Memphis CNC Processing Service Guide

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  Key takeaways
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  Matching the part to the process
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  Tolerance: read the drawing before the quote
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  Setup count and how it drives cost
• 5
  Material and finish: what the shop can actually hold
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  Certifications, order size and lead time
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  Seven steps to screen a Memphis CNC processing quote

The first thing to settle in Memphis CNC processing is which dimensions actually need tight tolerance. A print covered in ±0.005 mm callouts is not the same job as a print with three tight bores and the rest at ±0.1 mm. Send the print and say which dims are functional.

Machining to ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) is routine on our 5-axis and mill-turn centers, but it costs time. Finishing passes get slower, and the part may need temperature soak before final inspection. Spend that money only where it changes how the assembly works.

Surface finish follows the same logic. Ra 0.2–0.8 μm needs a separate finishing pass and often a different tool. Ra 1.6–3.2 μm comes off the machine with normal parameters. If a mating face only needs to sit flat, asking for Ra 0.4 μm just adds cost.

One practical test: ask the shop which dimensions they will inspect and with what. A shop that answers with gauge names and a sampling plan has read the print. A shop that says "we hold the tolerance" has not.

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  Mark functional dimsCircle the dims that affect fit, sealing or balance.
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  Split the tolerance bandsTight on the bores, loose on the clearance faces.
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  Set finish per surfaceRa 0.8–1.6 μm covers most mating faces.

Every time a part leaves the fixture, error stacks up. Two setups on a manual vise can add 0.02–0.05 mm of position error that no amount of spindle accuracy removes. This is why setup count matters more than machine brand on complex parts.

A 5-axis machine reaches five faces in one setup. That is the main reason to specify it, not raw speed. For a housing with bores on three faces, one 5-axis setup replaces three 3-axis operations and three chances to lose position.

Ask the shop to list the setups in the quote. If a shop cannot say how many setups a part needs, the price is a guess. On our side, a typical 5-axis job runs one or two setups; a complex mill-turn part can run one.

There is a limit. Very large parts may not fit a rotary table, and deep cavities still need long reach tools. In those cases, plan a second setup and budget for it instead of chasing a single-setup number.

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  Ask for the setup listNumber of setups, fixture type, datum for each.
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  Check the swingØ400 mm rotary table covers most housings.
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  Watch long toolsDeep cavities deflect. Plan a second op.

Material choice changes the cutting strategy, not just the price. Aluminum 6061 and 7075 machine fast and hold tight tolerance well. Stainless 316 and 17-4PH work-harden, so feeds and speeds have to be managed or the tool rubs. Titanium TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) and Inconel need low cutting speeds and plenty of coolant.

For Memphis CNC processing quotes, name the alloy and temper, not just "aluminum" or "steel". 6061-T6 and 6061-O behave differently. 304 and 316L differ in corrosion resistance and in how they chip. The grade decides the tool path.

Finish goes on top of that. Anodizing in clear, color or hardcoat, electroless nickel, zinc and silver plating, powder coating and black oxide all have thickness. Hardcoat anodize can build 25–50 μm per surface, which matters on a thread or a press fit.

Laser marking needs a minimum character height of 1.5 mm to stay legible. If your part number is smaller than that on the print, adjust it before quoting, not after.

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  Name the temper6061-T6, not just 6061.
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  Account for coating buildHardcoat can add 25–50 μm per side.
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  Check marking size1.5 mm minimum character height.

Certifications are a filter, not a badge. ISO 9001:2015 covers general quality management. IATF 16949:2016 applies to automotive and EV parts. ISO 13485:2016 is the one medical device buyers look for. ISO 27001:2022 covers information security, which matters if you send CAD files.

Order size is the next filter. Some shops quote a high setup fee and push you toward 5,000 pieces. We run no minimum order quantity, from one prototype to 10,000+ piece runs, so a single bracket and a production batch go through the same process.

Lead time has three parts: quote, production start and shipping. Our quotation and DFM analysis come back within 12 hours, production can start within 24 hours, and parts ship in 3–5 days. Ask any shop to break the number down the same way.

Confidentiality belongs in this list too. Uploads are secure and confidential, and an NDA is available on request. If a supplier hesitates on an NDA for a medical or defense part, treat that as a signal.

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  Match the cert to the industryIATF 16949 for auto, ISO 13485 for medical.
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  Ask for the lead-time splitQuote, start, ship are three different numbers.
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  Sign the NDA earlyBefore CAD files change hands.