CNC Milling: Definition, Processes, Applications
CNC milling involves cutting a workpiece using computerized and multipoint cutting tools. Known for its accuracy and precision, the process is …
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The extremely high level of precision needed within the aerospace industry makes CNC machining a suitable manufacturing process for the sector.
This article provides you with a complete guide to aerospace machining and its importance.
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If you want to produce high-quality machined parts with a sleek appearance, it’s essential to consider some critical factors related to CNC machining.
Here, we’ve gathered some basic information and important considerations to help you achieve the desired results.
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On-demand CNC milling services for rapid prototypes and production parts. Get custom milled parts from various high-quality metals and plastics.
From 3-axis basics to intricate 5-axis projects, our precision CNC milling makes your designs come alive with unmatched accuracy and craftsmanship.
With 3-axis CNC milling, precision meets affordability. It’s your go-to for simple parts that still demand accuracy.
Think of a design, and 4-axis milling can probably make it. Multi-sided machining just got a whole lot simpler.
For those complex and intricate parts, 5-axis milling is the master key. It’s all about bringing your most ambitious designs to life.
Check out our extensive gallery that shows precision milled prototypes and parts from our valued customers.
Upload your design and experience smart CNC milling quotes in seconds and all-in-one management for rapid and digital manufacturing without hesitation.
Get instant CNC quotes in a minute by simply uploading your design files. Our big data quoting engine calculates CNC machining quotes instantly and provides you with competitive prices.
Our platform built with an advanced machine learning algorithm can automatically identify part geometry that may be difficult to machine. Give you a comprehensive design-for-manufacturing analysis for your custom CNC parts within minutes.
Quickly check, search, and manage all your CNC orders in one place. What's even better is that you get visibility into all stages of the production process and every aspect of the manufacturing operation.
Our journey-driven CNC milling will guide you from your initial idea straight through to a perfectly produced final product. It’s precision and care, every step of the way.
Transform CAD designs into final CNC-milled prototypes quickly with RapidDirect. Test and refine your concepts, reduce costly milling errors, and accelerate your product’s time-to-market.
Seamlessly transition from prototype to CNC milling production. With RapidDirect’s Bridge Production, ensure smooth transition phases, mitigate risks of scaling, and maintain consistent quality throughout.
Respond to market needs with precision CNC milling on-demand. RapidDirect ensures you meet deadlines, manage inventory efficiently, and produce high-quality components exactly when needed.
RapidDirect ensures precision with our CNC Milling Tolerance standards. We commit to exact measurements, benefiting clients with consistent, high-quality results, optimized for search visibility. Our standard tolerances for CNC milled metals are ISO 2768-m and ISO 2768-c for plastics.
Type | Tolerance |
Linear dimension | +/- 0.025 mm
+/- 0.001 inch |
Hole diameters (not reamed) | +/- 0.025 mm
+/- 0.001 inch |
Shaft diameters | +/- 0.025 mm
+/- 0.001 inch |
Part size limit | 950 * 550 * 480 mm
37.0 * 21.5 * 18.5 inch |
At RapidDirect, our CNC milling service offers a diverse range of materials, ensuring precision and durability. This vast selection empowers our clients with optimal choices for their unique projects, boosting their product’s quality and performance.
Aluminum is a highly ductile metal, making it easy to machine. The material has a good strength-to-weight ratio and is available in many types for a range of applications.
Price: $
Lead Time: < 10 days
Tolerances: ±0.125mm (±0.005″)
Max part size: 200 x 80 x 100 cm
Copper displays excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and plasticity. It is also highly ductile, corrosion resistant and can be easily welded.
Price: $$$
Lead Time: < 10 days
Wall Thickness: 0.75 mm
Tolerances: ±0.125mm (±0.005″)
Max part size: 200 x 80 x 100 cm
Brass has desirable properties for a number of applications. It is low friction, has excellent electrical conductivity and has a golden (brass) appearance.
Price: $$
Lead Time: < 10 days
Wall Thickness: 0.75 mm
Tolerances: ±0.125mm (±0.005″)
Max part size: 200 x 80 x 100 cm
Stainless steel is the low carbon steel that offers many properties that are sought after for industrial applications. Stainless steel typically contains a minimum of 10% chromium by weight.
Price: $$
Lead Time: < 10 days
Wall Thickness: 0.75 mm
Tolerances: ±0.125mm (±0.005″)
Max part size: 200 x 80 x 100 cm
Titanium has a number of material properties that make it the ideal metal for demanding applications. These properties include excellent resistance to corrosion, chemicals and extreme temperatures. The metal also has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Price: $$$
Lead Time: < 10 days
Wall Thickness: 0.75 mm
Tolerances: ±0.125mm (±0.005″)
Max part size: 200 x 80 x 100 cm
Plastics are also very popular option for CNC machining because of its wide choices, relatively lower price, and significantly faster machining time needed. We provide all common plastics for CNC machining services.
POM | PEEK | HDPE | PET |
Nylon | PTFE | PVC | PP |
ABS | PC | PMMA |
Gain access to quality surface finishing for custom CNC milled parts to remove aesthetic flaws and improve the appearance of your products. We also provide rigid protection and additional resistance and strength to your parts through superior surface finishes.
Name | Description | Materials | Color | Texture | Link |
Anodizing | Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, enhancing wear resistance and hardness, and protecting the metal surface. Widely used in mechanical parts, aircraft, and automobile parts, precision instruments, etc. | Aluminum | Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold. | Smooth, matte finish. | Learn More>> | |
Bead Blasting |
Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications and can be followed by other surface treatments. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | Matte | Learn More>> | |
Powder Coating | Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint which is delivered via an evaporating solvent, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with ultraviolet light. | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel |
Black, any RAL code or Pantone number |
Gloss or semi-gloss |
||
Electroplating | Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common. |
Aluminum, steel, stainless steel |
n/a |
Smooth, glossy finish |
|
|
Polishing |
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. The process produces a surface with significant specular reflection, but in some materials is able to reduce diffuse reflection. |
Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a |
Glossy |
||
Brushing |
Brushing is a surface treatment process in which abrasive belts are used to draw traces on the surface of a material, usually for aesthetic purposes. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | satin |
RapidDirect’s advanced 5-axis CNC milling produced the Iron Man Suit exoskeleton, enhancing human strength. Despite challenges like oblique hole grooves, their precision resulted in four impeccable lats and deltoid components from aluminum, demonstrating elite industrial equipment mastery.
With RapidDirect’s CNC milling service, you’re investing in more than just machinery. You get the promise of impeccable precision, adherence to tight schedules, and the support of seasoned professionals.
No need to write a quote request email, get instant CNC quotes by simply uploading your design files. Secure an immediate, detailed estimate tailored to your CNC milling requirements, eliminating guesswork and kickstarting your project efficiently.
Experience unparalleled precision in each undertaking. Our advanced milling processes ensure components adhere to tight tolerances, as tight as ±0.01mm, resulting in seamless assembly and operational excellence.
Accelerate your manufacturing cycle. RapidDirect domestic workshops and state-of-the-art machinery guarantee fast turnaround times, helping businesses maintain momentum and meet critical deadlines.
No matter you whenever and whereever, navigate your CNC milling projects with confidence. Our seasoned specialists offer insightful guidance at every step, maximizing design optimization and output quality.
RapidDirect works with vertical, horizontal, and multi-axis milling machines. The vertical milling machine is highly accurate equipment that carries out 3-axis milling, suitable for vertical surfaces and angular shapes.
Our horizontal milling machines perform 4-axis milling and are suitable for heavy milling operations. Our multi-axis milling machines can move along different axes and cut at various angles. They include 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC milling machines.
Yes, you can combine both manufacturing processes to reinforce your custom parts. Printed parts can be milled to achieve dimensions with tight tolerances or to meet surface quality requirements. Intelligently combining these two methods can ensure faster manufacturing, less waste, and lower costs. It even achieves higher accuracy and precision, repeatability, and sustainable production.
At RapidDirect, we can produce highly complex and intricate rapid prototypes and low-volume production parts. The CNC milling process is suitable for a wide selection of materials for various applications. Our CNC milling service can achieve standard tolerances of +/- 0.05mm. However, tighter tolerances of up to +/- 0.01mm are also possible.
The major difference between CNC milling and CNC lathe is in their machining process. CNC milling involves rotating the cutting tools against a stationary bar stock or workpiece. In contrast, a CNC lather works by rotating the bar stock or workpiece against a stationary tool. CNC milling is more suitable for machining irregular and flat surfaces, while CNC lathes work best for cylindrical or conical parts.
CNC milling involves cutting a workpiece using computerized and multipoint cutting tools. Known for its accuracy and precision, the process is …
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