Precision CNC Machining for Functional Prototypes and End-use Parts

Get improved tolerances, fully machined features, and detailed inspections

You know us as the fastest manufacturing supplier of machined parts, but sometimes your project requirements outweigh the need for speed. We machine highly precise parts with multiple finishing and reporting options—just what you need for parts with high-end specifications.

Precision machining makes sense when you need lower quantities with higher part requirements. Lead times still can be as few as 10 days!

Advantages of Precision Machining

Machining complexity often brings with it high-level requirements. To ensure that your parts meet your needs, we include design feedback from applications engineers. You’ll also get:

  • Tolerances as tight as +/-0.002 in. (0.0508mm)
  • Tolerances adhere to ISO 2768
  • Fulfillment of quality requirements (including CoC, FAI, ISO 9001, and AS9100)
  • Fully machined features (no material left behind)

Design Guidelines for Precision Machining

Maximum Dimensions

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3-axis Milling 36 in. x 24 in. x 13 in.
5-axis Milling 16 in. x 16 in. x 16 in.*
Turning 10 in. x 18 in.


*Raw block weight limit up to 75 lbs.

3-axis Milling 914.4mm x 609.6mm x 330.2mm
5-axis Milling 406.4mm x 406.4mm x 406.4mm*
Turning 254mm x 457.2mm


*Raw block weight limit up to 75 lbs.

Other Design Considerations
  • Maximum block/stock weight: 75 pounds (34.02kg)
  • 3D CAD file preferred; prints are accepted for additional specification

Minimum Dimensions

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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
 Feature 0.0156 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
Feature .396mm
Wall Thickness 1.016mm**

*Minimum material thickness for plastic and steels: 3.175mm

** Material and geometry dependent.

CNC Parts

Enhanced Machining Capabilities with Protolabs Network

Get anodizing, tighter tolerances, and volume pricing options through our manufacturing partners at Protolabs Network. You'll find plating (black oxide, nickel), anodizing (Type II, Type III), and chromate coating at scale; tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm); and cost-efficient machined parts at higher volume.  

Try Protolabs Network

If you have any issues getting your guide, click here to download.

Designing for CNC Automation

Our new guide helps you prepare your CAD models to ensure that they breeze through our end-to-end digital manufacturing process. With our guidelines, even highly precise parts can be machined fast.

Materials

Metals
Plastics

  • Additional materials are available based on vendor inventory
  • Materials softer than 50 shore D and harder than HRC 32 not offered

Capabilities

  • Linear tolerances as tight as = +/- 0.002 in.
  • 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.

Finishing and Post-Processing

  • Additional plating
  • Anodizing
  • Basic assembly
  • Chromate plating
  • Cleaning
  • Electroless nickel plating
  • Part marking
  • Passivate
  • Powder coating
  • Press fit and hardware
  • Silk screening

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 3.035-40 SM3 M7.0 x 1.0 5/16-18 6/16-24 M10 x 1.50
5/16-18 1/4-28 2.035-36 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   M12 x 1.75 1/2-13 1/2-20 M16 x 2.0
1/2-13 7/16-20   M14 x 2.0     M18 x 2.5
  1/2-20   M16 x 2.0     M20 x 2.5
      M18 x 2.5      
      M20 x 2.5      

 

Quality Documentation

  • Certificate of Conformance (CoC) to customer specifications
  • First Article Inspections (FAIs)
  • Material certification and heat lot numbers
  • AS9100
  • ISO 9001


CERTIFICATIONS

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.

Precision machined parts without sacrificing speed

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