CNC Machining 101: Get to Know CNC Machining Basics
CNC machining is and has always been around us. Yet, surprisingly some people are not familiar with the manufacturing process. …
Get high-precision, accuracy, intricate machined parts with extremely complex geometries with our 5 axis CNC machining services. Competitive pricing and fast turnaround.
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Lead time
MOQ
Tolerances
RapidDirect’s 5-axis machining services offer unparallel speed and flexibility. With an extensive range of advanced 5-axis CNC machines and a long list of materials, RapidDirect has the capability to deliver the best 5-axis machined parts. Our experienced team and manufacturing capabilities help rapidly design and fabricate complex, time-sensitive components. With world-class equipment, expertise, and experience, RapidDirect uses two outstanding setups to provide precise, complex parts.
Fast, effective, and continuous 5-axis CNC machining with improved transitioning and surface quality. Here, we use 5-axis machining center that can continuously adjust the movements on all five axes without stopping. Our 5-axis CNC machining has intelligent functionalities to ensure efficient continuous processes and transitions.
Take advantage of the optimal 3+2 axis machining technology for your unique applications. The process keeps the part fixed in a specific orientation to allow the usual 3-axis machining process. Our 3+2 axis machining uses shorter, more rigid cutting tools to offer your parts better dimensional stability. Get complex CNC machined parts with tight tolerances at lower costs and cycle time.
Looking for an outstanding 5-axis CNC service? Upload your design files on our online platform and get an instant CNC machining quote in seconds. Our platform also gives you a free DFM analysis report to help you get the best out of the project. From quotation to delivery, you are in complete control.
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.
CNC machining is a computerized and versatile manufacturing process ideal for rapid prototyping and on demand production. Here are the custom CNC services available at the RapidDirect.
With our instant quotation platform and strong capacity, you can get excepted prototypes in short lead times. This allows you to quickly test prototype parts and get them to market.
Bridge-to-production is critical for closing the gap between the part design and the actual product rollout. No worries. Our professional engineering team is always ready to provide practical design suggestions for your low volume machined parts.
Our full service for on-demand production orders ensures that you get high precison and high standard of quality products. Enhanced production rate also allows for just-in-time delivery of production parts.
Our ISO 9001 certification shows that we fabricate 5-axis milled parts to meet the tightest tolerance requirements. Our standard tolerance for CNC-milled plastics is ISO-2768-m and ISO-2768-f for metals. Get high-quality and precise complex parts with top-notch dimensional stability.
Standards |
Metric Units |
Imperial Units |
Maximum Part Size | 300×200×100 mm | 11.8×7.7×3.9 in. |
Minimum Part Size | 4×4×4 mm | 0.1×0.1×0.1 in. |
Minimum Feature Size | Φ 0.50 mm | Φ 0.00197 in. |
Standard Tolerances | Metals: ISO 2768-f
Plastics: ISO 2768-m |
|
Linear dimension | +/- 0.025 mm | +/- 0.001 in. |
Hole diameters (not reamed) | +/- 0.025 mm | +/- 0.001 in. |
Shaft diameters | +/- 0.025 mm | +/- 0.001 in. |
Edge Condition | Sharp corner will be removed in the form of a chamfer or radius. The size of the chamfer, or resulting radii, must be indicated on the drawing. | |
Threads and Tapped Holes |
Standard size: Diameter: standard drill bit sizes; depth: 4×diameter Maximum size: Diameter: Φ 1 mm; depth: 10×diameter RapidDirect can produce threads of any specification and size required by our customers. |
|
Text |
For plastic and soft materials: minimum width of 0.457 mm, depth of 0.3 mm For hard material: minimum width of 0.838 mm, depth of 0.3 mm |
For plastic and soft materials: minimum width of 0.018 in., depth of 0.011 inch For hard material: minimum width of 0.033 in., depth of 0.011 inch |
RapidDirect can use CNC engraving or laser carving to create standard text based on customers’ requirements. | ||
Lead Time | 10 business days for less than 50 parts |
Our 5-axis milling services are compatible with a wide array of materials, ranging from metals to plastics. Depending on your applications, you can choose from the over 50 production-grade materials we offer at RapidDirect. See our list of 5-axis CNC machining materials. You can also contact us to discuss your unique requirements.
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 |
With an extensive list of surface finishes available, RapidDirect can enhance the surface quality of your 5-axis machined parts. Applying these finishes help improve the appearance of the components, their surface roughness, hardness, corrosion resistance, and more. They also hide visible tool marks on the products’ surfaces.
Name | Description | Materials | Color | Texture | Link |
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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>> |
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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>> |
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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 |
|
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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 |
|
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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 |
|
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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 implements strict quality control protocols to ensure that every client receives superior-quality products. We have dedicated workshops with state-of-the-art equipment for a wide range of operations. This way, we incorporate meticulous inspection in our 5-axis CNC machining processes.
Our 5-axis milling services is your best bet when it comes to manufacturing complex, highly precise components for a wide range of industries. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to accelerate the production of several components, including:
Check out our incredible line of well-functioning 5-axis machining centers ranging from the best 5-axis horizontal machining center to top-notch vertical machining centers. These are ideal facilities for manufacturing components for various industries. We combine advanced technologies with skilled technicians to deliver results to suit your needs perfectly.
At RapidDirect, we combine top-quality precision machining with excellent customer service. Enjoy our reliable 5-axis machining services to carry your project forward. Our experienced and skilled machinists use state-of-the-art milling machines to deliver highly precise components, regardless of the complexity.
We manufacture prototypes and low-volume production parts at high precision. Our CNC 5-axis milling services can achieve standard tolerances of +/- 0.05mm. However, we can also reach tighter tolerances of up to +/- 0.01mm.
Our machining centers can machine intricate parts with complex geometric features. With comprehensive material knowledge and 5-axis machining capabilities, we can manufacture components to meet your unique demands.
We boast a machine shop with 5-axis machining centers in-house. This capacity helps us create prototypes and low-volume production parts in days. Our simultaneous 5-axis machining allows continuous machining without stoppage, thereby ensuring faster production.
The 5-axis machining process gives quality as-machined surface finishes. Asides from this, the process is compatible with various surface finishing. We can apply surface finishes like plating, polishing, bead blasting, etc., on your 5-axis machined parts. These finishes offer better surface qualities and mechanical properties to the machined components.
Our online quotation platform allows you to easily upload your design files to get instant, free quotations. This prevents the strenuous back-and-forth that comes with the traditional ordering process. Furthermore, we will provide a free DFM analysis report to show you possible design errors that may make machining difficult. This will help you save costs and time.
RapidDirect provides experienced service engineers to answer all your 5-axis CNC service inquiries. Our experts are always on ground to deliver top-notch engineering support to help you get the best result from your project.
A customer’s words have a more substantial impact than a company’s claims – and see what our satisfied customers have said regarding how we fulfilled their requirements.
Hi, Fiona. I’d like to thank you and everybody at RapidDirect for contributing to the great service we received. You constantly handle our difficult CNC machining projects, and offer instant quotation and free DFM analysis for the part design. Best of all, you show superior quality in short lead times. Our department supervisor confirmed that you will continue making these parts now. The quality is outstanding!
Luc Szorc
– Mechanical Engineer
Our small R&D group requires high precision CNC machined parts within short periods. RapidDirect consistently delivers these parts at great values and quick turnarounds. The reliability of this company places them above our other part suppliers.
Kayne Espinosa
– Project Manager
We asked RapidDirect to fabricate parts for a critical supplier demo, and you came through with a short lead time. Your work is always high quality, and we are grateful for your precision in machining components. The help in checking our designs and material selection has also saved our company from making expensive errors. We look forward to doing future projects with you guys.
Hari Mackenzie
– Engineer
From the instant and accurate quotation to production process to the timely delivery of parts, RapidDirect responded to our demands with complete professionalism. They handled every aspect of this CNC machining project quickly and cost-effectively. We will surely work with them again in the future.
Mark Alford
– Chief Engineer
RapidDirect has been our quality supplier of CNC machined parts. Fast delivery is very important for our business, and RapidDirect always offers short lead time and competitive pricing. Andy responds fast to all our emails and questions. This has improved our working relationship, and we continue to value this partnership.
Piscary Herskovic
– Product Designer
Hi, Fiona. I’d like to thank you and everybody at RapidDirect for contributing to the great service we received. You constantly handle our difficult CNC machining projects, and offer instant quotation and free DFM analysis for the part design. Best of all, you show superior quality in short lead times. Our department supervisor confirmed that you will continue making these parts now. The quality is outstanding!
Luc Szorc
– Mechanical Engineer
Our small R&D group requires high precision CNC machined parts within short periods. RapidDirect consistently delivers these parts at great values and quick turnarounds. The reliability of this company places them above our other part suppliers.
Kayne Espinosa
– Project Manager
We asked RapidDirect to fabricate parts for a critical supplier demo, and you came through with a short lead time. Your work is always high quality, and we are grateful for your precision in machining components. The help in checking our designs and material selection has also saved our company from making expensive errors. We look forward to doing future projects with you guys.
Hari Mackenzie
– Engineer
From the instant and accurate quotation to production process to the timely delivery of parts, RapidDirect responded to our demands with complete professionalism. They handled every aspect of this CNC machining project quickly and cost-effectively. We will surely work with them again in the future.
Mark Alford
– Chief Engineer
RapidDirect has been our quality supplier of CNC machined parts. Fast delivery is very important for our business, and RapidDirect always offers short lead time and competitive pricing. Andy responds fast to all our emails and questions. This has improved our working relationship, and we continue to value this partnership.
Piscary Herskovic
– Product Designer
Hi, Fiona. I’d like to thank you and everybody at RapidDirect for contributing to the great service we received. You constantly handle our difficult CNC machining projects, and offer instant quotation and free DFM analysis for the part design. Best of all, you show superior quality in short lead times. Our department supervisor confirmed that you will continue making these parts now. The quality is outstanding!
Luc Szorc
– Mechanical Engineer
RapidDirect works with leading manufacturers from different industries to support growing demands and streamline their supply chain. The digitalization of our custom CNC machining services helps more and more manufacturers bring their idea to products.
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