01
The drawing says ±0.01 mm, the parts don't
Thin walls, deep pockets and long unsupported sections move during cutting. If the shop quotes from the drawing without checking setup and workholding, the first article passes and part 200 does not.
Custom Manufacturing
Custom CNC Machining Parts
Send a drawing or a STEP file and we machine it to your tolerance, finish it in-house, and inspect every part before it ships. One prototype or ten thousand.
Tolerances to ±0.005 mmRa 0.2–0.8 μmNo MOQ3–5 day shippingISO 9001 / IATF 16949NDA on request
127High-precision CNC machines
16Simultaneous 5-axis centers
±0.005 mmAchievable tolerance
99.99%Qualification rate
Where custom parts go wrong
Four Problems That Show Up After Machining
Most of these are decided at quoting time, not on the machine.
02
Finishing eats two weeks of the schedule
Machining finishes on Friday, then the parts sit at an anodizer for ten days. Every outside finishing step adds a truck ride, a queue and a second chance of damage.
03
One supplier, three sets of numbers
Machining in one city, plating in another, laser marking somewhere else. Three quality systems, three inspection reports, and no single party accountable when the assembly does not fit.
04
The first article passes, the run does not
A one-off part proves the program works. It does not prove the fixture holds, the tool wears predictably or the operator measures the same feature the same way at 2 a.m. Process control is what holds a run together.
How we build custom parts
A Custom Machining Process Built Around Your Drawing
Quote, DFM feedback, machining, finishing and inspection under one roof in Dongguan.
Process control
We Read the Drawing Before We Quote
Every custom quote starts with a DFM review. We check wall thickness, tool reach, corner radii, datum strategy and which features can be cut in the same setup. You get the quotation and the manufacturability notes together, within 12 hours.
That review is where tolerance cost is decided. A ±0.005 mm bore on a 300 mm part is a different job from the same callout on a 20 mm bushing. We tell you which is which before you commit to the order.
- 1Setup countFewer setups mean fewer datum shifts and tighter stacked tolerance.
- 2Material behavior6061, 17-4PH and Ti-6Al-4V move differently. Feed and fixturing follow the alloy.
- 3Inspection planWe name the features we will measure before the first chip is cut.
Finishing in-house
Machining and Finishing in the Same Building
Anodizing, plating, bead blasting, brushing, polishing, powder coating, black oxide and laser marking are all handled here. Parts do not leave the plant between operations, so there is no shipping loss, no re-inspection at a subcontractor and no finger-pointing when a finish is wrong.
Laser marking holds a minimum character height of 1.5 mm. Anodizing covers clear, colour, hardcoat and conductive. Electroless nickel, zinc, silver and gold plating are available. Tell us the callout and the environment the part sees, and we will say whether the finish is the right one.
- 1Corrosion resistanceAnodizing, plating or black oxide depending on the environment.
- 2AppearanceBead blasting, brushing and polishing set the cosmetic baseline.
- 3TraceabilityLaser marking carries part numbers, revision and lot data.
Finish selection
Which Finish Fits Which Part
Pick the requirement first, then the process.
| Requirement | Typical finish | When it is the wrong choice |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion + cosmetic, aluminium | Anodizing, clear or colour | Not for tight threads; build-up changes fit |
| Wear resistance, aluminium | Hardcoat anodizing | Brittle on thin sections and sharp corners |
| Electrical conductivity | Conductive anodizing or masking | Full anodizing insulates the surface |
| Steel corrosion, low cost | Black oxide with oil | Not for outdoor or wet service without oil |
| Steel, high wear | Electroless nickel | Dimensional build-up on tight bores |
| Uniform matte surface | Bead blasting | Hides tool marks, cannot remove deep scratches |
| Low roughness, sealing face | Polishing to Ra 0.2–0.8 μm | Soft surfaces scratch in handling |
| Color, outdoor durability | Powder coating | Thick film; not for fine features or threads |
Custom services
What We Make to Your Drawing
Six routes into the same inspection and finishing floor.
01
5-Axis CNC Machining
16 simultaneous 5-axis centers for contoured surfaces, impellers and parts that need five faces in one setup. Up to 4,000 mm of travel.
02
Milling & Turning
27 three-axis machines, 12 four-axis mills and 16 mill-turn centers cover prismatic parts and turned parts with cross features.
03
Rapid Prototyping
One-off and low-volume parts for fit checks and design reviews. No minimum order quantity, so a single piece is a real order.
04
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Brackets, enclosures and panels when the part should be formed rather than cut from billet.
05
Custom 3D Printing
Plastic and resin parts for early form-and-fit work before the design is frozen for machining.
06
Die Casting & Vacuum Casting
Tooling-based routes for higher volumes and for urethane parts that match production finish.
Scope
Custom Machining Scope at a Glance
Numbers we can commit to before you send the file.
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) on qualified features |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm fine, Ra 0.8–1.6 μm high, Ra 1.6–3.2 μm as machined |
| Maximum part size | 4,000 mm, with 4,000 × 400 × 150 mm travel on large machines |
| Materials | Aluminium, stainless, steel, copper, brass, titanium, Inconel, magnesium, plastics |
| Order quantity | One prototype to 10,000+ part runs, no minimum |
| Lead time | Production start within 24 hours; parts ship in 3–5 days |
| Inspection | 100% before shipment, with reports on request |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 27001:2022 |
Why GreatLight
What You Can Check Before You Order
15Y
Machining since 2011
Fifteen years of custom work, three wholly-owned plants and 7,600 m² of manufacturing space in Dongguan, plus a factory in Singapore.
127
CNC machines on the floor
16 simultaneous 5-axis centers, 16 mill-turn centers, 12 four-axis mills and 27 three-axis machines. Capacity is not subcontracted.
12h
Quote and DFM together
The quotation and the manufacturability notes arrive in the same reply, so you can price the change before you place the order.
24h
Production start
Once the drawing, material and finish are locked, cutting can begin within 24 hours.
100%
Inspection before shipment
Raw material check, in-process monitoring and final inspection. Reports on request. Qualification rate runs at 99.99%.
0
Minimum order quantity
One prototype or a 10,000+ part run. The setup and inspection routine does not change with the quantity.
Numbers
Tolerance, Finish and Capacity Figures
±0.005 mmAchievable tolerance on qualified features
Ra 0.2–0.8 μmFine finish after polishing
Ra 1.6–3.2 μmStandard as-machined finish
4,000 mmMaximum processing size
Ø400 mmRotary table for 4-axis work
150Technicians across three plants
3–5 daysTypical shipping window after production start
<2%Historical late-delivery probability
Industry fit
Where Custom Parts Have to Hold Up
Aerospace brackets and housings
Thin-wall aluminium and titanium parts where datum control decides whether the assembly lines up. Five-axis setups, hardcoat or alodine-type protection, laser-marked lot data.
- ±0.005 mm
- 5-axis
- Lot marking
Automotive and EV fixtures
Production and test fixtures that repeat over thousands of cycles. IATF 16949:2016 process discipline, in-process checks, and finishing that survives coolant and handling.
- IATF 16949
- 100% inspection
- Steel and aluminium
Medical and instrument parts
Stainless 316L, 17-4PH and titanium components with fine finishes and no trapped media. ISO 13485:2016 controls, documented inspection, controlled cleaning before packing.
- Ra 0.2–0.8 μm
- 316L / 17-4PH
- ISO 13485
FAQs
Questions Engineers Ask Before Sending a File
What file formats do you need for a custom quote?
STEP or IGES for the solid, plus a 2D PDF with the tolerance, finish and material callouts. If the drawing carries GD&T, send it. We quote against the drawing, not against the model alone.
A screenshot or a hand sketch is enough to start the conversation, but the quotation is written against the controlled drawing.
How tight can you actually hold on a custom part?
±0.005 mm is achievable on qualified features with the right material, wall thickness and setup count. That figure is not universal.
A long, thin part with a loose fixture will not hold that callout no matter which machine cuts it. We tell you at quote time which features can hold it and which cannot.
Can you machine one piece without a minimum order?
Yes. There is no minimum order quantity, so a single prototype is a normal order. The setup, first-article check and final inspection routine is the same as for a production run.
Where a single part is expensive, it is the setup and programming time, not the material.
Do you handle finishing or should I arrange it myself?
Anodizing, plating, bead blasting, brushing, polishing, powder coating, black oxide and laser marking are done in-house. Parts stay in our building between operations.
If your specification names a specific finish or a qualified processor, tell us at quote time and we will say whether we can meet it.
What is the difference between as-machined and a specified finish?
As-machined is Ra 1.6–3.2 μm. Deburring removes sharp edges, and tool marks stay visible. It is the default when no finish is called out.
A specified finish changes the surface, the dimension or both. Anodizing and plating build thickness, so threads and press fits need to be masked or sized for the coating.
How do you handle tolerances on thin walls?
We reduce radial depth of cut, support the wall from both sides where possible, and sometimes cut the part in a soft state before a stress-relief step. The sequence matters more than the spindle speed.
If a wall is under roughly 1 mm on aluminium, expect to discuss the callout with us before the order is released.
What quality documents come with the parts?
Raw material certificates, in-process records and a final inspection report are available on request. Every part is inspected before shipment.
The plant holds ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 27001:2022. Tell us which standard your program needs and we will confirm before quoting.
How do you protect my design?
Uploads are handled as confidential, and we can work under an NDA before you send files. The NDA is available on request, not only for large programs.
The plant also holds ISO 27001:2022 for information security management.
Send the Drawing, Get a Quote in 12 Hours
Upload a STEP file and a 2D drawing. You get a price and DFM notes in the same reply, with no minimum order quantity.
12-hour quoteNo MOQ100% inspectionNDA on request
