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CapabilitiesCustom Online CNC Machining Services


CUSTOM ONLINE CNC MACHINING SERVICES

GET INSTANT QUOTES ON CUSTOM METAL AND PLASTIC MACHINED PARTS WITH OUR ONLINE
CNC MACHINING SERVICE. MAKE QUICK TURN PROTOTYPES AND PRODUCTION PARTS IN DAYS
WITH FREE STANDARD SHIPPING ON ALL US ORDERS. ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485 AND
AS9100D CERTIFIED. ITAR REGISTERED.

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covered by US Pat. Nos. 11,086,292 and 11,347,201. Other patents pending.

Machining Services

Materials

Finishes

Design Guidelines

CNC FAQs

Applications



WHY USE XOMETRY FOR CUSTOM ONLINE CNC MACHINING SERVICES?

Xometry provides a custom online CNC machining service to engineers, product
developers, designers, and more through our vetted network of 10,000+ suppliers.
Our highly qualified AS9100D machine shops can make any custom design, simple or
complex. We offer rapid prototyping, small-batch machining, and high-volume
production, with all orders serviced by Xometry from end to end. Upload a CAD
file to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine℠ to get a price, lead time, and
design-for-manufacturability feedback on your custom CNC parts. Our fast CNC
machining capabilities include services for metals and plastics and flexible
production and shipping options to meet you at the perfect price and product
development stage. 


Xometry assures the quality of your machined parts with our ISO 9001:2015, ISO
13485, and AS9100D certified quality management system, ITAR registration, and
options to add inspections, hardware traceability, material certifications, and
CoCs. We accept technical drawings and have support teams to ensure you get
quality CNC machined parts on time.

Use the 3D viewer above to preview Xometry’s part rendering features.
 Start Your New Instant Quote


WHAT IS CNC MACHINING?

CNC, or computer numerical control machining, is a widely used manufacturing
process that uses automated, high-speed cutting tools to form designs from metal
or plastic stock. Standard CNC machines include 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis
milling machines, lathes, and routers. Machines may vary in how CNC parts are
cut—the workpiece may remain in place while the tool moves, the tool may remain
in place while the workpiece is rotated and moved, or both the cutting tool and
workpiece may move together. 


Skilled machinists operate a CNC machine by programming tool paths based on the
geometry of the final machined parts. The part geometry information is provided
by a CAD (computer-aided design) model. CNC machines can cut almost any metal
alloy and rigid plastic with high precision and repeatability, making custom
machined parts suitable for nearly every industry, including aerospace, medical,
robotics, electronics, and industrial. Xometry provides CNC services and offers
custom CNC quotes on over 40 materials ranging from commodity aluminum and
acetal to advanced titanium and engineered plastics like PEEK and Teflon.




CUSTOM CNC MACHINING SERVICES: MACHINING, TURNING, AND MILLING


CUSTOM CNC MILLING SERVICES

CNC milled prototypes and production parts in days | AS9100D | ISO 9001:2015 |
ISO 13485 | ITAR Registered | Free standard shipping on all US orders
Start Your New Instant QuoteCustom CNC Milling Services


CNC TURNING SERVICE

CNC turned prototypes and production parts in days | AS9100D | ISO 9001:2015 |
ISO 13485 | ITAR Registered | Free standard shipping on all US orders
Start Your New Instant QuoteCNC Turning Service


GET FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR THE PARTS YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS.

Learn More

CNC Machining Tolerances

FeatureDescription
Feature

Maximum Part Size

Description

Milled parts up to 80” x 48” x 24” (2,032 x 1,219 x 610 mm). Lathe parts up to
62” (1,575 mm) length and 32” (813 mm) diameter.

Feature

Standard Lead Time

Description

3 business days

Feature

General Tolerances

Description

Tolerances on metals will be held to +/- 0.005" (+/- 0.127 mm) in accordance
with ISO 2768 unless otherwise specified. Plastics and composites will be +/-
0.010”.

Feature

Precision Tolerances

Description

Xometry can manufacture and inspect to tight tolerances per your drawing
specifications including GD&T callouts.

Feature

Minimum Feature Size

Description

0.020” (0.50 mm). This may vary depending on part geometry and chosen material.

Feature

Threads and Tapped Holes

Description

Xometry can accommodate any standard thread size. We can also machine custom
threads; these will require a manual quote review.

Feature

Edge Condition

Description

Sharp edges are broken and deburred by default

Feature

Surface Finish

Description

The standard finish is as-machined: 125 Ra or better. Additional finishing
options can be specified when getting a quote.

We are able to offer a precision machining service with a wide array of
tolerances. The table below depicts the general tolerances for CNC machining:

For more information please see this guide to our manufacturing standards.


Metal CNC Machining Materials
CNC Machining Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum 6061

Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 2024

Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 7050

Aluminum 7075

Aluminum MIC-6

Learn more about aluminum for CNC machining.


CNC Machining Copper Alloys

Copper 101

Copper C110

Learn more about copper for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Bronze Alloys

Copper C932

Learn more about bronze for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Brass Alloys

Copper 260

Copper 360

Learn more about brass for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Stainless Steel Alloys

Nitronic 60 (218 SS)

Stainless Steel 15-5

Stainless Steel 17-4

Stainless Steel 18-8

Stainless Steel 303

Stainless Steel 316/316L

Stainless Steel 416

Stainless Steel 410

Stainless Steel 420

Stainless Steel 440C

Learn more about stainless steel for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Steel Alloys

Steel 1018

Steel 1215

Steel 4130

Steel 4140

Steel 4140PH

Steel 4340

Steel A36

Learn more about steel for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Titanium Alloys

Titanium (Grade 2)

Titanium (Grade 5)

Learn more about titanium for CNC machining.

CNC Machining Zinc Alloys

Zinc Alloy

Learn more about zinc for CNC machining.

Custom

We can source additional alloys and tempers from within our network of 10,000
machine shops. If you do not see the material stock you are looking for, please
choose "Custom" under the material drop-down in the Xometry Instant Quoting
Engine℠. You can then submit your quote for manual review and our expert
manufacturing team will reach out.

Plastic CNC Machining Materials
ABS

High-strength engineering plastic used for many commercial products.

Learn more about ABS for CNC machining.

Acrylic

A clear glass-like plastic. Good wear and tear properties. Great for outdoor
use.

Learn more about acrylic for CNC machining.

Delrin (Acetal)

Resin with good moisture resistance, high wear-resistance, and low friction.

Learn more about Delrin for CNC machining.

Garolite G10

Constructed of an epoxy resin with fiberglass fabric reinforcement, and also
called epoxy-grade industrial laminate and phenolic, this material offers high
strength and low moisture absorption.

Learn more about garolite G10 for CNC machining.

HDPE

High-density polyethylene is a moisture and chemical-resistant plastic with good
impact strength. The material is outstanding for outdoor applications as well as
watertight containers or seals.

Learn more about HDPE for CNC machining.

Nylon 6/6

Offers increased mechanical strength, rigidity, good stability under heat and/or
chemical resistance.

Learn more about Nylon 6/6 for CNC machining.

PC (Polycarbonate)

With almost twice the tensile strength of ABS, polycarbonate has superior
mechanical and structural properties. Used widely in automotive, aerospace, and
other applications that require durability and stability.

Learn more about PC for CNC machining.

PEEK

Offering excellent tensile strength, PEEK is often used as a lightweight
substitute for metal parts in high-temperature, high-stress applications. PEEK
resists chemicals, wear, and moisture.

Learn more about PEEK for CNC machining.

Polypropylene

Has excellent electrical properties and little or no moisture absorption. It
carries light loads for a long period in widely varying temperatures. It can be
machined into parts requiring chemical or corrosion resistance.

Learn more about polypropylene for CNC machining.

PTFE (Teflon)

This material surpasses most plastics when it comes to chemical resistance and
performance in extreme temperatures. It resists most solvents and is an
excellent electrical insulator.

Learn more about PTFE for CNC machining.

UHMW PE

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. A general-purpose material. It offers
a unique combination of wear and corrosion resistance, low surface friction,
high impact strength, high chemical resistance, and does not absorb moisture.

Learn more about UHMW-PE for CNC machining.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (Type 1) is a highly chemical-resistant synthetic plastic,
PVC is commonly in environments exposed to liquids or requires electrical
insulation.

Learn more about PVC for CNC machining.

Custom CNC

We can source additional CNC plastics from within our network of 10,000 machine
shops. If you do not see the material stock you are looking for, please choose
"Custom" under the material drop-down in the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine℠.
You can then submit your quote for manual review and our expert manufacturing
team will reach out.

Slide 1 of 4






CNC Threads


CNC Machining Finishes
Standard (As-Milled)

The finish option with the quickest turnaround. Machined parts are left with
visible tool marks and potentially sharp edges and burrs, which can be removed
upon request. CNC machining surface finish is comparable to 125 uin Ra finish.

Bead Blast

The part surface is left with a smooth, matte appearance.

Tumbled

This is a batch-based process that tumbles vibrating media to remove sharp edges
and burrs on CNC parts. Tumbling can remove machine marks on exterior surfaces.
Parts over 8” may require a manual review.

Anodized (Type II Or Type III)

Type II  (MIL-A-8625, Type II) creates a corrosion-resistant finish. Parts can
be anodized in different colors—clear, black, red, and gold are most common—and
is usually associated with aluminum. Type III (MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 1/2
"hardcoat") is thicker and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the
corrosion resistance seen with Type II.

Titanium Anodize

A surface finish for titanium per AMS-2488 Type 2 specification. Also called
Tiodize, this finish increases fatigue strength and the wear resistance of a
part. Titanium anodized parts are common in aerospace and medical device
manufacturing. Non-pigmented titanium anodize finishes will dull shine.

PTFE Impregnated Hard Anodize

A hard coat anodize process that embeds PTFE to create a self-lubricating, dry
contact surface with Type 3 hard coat’s protective properties. This finish can
be used on aluminum alloys or titanium and increases the service life of the
product. This finish conforms to the AMS-2482 Type 1 Hard Coat Anodizing with
Teflon (Non-Dyed).

Chem Film (Chromate Conversion Coating)

Provides corrosion resistance and good conductivity properties. Can be used as a
base for paint. Can leave surface yellow/gold. Adds very little thickness, about
0.00001”-0.00004”. Chem film will conform to MIL-DTL-5541, TYPE I/II.

Passivation

Improves corrosion resistance for 200 and 300 series and precipitation hardened
corrosion-resistant steels. Thickness is negligible, about 0.0000001”. Conforms
to ASTM A967, AMS-QQ-P-35, MIL-STD-171, ASTM A380, or AMS 2700.

Powder Coat

This is a process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part that is then baked
in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is
more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are
available to create the desired aesthetic.

Electropolishing

An electrochemical process cleans steel parts to reduce corrosion and improve
appearance, by making the metal brighter. Removes about 0.0001”-0.0025” of the
metal. Conforms to ASTM B912-02.

Electroless Nickel Plating

Provides uniform nickel coating which offers protection from corrosion,
oxidation, and wear on irregular surfaces. The finished part will be brighter.
Thickness starts at .0001”. Conforms to MIL-C-26074.

Silver Plating

Silver offers high solderability and electrical conductivity but is susceptible
to tarnish. Conforms to AMS QQ-S-365D. Thickness is about 0.00002” - 0.0003.”

Gold Plating

Gold Plating provides good corrosion and tarnish resistance with excellent
solderability. Default application specification is MIL-G-45204 and ASTM B488,
CLASS 00, 0, OR 1. Thickness is about 0.00002" - 0.00005."

Zinc Plating

Provides uniform zinc coating which offers protection from corrosion, oxidation,
and wear on irregular surfaces. Conforms to ASTM B633-15.


CNC Machining Design Guidelines

FeatureDescription
Feature

Internal corner fillets

Description

Design internal corner fillets to be 0.020” - 0.050” greater than a standard
drill size for the radii. Follow a drill diameter to depth ratio of 1:6 (1:4
recommended) as a guideline for internal corner radii.

Feature

Floor fillets

Description

Design floor fillets smaller than corner fillets to allow the same tool to clear
material from the interior.

Feature

Undercuts

Description

Always design undercuts to standard sizes and away from corners so they are
accessible by the cutting tool.

Feature

Tapped/threaded hole depth

Description

Provide tool clearance slightly beyond the tapped hole depth to ensure complete
threads.

Feature

Complexity

Description

Keep the number of small cuts to a minimum to reduce CNC machining costs; only
design in the necessary features to balance function with aesthetic.

To see more CNC machining resources, view our CNC Machining Design Guide.


CNC Machining FAQs
How does CNC machining work?

CNC machining uses subtractive processes, which means feedstock is machined to
its final form by subtracting and removing material. Holes are drilled, lots and
pathways are bored, and metal stock is shaped into new material with varying
tapers, diameters, and shapes.


For subtractive manufacturing, shapes are achieved by the subtraction of
material. This contrasts with other types such as additive manufacturing — where
materials are added, layered, and deformed to a specified shape. It also
contrasts with injection molding where the material is injected in a different
state of matter, using a mold, and formed to a specified shape.


CNC machining is versatile — and can be used with various materials, including
metals, plastics, wood, glass, foam, and other composite materials. This
versatility has helped make CNC machining a popular choice across industries,
enabling designers and engineers to fabricate products efficiently and
precisely.

How does CNC machining differ from traditional machining?

In traditional machining, a skilled machinist operates a machine, removing or
forming metal. This is done according to specifications provided by designers
and engineers, usually through an engineering drawing or blueprint. They use
turn wheels, dials, switches, chucks, vices, and a variety of cutting tools made
of hardened steel, carbide, and industrial diamond, then use measurement
instruments to ensure all of the dimensions are correct.


CNC machining performs the same function as traditional machining — metal
cutting, drilling, milling, boring, grinding, and other metal forming and
removal functions — but CNC machines use computer numerical control rather than
manual control by a machinist. It is automated, driven by code, and developed by
programmers. It is about as precise the first time of cutting as the 500th.
Widely used in digital manufacturing (and sometimes in low-volume production
runs), it can be revised and altered for modifications and different materials.


This type of machining is much more precise and has superseded traditional
machining (though not entirely) in manufacturing, fabrication, and industrial
production. It uses mathematical coordinates and computing power to achieve the
same end with the greatest accuracy. Specifically, computer numerical control
uses Cartesian coordinates. These are spatial coordinates — in several
dimensions — using coordinates and axes. The automation of cutting tool machines
controls its cutting, boring, drilling, or other operation using the numerical
control of a computer that reads the coordinates. These coordinates were
designated by engineers in the product’s digital drawing and design.

What industries use CNC machining?

CNC machining is widely used across industries. It is common in aerospace,
automotive, consumer electronics, robotics, agriculture, and other fields that
frequently use metal parts. It is also widely used in medical devices, household
goods, energy, oil and gas, and other consumer applications. It is one of the
most common manufacturing processes in the world.

What is the history of CNC machining?

During World War II, the United States was quickly churning out ships, aircraft,
and vehicles for the military. And even once the war ended, production kept up
as the country experienced a post-war boom in home construction, infrastructure
expansion, and transportation. Naturally, engineers and designers needed tools
to help them efficiently meet the growing demand for industrial products.


Enter CNC machining. John T. Parsons, who worked in the production of helicopter
rotor blades, was one of the first people to champion CNC machining. He and his
colleagues at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio used interpolation
curves, which could be applied to machining with computational methods, to
achieve the complex tapers required for rotor blades. As Parsons’ company got
called upon to make more and more complex aircraft parts, they turned to
computational methods and cnc machined parts to achieve their desired shapes.


This was partly the genesis of CNC machining. Building off of Parsons’
innovations, MIT’s Servomechanisms Laboratory later developed a working machine
able to use computational methods to fabricate precise machine parts. Their
servo-mechanisms were able to use the Cartesian coordinates — the numerical
control — to steer the machine and its moving parts, to fabricate with automated
precision. Such automation only grew more sophisticated through the rest of the
twentieth century and continues to develop today.

What are your inspection options for CNC machining?

We offer (6) different inspection options on the Modify Parts window under the
Inspection tab in the quoting platform. All machined and sheet metal parts will
receive a standard inspection included in the part price and lead time. See more
on our inspections and sampling.

What are your tolerances for machined parts?
 * +.005”/-.005” local tolerances across most geometries in metals, +/- 0.010"
   for plastics.  Will vary for large parts, specifically when holding flatness
   over large parts after heat treatment. 
 * Finish requirements for “As Milled” finish will have a minimum 125 surface
   finish for CNC parts.
 * All fabricated parts have a 0.010” dimensional and 1° angular tolerance.
 * Tapped holes not explicitly called out as Features on the quoted CAD model
   may be machined to the diameters specified in that model.
 * No surface treatments (e.g. anodize, bead blast, iridite, powder coat, etc.)
   will be applied unless you have paid for them and we have specifically
   acknowledged them.

What are your CNC machining & turning capabilities?

Xometry has significant CNC capabilities in machining through our shop services
and the Manufacturing Partner Network. In general, here are some guidelines for
machine size but if you do have a quote that pushes to RFQ please make sure to
request a quote review so we can take a look!

‣ 5 Axis Machining up to 26″
‣ 4 Axis Machining up to 36″
‣ 3 Axis Machining up to 60″
‣ Dual Spindle Lathes with 32″ Swing, 18″ Max Diameter, and 8″ Chuck
‣ Wire EDM with a part depth of 18″

Do you offer Quick-Turn CNC Machining?

Yes! Xometry offers fast lead times on quick-turn parts, with many parts
available in 3-4 days.  We offer an expedite option, and our team works closely
with you to meet your most urgent deadlines.


ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES OF CNC MACHINING

Advantages of CNC Machining

CNC milling and turning are highly accurate and repeatable processes. Tight
tolerances between +/-0.001″ – 0.005″ can be achieved, depending on
specifications. Machines can be programmed to reliably run for 24 hours, 7 days
a week if necessary, so CNC milling is a good way of getting parts produced on
demand.


Using standard tooling, a CNC machining service is particularly valuable for
creating one-off parts, custom CNC parts, i.e., for replacing legacy
components or delivering a specialized upgrade to a customer. It is also
conceivable to scale single-part production to runs exceeding 10,000 units.
Depending on the unit number, size, and complexity, the turnaround for CNC
machined parts can be as short as one day. With shipping and delivery, deadlines
can be met within a week.


Another primary advantage of CNC technology is its achievable mechanical
properties. By cutting away from bulk material, rather than thermally
transforming it as in injection-molding or additive manufacturing, all desirable
mechanical properties of the metal or plastic of choice are retained. More than
50 industrial-grade metals, alloys, and plastics can be machined using CNC
milling and turning. This selection includes aluminum, brass, bronze, titanium,
stainless steel, PEEK, ABS, and zinc. The only material requirement for CNC
machining is that the part has an adequate hardness to be fixtured and cut.

Challenges of CNC Machining

One trade-off when taking advantage of the high performance of CNC machining
processes is that geometric complexity comes at a cost. Simple, chunky parts are
the best designs for CNC milling and turning. There will always be some design
limitations due to tool access, although the degree of this effect is relative
to the number of axes on the machine. In other words, the more axes used, the
more complex the features can be achieved.


Another trade-off is that start-up CNC machining costs can be expensive. It is
necessary to have a trained professional perform the setup, tool loading, and
programming on CNC mills and lathes. Luckily this cost is fixed, so by taking
advantage of the same setup for multiple parts, it becomes more economical.
Saving money is also achieved by keeping part repositioning to a minimum.
Machining at 5-axis and above can sometimes be more economical on multi-faceted
geometries because it eliminates the need to manually reposition the part.


The wire EDM method of machining can be slow and expensive relative to other
processes, and the range of materials that can be used is shortened as they must
be electrically conductive.




CNC MACHINING APPLICATIONS


RAPID TOOLING

Because CNC machining can cut a high variety of fully dense, durable materials
like aluminum 5052 and stainless steel, it is perfect for creating fixtures or
molds.


RAPID PROTOTYPING

The range of affordable metal alloys (like aluminum 6061) and plastics (like
acetal or ABS) combined with the speed of our skilled machinists makes our
online CNC machining services a great option for prototyping.


END-USE PRODUCTION

Performance-enhancing finishes, precision tolerances as low as +/- 0.001”, and
certifiable material options make CNC machining an excellent technology for
end-use parts.


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