The Digital Thread

Compare the features of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery and how they influence part quality. Find out how to get the most out of CNC machining and how technological developments affect the performance of your designs.

Discover why engineers are selecting 5-axis indexed milling for their parts. This blog looks at the advantages of 5-axis indexed milling.

CNC machining, where precision meets innovation. In this blog we'll explore the macroscopic number of technical terms that shape the landscape of CNC machining, and dismantle them - to gain a true understanding of their meaning.

Slide bearings are a critical component in many engineering applications, they provide a smooth, low-friction surface that allows parts to move back and forth multiple times, with a long service life. This blog covers materials to consider for slide bearings.

While CNC Milling has been around for more than 50 years, the technology is moving on and recent advances see automation of the entire process, from design right through to finished part. Such advances make it a technology that is readily available to all, for high or low volume quantities, prototyping to final parts and with lead times of as short as a day.

As the world’s leading digital manufacturer, we have added Aluminium 5083-H111 (3.3547 or AlMg4.5Mn0.7) to our range of over 40 stocked metal and plastic materials for our fast turnaround CNC service. The material is widely used in extreme environments with its high magnesium content making it highly resistant to saltwater and industrial chemicals.

Our new CNC Flexible Lead Time option puts you in control of when you want your CNC parts shipped and how much you pay.

Understanding CNC manufacturing costs

We’ve launched a big block rapid CNC machining service for aluminium 6082 parts. With a reliable shipping time as fast as 1 day from the initial CAD upload, we can now mill from blocks of up to 559mm x 356mm x 95mm.

If you need to protect your aluminium part from a harsh working environment or even just add a decorative finish, then anodising could well be the answer.