Reference material from our shop floor: tolerance bands, surface finish ranges, 5-axis setup rules, and the numbers we check before a cutter touches metal.
Most scrap and rework traces back to a decision made long before the first cut.
A ±0.005 mm callout on a bracket face that only locates to ±0.05 mm drives extra fixturing, slower passes, and more inspection time. Cost climbs. The part works exactly the same. Ask what the assembly actually needs before the drawing is released.
A 1 mm wall in 6061 will deflect while it is held, spring back when released, and measure out of spec on a part that was cut correctly. This is not a machine problem. It is a geometry and workholding problem, and it is cheaper to fix in CAD than on the table.
Ra 0.2–0.8 μm on a cosmetic cover means extra passes and a polish step. Ra 0.8–1.6 μm usually satisfies a sealing face. When the drawing says smooth, every machinist picks a different number. Put the Ra value on the print and the quote stops guessing.
A 4 mm cutter cannot clear a 60 mm deep pocket at a right angle without a long reach holder. Chatter shows up, finish drops, and the tool may break. Rotating the part onto a 5-axis table can solve it, but that has to be planned before the stock is cut.
Every quote starts from the same reference set: material, geometry, tolerance, finish, and quantity.
Sixteen simultaneous 5-axis machining centers let us cut compound angles, sculpted surfaces, and ported features in a single setup. Fewer setups means less accumulated error and fewer fixtures to build.
For parts that do not need it, three-axis machines and twelve four-axis mills do the job faster. We look at the geometry first and pick the machine that finishes the part in the fewest operations.
Sixteen mill-turn centers handle bushings, shafts, and fittings that need both turning and cross-drilled features. Instead of two operations on two machines, the part stays in one chuck and the second operation happens on the same spindle.
For high-volume runs of small parts, bar feed keeps the spindle cutting instead of waiting on the operator. For one-off prototypes, we still turn the part by hand when that is faster.
A quick guide to matching geometry to the right machine.
| Part feature | Process | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Compound angles, sculpted surfaces | 5-axis | One setup, no custom fixture |
| Prismatic plates, open pockets | 3-axis | Fastest cycle for simple geometry |
| Shafts with cross holes | Mill-turn | Turning and milling in one chuck |
| Deep narrow slots | Sinker EDM or 5-axis | Short tools, less chatter |
| Thin sheet enclosures | Sheet metal | Stamping and forming, not chip cutting |
| Small bushings in volume | CNC turning with bar feed | Low cycle time per part |
One shop, one quality system, from prototype to 10,000+ part runs.
Compound angles, contoured surfaces, and ported features cut in one setup on 16 simultaneous 5-axis centers. Good for aerospace brackets, medical housings, and complex geometry that would need four fixtures on a 3-axis machine.
3-axis, 4-axis, and mill-turn work for plates, housings, bushings, and shafts. Materials from 6061 aluminium to 17-4PH stainless and TC4 titanium. Tolerances held to ±0.005 mm when the drawing requires it.
One-off parts cut from the final material so the prototype behaves like the production part. No minimum order quantity. A drawing and a tolerance band are enough to start. DFM feedback comes back with the quote.
Enclosures, brackets, and chassis parts formed and welded. Pairs well with CNC machined inserts and mounting plates. Powder coating and black oxide available before shipment.
Anodizing in clear, colour, hardcoat, and conductive types. Electroless nickel, zinc, silver, and gold plating. Bead blasting, tumbling, brushing, and laser marking down to 1.5 mm character height.
SLA, SLS, and metal printing for early fit checks. Vacuum casting and die casting for bridging quantities before hard tooling. Useful when the design is still moving and steel is not justified yet.
Numbers to check against your drawing before you send it.
| Item | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Machines | 127 high-precision CNC | 3 wholly-owned plants |
| 5-axis | 16 simultaneous centers | Compound angle work |
| Max size | 4,000 mm | Larger travel: 4,000 × 400 × 150 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm | ±0.0002 in |
| Finish | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm fine | Ra 0.8–1.6 μm high |
| Inspection | 100% before shipment | Reports on request |
| Order size | No minimum | One prototype to 10,000+ parts |
| Quote time | Within 12 hours | Free DFM analysis included |
Data instead of adjectives.
Tolerance verified on the CMM and written into the inspection report when the drawing calls for the tight band. Fine finishes run Ra 0.2–0.8 μm when the sealing surface needs it.
Enough capacity to keep complex work moving without waiting on one machine. Compound geometry runs in one setup instead of four.
Send a STEP file and the quote comes back with manufacturability notes: thin walls, unreachable pockets, tolerance calls that drive cost without adding function.
Long rails, frames, and plates up to 4,000 mm. Medium and compact travels cover smaller housings without tying up a large machine.
ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO 27001:2022. Medical and automotive work runs under the same quality system as general machining.
From one prototype to 10,000+ part runs. Uploads stay confidential, and an NDA is available when the design is sensitive.
Lightweight brackets and housings with tight position tolerance across compound faces.
Non-porous surfaces and documented inspection for housings and instrument parts.
Bushings, brackets, and motor mounts machined from 6061 and 4130.
End effectors and gearbox plates where hole position drives the assembly.
±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) is our standard tight band, and it is verified with in-process monitoring and final inspection before shipment.
Not every feature needs that number. If a hole locates a bearing, hold it tight. If it clears a bolt, a looser band cuts cost without hurting the assembly.
Count the faces that need cutting. One face or two, and a 3-axis machine is faster and cheaper. Add a fourth side and a 4-axis mill keeps the part in one setup.
Compound angles, sculpted surfaces, or deep features reached from several directions push the job to 5-axis. The trade is setup count against cycle time.
Ra 1.6–3.2 μm is the as-machined default and rarely needs extra work. Ra 0.8–1.6 μm suits sealing faces and sliding contact.
Ra 0.2–0.8 μm means additional passes and often a polish step. Put the Ra number on the print rather than a note that says smooth.
No minimum. One prototype and a 10,000+ part run go through the same quality system.
For small quantities we cut from plate or bar. For larger runs we look at bar feed and fixtures that reduce cycle time per part.
Quotation and free DFM analysis come back within 12 hours. Production can start within 24 hours of approval.
Parts typically ship in 3–5 days. Historical late-delivery probability is below 2%, but we do not promise a delivery date until the drawing and finish spec are fixed.
Aluminium grades including 6061, 7075, and 6082. Stainless including 303, 304, 316L, and 17-4PH. Steel including 1018, 1045, 4130, and 4140.
Titanium TA1, TA2, TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V), Inconel, magnesium AZ31B, copper and brass grades, and plastics from POM and PEEK to carbon fibre.
Uploads are secure, and an NDA is available on request before you send files.
We are certified to ISO 27001:2022 for information security, which covers how drawings and customer data are stored and accessed.
A STEP or IGES file, a PDF drawing with tolerances and finish calls, the material, and the quantity. A target price or annual volume helps us suggest a better process.
If the drawing is incomplete, we note the gaps in the DFM feedback rather than guessing at the tolerance.
Upload your files and we will come back with pricing, lead time, and DFM notes on anything that drives cost without adding function.
12-hour quote100% inspectionNo minimum orderNDA on request
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Upload your 3D model or 2D drawing and get a quotation with a free DFM analysis. Maximum processing size 4,000 mm.
CNC Metals 13 grades
CNC Plastics 10 grades
Machines & processes 12 options
Surface & post-processing 10 options
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