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CNC Machining - Production
CNC Low Volume Production
Whether you require prototyping or low volume production, our facilities are optimised to meet your needs while upholding the highest standards of quality and reliability.
With our dedication to excellence and decades of experience, we ensure that each component meets your specifications with consistency and accuracy.
For our CNC production work, the following production criteria needs to be taken into account.
Materials
We primarily work with aluminium and engineering plastics. While the grade of aluminium is not strictly specified, we commonly stock 6082. Our engineering plastics include black and white acetal/Delrin, chosen for their rigidity, which is essential for our machining processes. Materials like PTFE are not suitable for our operations.
Billet sizes
Our machines are configured to handle two main billet sizes: 150mm x 100mm x 90mm and 150mm x 50mm x 40mm. It’s crucial that parts fit within these billet dimensions for processing. Additionally, the maximum part bounding box size should be smaller than the billet dimensions to facilitate material removal from all sides. However, we can accommodate smaller parts with a range of billet sizes available.
Part geometry
We offer flexibility in part geometry, with machining capabilities spanning 3, 4, or 5 axis movements. This includes both 3 + 2 and full 5 axis simultaneous movements, ensuring versatility in manufacturing complex components.
Tolerance
Accuracy is paramount in our operations. Parts are machined to a standard tolerance of ±0.1mm, unless otherwise specified. If provided with drawings, we strictly adhere to the specified tolerances. We can achieve dimensional tolerances of ±0.05mm, with the exception of holes, which can be machined down to ±0.02mm.
Limited factors
Certain limitations apply to part design. Square internal corners in the XY plane cannot be machined; instead, a radius must be left in these areas. The size of the radius depends on part geometry and accessibility. Keyways are an exception and can be broached, provided there’s an undercut for relief.
Finishing options
Our commitment to quality extends to finishing processes. All parts undergo deburring to eliminate sharp edges and are washed to remove grease and oils, ensuring a clean final product. Additionally, we offer vapour honing and bead blasting services to remove machining marks and improve surface finish. Vapour honing, which includes water in the process, results in a cleaner final product. Plating/anodising services are also available, although these are subcontracted to trusted partners.
Inspection
Quality assurance is integral to our processes. Parts can be inspected according to customer requirements. As a standard practice, we inspect the first part, last part, and critical dimensions of every tenth part. Inspection reports are available upon request.
Considerations
While adherence to the above criteria is preferred, we understand that some flexibility may be necessary in part dimensions. We can cater for small increases in these dimensions for batch sizes exceeding 100 parts, however additional robot programming and setup time may be required, which will be factored into the unit pricing.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready to go further with CNC Machining Low Volume Production, request a quote using the form below.
To discuss your project with our team, or to book a tour of our facilities, please contact us on 01763 249760.
Request a Quote
Please Note: requests for our 3-Day production speed must meet our 3-Day criteria. All final data for our 3-Day production speed is required by 4.30pm.
To request a quote for any of our other technologies/services, such as Vacuum Casting, Model Making and Laser Cutting, please complete this contact form.
CNC Low Volume Production FAQ
What is CNC Low Volume Production?
CNC low volume production is the manufacture of small batches of parts using CNC machining. It’s ideal when you need consistent, high-quality parts but don’t require the quantities associated with full production methods like injection moulding.
What materials can you use for CNC Low Volume Production?
We work with the same wide range of plastics and metals available for CNC prototyping. This ensures you get the right balance of performance, finish and cost for your production run.
We keep a stock of commonly used materials in-house, including:
- Aluminium alloy 6082
- Stainless steel, AISI grade 304
- Stainless steel, AISI grade 316
- Acetal (Delrin)
- Acrylic (PMMA)
Other materials are available quickly from our suppliers including a large array of different engineering plastics.
When should I choose CNC low volume production instead of injection moulding?
CNC low volume production is often the best choice when you need production-quality parts without tooling investment, or when your design may still change. Injection moulding is more efficient for larger repeatable batches, but CNC machining is flexible and cost-effective for small runs.
What quantities count as 'low volume'?
There’s no fixed minimum or maximum, but typically customers order anywhere from a handful of parts up to a few hundred, sometimes even into the thousands. If you’re unsure, our team can advise on the most efficient approach for your project.
What is the maximum size you can machine for low volume?
We typically use our 5-axis VMCs for our low volume production work. These machines are configured to handle two main billet sizes: 150mm x 100mm x 90mm and 150mm x 50mm x 40mm. However, we can accommodate smaller parts with a range of billet sizes available. If in doubt, it’s best to speak to us about your specific needs.
Is CNC Low Volume Production cost effective?
Yes. It removes the need for tooling, keeping costs manageable while delivering consistent, production-quality parts. It’s particularly cost-effective for bridge manufacturing before moving into full-scale production.
How fast can you deliver production parts?
We typically offer flexible production speeds for CNC production parts, depending on part complexity and batch size, as well as our capacity at the time. Timescales will be confirmed as part of the quotation / ordering process.
Can you repeat orders?
Absolutely. Many customers use CNC low volume production for regular or repeat orders. Because your CAD data is already held in our secure system, reordering is quick and straightforward.
Do you use CNC machining for injection moulding tooling?
Yes. All our injection mould tooling is produced in-house using CNC machining. This allows us to adapt quickly if your design changes and ensures the tooling is accurate, durable and optimised for your project.
What industries use CNC low volume production?
We support industries such as medical, aerospace, automotive and consumer products where high-quality parts are required in smaller volumes, often for trials, pilot runs or ongoing low-volume supply.
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CNC Machining team
Our CNC machining team produce accurate, high quality parts with an excellent finish from our suite of CNC machines. Request a quote for your next prototype part.
Ian Reinemann
Senior CNC Manager
Kieran Green
CNC Programmer
Dan Summerfield
CNC Programmer
Michal Mikolajczyk
CNC Team Leader
Glenn Watts
CNC Operator / Setter
Carl Sheppard
CNC Programmer/Setter/Operator
James Llewellyn
Trainee CNC Operator Setter