01
Tolerances called out tighter than the function needs
A ±0.01 mm callout on a non-mating face forces extra setups and slower passes. Cost goes up, nothing works better. We flag these in DFM before cutting metal.
Shop-floor guides
Machinist Resources
Practical guides, tables and checklists for engineers who need to quote, design and inspect machined parts. Written from the shop floor, not the brochure.
±0.005 mm tolerance127 CNC machinesNo MOQ12-hour quote
15 yearsMachining since 2011
127High-precision CNC machines
±0.005 mmRepeatable tolerance
3–5 daysTypical part shipping
Where projects stall
Four problems that cost you a build cycle
02
Drawings that leave the datum open
Two datums, no primary, and the inspector measures from a different edge than the machinist did. Parts get rejected on paper after they were cut correctly.
03
Material picked late
316L and 17-4PH machine differently, and titanium moves under heat. Choosing the alloy after the quote means the cycle time and finish were estimated on the wrong metal.
04
No one checks the first article against the model
The CAD file gets updated after the drawing is issued. The shop cuts to the PDF, the engineer inspects to the STEP, and the mismatch shows up at assembly. Send both, and say which one wins.
How this library helps
Reference material for the decisions that set your part cost
Four areas where an early call saves a rework loop.
Material and finish
Pick the alloy before the quote, not after
Aluminum 6061-T6 covers most brackets and housings. It machines fast, holds ±0.005 mm on a good setup, and anodizes cleanly. Step to 7075 when you need strength in a thin section, and expect more tool wear and a slower cycle.
Stainless is where quotes drift. 303 turns freely, 304 galls, 316L work-hardens if the feed is too light. Titanium TC4 and Inconel need rigid setups and constant coolant, so budget the cycle time and plan a finishing pass rather than chasing the number on a first trial cut.
- 16061-T6 and 7075General frames, heat sinks, brackets, housings
- 2303 / 304 / 316L / 17-4PHShafts, fittings, food and medical contact parts
- 3TC4, Inconel, AZ31BLightweight and high-temperature assemblies
Tolerance and inspection
Set tolerance by function, then check it the same way twice
General machining holds ±0.1 mm without drama. ±0.005 mm is available, but it should sit only on the features that mate, seal or locate. Applying it across a whole drawing adds setups, hand finishing and inspection time for no gain in the assembly.
Inspection follows the drawing. We check raw material on arrival, monitor dimensions in process, and measure every part before shipment. Reports are available on request, including first article data, so your incoming inspection is comparing against the same numbers we used.
- 1±0.005 mmBearing bores, spigots, sealing faces
- 2Ra 0.8–1.6 μmGeneral mating and sliding surfaces
- 3Ra 0.2–0.8 μmSeals, optical housings, wear faces
Process selection
Which process fits the part in front of you
Pick by geometry and quantity, not by habit.
| Part situation | Process | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Prismatic part, one to 50 pieces | 3-axis or 4-axis milling | Fast setup, easy to re-cut if a feature changes |
| Complex pockets on five faces | 5-axis simultaneous | One setup, fewer datum shifts |
| Turned shaft with cross holes | Mill-turn center | Turning and milling without a second fixture |
| Thin wall, 0.5 mm or less | 3-axis with light passes | Rigid workholding, controlled deflection |
| Prototype in two weeks | Rapid prototyping | Form and fit checked before hard tooling |
| Enclosure, 200+ pieces | Sheet metal or die casting | Lower unit cost once volume is real |
What we run
Machining and finishing under one roof
01
5-axis CNC machining
16 simultaneous 5-axis centers for contoured parts, deep pockets and features on five faces in one setup.
02
3-axis and 4-axis milling
27 three-axis and 12 four-axis machines for plates, brackets and prismatic housings up to 4,000 mm.
03
CNC turning and mill-turn
16 mill-turn centers handle shafts, bushings and fittings with cross holes and flats in a single cycle.
04
Rapid prototyping
One-off parts for fit checks, with the same tolerance and inspection path as production.
05
Surface finishing
Anodizing, plating, powder coating, bead blasting, brushing and laser marking handled in-house.
06
Sheet metal and casting
Fabrication, die casting and vacuum casting for enclosures once quantities justify the tooling.
Capability
Machine and finishing limits
Numbers to design against.
| Item | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum part size | 4,000 mm | Larger travel on the long-bed machines |
| Standard tolerance | ±0.005 mm | Tighter on specific features on request |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.2–3.2 μm | As-machined to fine finishes |
| Materials | Aluminum, stainless, steel, copper, titanium, plastics | Full list on the quote form |
| Laser marking | 1.5 mm minimum character height | Logos, part numbers, traceability codes |
| Order size | 1 to 10,000+ pieces | No minimum order quantity |
Why engineers send us the hard ones
Six reasons the drawings come back
15Y
Machining since 2011
Three wholly-owned plants and 150 technicians, so a job does not wait on a third party.
±0.005
Tolerance we hold
Verified on the machine and again at final inspection, with reports on request.
127
CNC machines
16 five-axis, 16 mill-turn, 12 four-axis and 27 three-axis centers under one roof.
99.99%
Qualification rate
Raw material check, in-process monitoring and 100% inspection before shipment.
12 h
Quote turnaround
Quotation and free DFM analysis within 12 hours; production can start within 24 hours.
ISO
Four certifications
ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485 and ISO 27001 cover quality, medical and data handling.
7,600 m²Manufacturing space
150Technicians and engineers
<2%Historical late-delivery rate
4,000 mmMaximum processing size
Industry results
What each sector asks for, and what we deliver
Aerospace brackets
Thin ribs, tight datums, traceable material.
- ±0.005 mm
- 5-axis, one setup
- Material certs
Medical instrument housings
Clean finishes and documented inspection.
- Ra 0.4 μm
- ISO 13485
- 100% inspection
Automotive and EV fixtures
Repeatable parts across 10,000-piece runs.
- IATF 16949
- 3–5 day shipping
- 99.99% pass
Robotics and automation frames
Large plates that stay flat after machining.
- 4,000 mm travel
- Ra 1.6 μm
- No MOQ
FAQs
Questions we get from engineers
How do I decide between 3-axis and 5-axis for a new part?
Count the faces that carry features. If pockets, holes or bosses sit on three or more sides, 5-axis removes the extra setups and the datum shifts that come with them.
If the part is mostly flat with holes on one face, 3-axis is faster and cheaper to program. Send the STEP file and we will say which one the geometry actually needs.
What tolerance should I put on a general machined surface?
±0.1 mm is enough for most non-mating surfaces and keeps the cycle time down. Reserve ±0.005 mm for bores, spigots and sealing faces where clearance or fit depends on it.
Tightening the whole drawing does not make the part better. It adds setups, hand work and inspection steps, and that shows up in the price.
Which stainless grade should I specify?
303 is the free-machining choice for shafts and fittings that are not welded. 304 is common for general corrosion resistance but galls more. 316L adds molybdenum for chloride and marine exposure.
For higher strength, 17-4PH can be aged after machining. Tell us the environment and the strength target, and the grade choice usually makes itself.
Why is titanium harder to quote than aluminum?
Titanium conducts heat poorly, so the cutting edge stays hot while the chip carries little heat away. Feed and speed have to be conservative, and the tool changes more often.
TC4 also springs back under load and can move after material is removed. We plan a roughing pass, a stress-relief pause where needed, and a finishing pass to hold the final dimension.
Can you machine a part from my 3D file only?
Yes, but the drawing should say which file wins if the two disagree. A STEP model carries geometry; tolerances, finishes and datums usually live on the PDF.
When both are supplied, we check them against each other during DFM and flag any mismatch before cutting metal.
How fast can I get parts?
Quotation and DFM analysis come back within 12 hours. Production can start within 24 hours of approval, and parts typically ship in 3–5 days.
Timing depends on material availability and finishing. Anodizing or plating adds a step, so tell us the deadline when you send the files.
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
No. We run from a single prototype up to 10,000+ part runs on the same equipment and inspection path.
For low volumes the setup is the main cost, so a one-off part and a 50-piece run share most of the programming effort.
How do you handle confidential drawings?
Uploads stay confidential and are not shared outside the job. An NDA is available on request before files change hands.
ISO 27001 covers how we store and control that data. If your process requires a specific agreement, send it with the RFQ.
Send the drawing, get a quote and DFM notes in 12 hours
Upload your STEP and PDF. We reply with price, lead time and any tolerance or material changes worth making before the first cut.
12-hour quote100% inspectionNo minimum order quantity
