Top Quality Precision Machining Services
While we are known for fast lead times, we understand that some project requirements outweigh the need for speed. We machine precise parts under our ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality systems, offering multiple finishing and reporting options tailored for high-end specifications. Precision machining is an excellent choice when you need lower quantities with strict part requirements, and our production lead times can still 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 ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in.) as standard, with select 5-axis and EDM work capable of ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in.) on critical features
- Tolerances adhere to ISO 2768*
- Fulfillment of quality requirements (including CoC, FAI, and ISO 9001)
- Fully machined features (no material left behind)
*For parts being manufactured through our network of manufacturing partners, we hold 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 ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in.) are possible on select features but must be clearly indicated in 2D drawings, subject to process review.
Design Guidelines for Precision Machining
Maximum Dimensions
| 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
| 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
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Brass
- Bronze
- Steel
- Tool Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Titanium
- Mild Steel (sourced through network)
- Inconel (sourced through network)
- Invar (sourced through network)
- ABS
- Acetal
- Acrylic
- CPVC
- Delrin
- Delrin AF PTFE
- HDPE
- Nylon
- PEEK
- PEI (Ultem)
- 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 ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in.) as standard, with select features to ±0.001 mm
- 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.
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
- ISO 13485
- 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)
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.