CNC Machining
When the part needs to be metal — aluminium, brass, or hardwoods — CNC delivers tolerances and surface finish that 3D printing can't.
Capabilities
- 3-axis milling
- Aluminium 6061, 7075
- Brass C360
- Hardwoods (teak, walnut, oak)
- Engineering plastics (Delrin, POM, nylon)
- Tolerances to ±0.05mm
How we make it
- 01
CAD & DFM review
Send a STEP file with critical tolerances called out. We flag draft, undercuts, and any geometry that costs more than it should.
- 02
Material selection
Aluminium 6061/7075, brass C360, Delrin, POM, or hardwoods — we pick stock that matches the application's mechanical and aesthetic spec.
- 03
Toolpath programming
CAM programming with the right tooling, feeds, and speeds for the material and surface finish you need.
- 04
CNC machining
3-axis milling with tolerances down to ±0.05mm. Cutting fluid, climb cuts, and finish passes for a clean surface straight off the machine.
- 05
Inspection & finishing
First-article inspection with digital calipers and pin gauges. Optional bead blast, brushed, or anodised finishes before delivery.
3D printing is brilliant for shape and complexity. CNC wins on material and tolerance — when you need a part to be actual metal with precise dimensions, FDM and SLA can’t compete.
Materials we machine
- Aluminium 6061 / 7075 — structural brackets, fixtures, prototype enclosures
- Brass C360 — premium hardware, decorative trim, signage badges
- Engineering plastics — Delrin, POM, nylon for low-friction wear parts
- Hardwoods — teak, walnut, oak for premium product casings and fixtures
When CNC over 3D printing
- The part is load-bearing and metal is the right answer
- You need ±0.05mm tolerance on mating surfaces
- The volume is 5–50 units where each one matters
- Surface finish from machining is part of the design intent (polished aluminium, brushed brass)
When 3D printing wins instead
- Complex internal geometry that’s machine-impossible
- Quick prototype iteration where 3-day CNC turnaround is too slow
- Single-unit demonstration parts where appearance matters more than mechanical strength
How to spec a CNC job
Send a STEP file with tolerances called out where they matter. We’ll respond with a quote and any DFM (design-for-manufacturability) flags within the same business day.
Related work
