
Choosing the Right Finish for Your CNC Machined Parts
With the wide variety of surface finishes and treatments offered by Xometry, we've got your parts covered
Using the latest CNC machines, Xometry produces highly accurate, quick turn parts in as fast as 1 day.
Offers high-precision tolerances ranging from +/-0.001″ – 0.005″, depending on customer specs.
Select from a variety of finishes on solid metal parts, built to precise design specifications.
CNC Machining is perfect for production of 1-10,000 parts.
Choose from over 50 metal and plastic materials. CNC Machining offers a wide variety of certified materials.
The Xometry Manufacturing Partner Network gives you production capacity and diverse machining capabilities for EDM parts with even the tightest tolerances, most complex internal geometries, or augmented process requirements.
Get an instant quote or learn more about aluminum.
Get an instant quote or learn more about brass.
Get an instant quote or learn more about copper.
Get an instant quote or learn more about plastics.
Get an instant quote or learn more about steel.
Get an instant quote or learn more about titanium.
The finish option with the quickest turnaround. Parts are left with visible tool marks and potentially sharp edges and burrs, which can be removed upon request. Surface finish is comparable to 125 uin Ra finish.
The part surface is left with a smooth, matte appearance.
Type II creates a corrosion-resistant finish. Parts can be anodized in different colors—clear, black, red, and gold are most common—and is usually associated with aluminum. Type III is thicker and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the corrosion resistance seen with Type II.
This is a process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part which is then baked in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic.
Don’t see the finish you need? Submit an RFQ and we’ll look into a finishing process for you.
Because CNC can be applied to virtually any material, it is perfect for rapid tooling, i.e., creating fixtures or molds.
The range of materials available, low cost per unit, and speed of production makes CNC a great option for prototyping.
High-quality finish, vast material options and precise tolerances have made CNC a favorable technology for end-use parts.
CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machining is a means to remove material with high precision machines, using a wide variety of cutting tools to create the final design. Common CNC machines include vertical milling machines, horizontal milling machines, lathes, and routers.
To successfully make a part on a CNC machine, skilled machinists create programmed instructions using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software in conjunction with the CAD (Computer Aided Design) model provided by the customer. The CAD model is loaded into the CAM software and tool paths are created based on the required geometry of the manufactured part. Once the tool paths are determined, the CAM software creates G-Code (machine code) that tells the machine how fast to move, how fast to turn the stock and/or tool, and where to move the tool or workpiece in a 5-axis X, Y, Z, A, and B coordinate system.
There are several types of CNC machine — namely the CNC lathe, CNC mill, CNC router, and Wire EDM
With a CNC lathe, the part stock turns on the spindle and the fixed cutting tool is brought into contact with the workpiece. Lathes are perfect for cylindrical parts and are easily set up for repeatability. Conversely, on a CNC mill the rotating cutting tool moves around the workpiece, which remains fixed to a bed. Mills are all-purpose CNC machines that can handle most any machining process.
CNC machines can be simple 2-axis machines where only the tool head moves in the X and Z-axes or much more complex 5-axis CNC mills, where the workpiece can also move. This allows for more complex geometries without requiring extra operator work and expertise. This makes it easier to produce complex parts and reduces the chance of operator error.
Wire Electrical Discharge Machines (EDMs) take an entirely different approach to CNC machining in that they rely on conductive materials and electricity to erode the workpiece. This process can cut any conductive material, including all metals.
CNC routers, on the other hand, are ideal for cutting soft sheet materials such as wood and aluminum and are more cost-effective than using a CNC mill for a similar job. For harder sheet materials such as steel, a waterjet, laser, or plasma cutter is required.
The benefits of CNC machining are numerous. Once a tool path is created and a machine is programmed, it can run a part 1 time, or 100,000 times. CNC machines are built for precise manufacturing and repeatability which makes them cost-efficient and highly scalable. CNC machines can also work with a variety of materials from basic aluminum and plastics to more exotic materials like titanium — making them the ideal machine for almost any job.
Xometry's massive partner network means that whatever your part, we have a shop and a machine that can make it. We integrate seamlessly with over 2,500 vetted manufacturing partners in the U.S. including ITAR qualified facilities. With such a high volume of qualified shops and certified materials available, using Xometry takes the guesswork out of part sourcing. Our partners support the latest in rapid CNC machining, routing, and turning processes, can support a high level of part complexity and provide exceptional surface finishes. We can also machine and inspect to any 2D drawing, always ensuring you have the CNC machined parts you need, at-quality and on time.
CNC Machining is crucial in many industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, industrial machinery, medical, robotics, and R&D. These machines are also vital to other manufacturing processes. For example, the molds required for Injection Molding are CNC machined to ensure the precision of both the mold and the plastic part it makes.
Aerospace and Defense
Automotive
Consumer Products
Education
Electronics
Energy
Industrial
Medical and Dental
Robotics
CNC machining is one of the fastest ways to build functional prototypes, product molds, low to high volume production runs, and fixtures.
Learn how to design your parts for CNC machining to ensure high quality and cost-effective results. Download your free guide today.
With the wide variety of surface finishes and treatments offered by Xometry, we've got your parts covered
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