finishing and Post-Processing

  • Additional plating
  • Anodizing
  • Chromate plating
  • Passivate
  • Powder coating
  • Electroless nickel plating
  • Silk screening
  • Cleaning
  • Basic assembly 
  • Part marking
  • Press fit and hardware
  • Electropolished (sourced through the network)

Learn more about post-processing options.

Anodized CNC Machined Part

Threading Options

 

Standard Threads Taper Pipe Threads Metric Threads Standard Helicoil  Threads Metric Helicoil Threads
UNC UNF NPT MC UNC STI UNF STI MC STI
1-64 0-80 1/16-27 M1.6 x 0.35 2-56 2-64 M2.5 x 0.45
2-56 1-72 1/8-27 M2.0 x 0.40 3-48 3-56 M3.0 x 0.50
3-48 2-64 1/4-18 M2.5 x 0.45 4-40 4-48 M3.5 x 0.60
4-40 3-56 3/8-18 M3.0 x 0.50 5-40 5-44 M4.0 x 0.70
5-40 4-48 1/2-14 M3.5 x 0.60 6-32 6-40 M4.5 x 0.75
6-32 5-44 3/4-14 M4.0 x 0.70 8-32 8-36 M5.0 x 0.80
8-32 6-40   M4.5 x 0.75 10-24 10-32 M6.0 x 1.0
10-24 8-36   M5.0 x 0.80 12-24 12-28 M7.0 x 1.0
12-24 10-32 Special Threads M6.0 x 1.0 1/4-20 1/4-28 M8.0 x 1.25
1/4-20 12-28 .535-40 SM3 M7.0 x 1.0 5/16-18 6/16-24 M10 x 1.50
5/16-18 1/4-28 .800-36 SM2 M8 x 1.25 3/8-16 3/8-24 M12 x 1.75
3/8-16 5/16-24 1.035-40 SM1 M10 x 1.50 7/16-14 7/16-20 M14 x 2.0
7/16-14 3/8-24 1/4-48 UNS 3B M12 x 1.75 1/2-13 1/2-20 M16 x 2.0
1/2-13 7/16-20 1 5/6-12 UN 3B M14 x 2.0     M18 x 2.5
9/16-12 1/2-20 9/16-18 UNF 3B M16 x 2.0     M20 x 2.5
5/8-11 9/16-18 1/2-20 UNJF 3B M18 x 2.5      
3/4-10 5/8-18 5/16-24 UNJF 3B M20 x 2.5      
7/8-9 3/4-16 3/8-24 UNJF 3B        
  7/8-14 7/16-20 UNJF 3B        
    5/8-18 UNJF 3B        
    3/4-16 UNJF 3B        
    7/8-14 UNJF 3B        
    13/16-16 UNJF 3B        
    1-12 UNJF 3B        
    1 1/16-12 UNJ 3B        

*We support any standard outside diameter UNC, UNF, and metric thread up to 2-3 in. ACME, Whitworth, Bottle Cap, British Standard thread not supported. Gauges required for special operations will add lead time to quote. Blunt start threads not supported.

Precision Machined Parts Without Sacrificing Speed.