15 years one-stop China custom CNC machining parts factory
The VMT blog is dedicated to sharing our hard-earned knowledge in prototype manufacturing. We hope these articles will help you optimize your product designs and gain deeper insight into the world of rapid prototyping. Enjoy the read!
Get an Instant Quote
All uploads files are safe and confidential
VMT 
2026 03 27 A514 steel, also we say astm a514 steel, is an excellent low-alloy steel with quite good yield and tensile strength properties——so you can also call it a514 structural steel. Supply of the steel is mostly the tempered a514 t1 steel plate, as this form is also our clients preferred to make it produce to parts via CNC machining——We don’t machine the annealed a514 steel but the a514 t1 steel which has enhanced its yield and tensile strength. Requirements of high stress, high load-bearings, and high friction can be held by a514 CNC machined parts.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 26 Black phosphate coating is a go-to surface finish for giving CNC-machined steel parts a professional, matte black look. However, it’s not the only solution available—treatments like black oxide and black zinc plating can closely mimic this same "blacked-out" appearance. If you’re currently trying to navigate the trade-offs between cost, durability, and performance for your steel components, and are trying to determine if black phosphate is the right fit for your project, this guide is for you. We’ll dive into the black phosphate process and provide a clear comparison with its alternatives to help you choose the most economical and high-performing finish.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 25 When we talk about "Hardening and Tempering Steel," hardening specifically means quench hardening. It's the process where you quench the steel to change its internal structure and hit that maximum hardness level. But since hardening alone makes the steel too brittle, we follow it up with tempering. This brings back some ductility so the parts don't just snap. This combo is a must for high-hardenability steels where the part hardens all the way through—it’s the best way to make sure a part is both wear-resistant and " parts’ tough recovers a bit" so as to not to crack easily under pressure.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 24 The choice between low and high hardenability determines whether your CNC machined steel parts achieve a "hard shell with a tough core" or a "solid, uniform consistency." Misidentifying the hardenability of a steel grade can lead to critical failures—either the core lacks sufficient strength, leading to snaps, or the entire part becomes too brittle and cracks, resulting in wasted budget and mechanical failure. This article will explore what is hardenability in depth and explain how the Jominy hardenability test measures this property to help you select the best steel grades for various CNC machining applications.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 23 H13 Hot-Work Tool Steel (AISI H13 / DIN 1.2344) is globally recognized as a high-strength, chromium-based alloy steel, engineered for exceptional red hardness and thermal fatigue resistance. Beyond its ability to withstand extreme thermal shocks, it is a premier material for CNC Machining to high-durability molds and industrial tools. H13 stands out in the tool steel category for its ability to achieve a superior surface finish while offering relatively high machinability. Whether you are sourcing an H13 equivalent grade or looking to optimize the machining parameters for H13 components, this guide provides an in-depth analysis—from core material properties to precision cutting details.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 22 Dive into the world of aluminum tempers with this comprehensive guide. Learn about the different temper designations, their properties, uses, and the manufacturing processes that optimize aluminum for various industrial applications.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 21 Anodizing processes like Type II or Type III often add relatively a little higher thickness, which can compromise assembly precision. They cannot match the performance of Type I Chromic Acid Anodizing, which achieves a high corrosion resistance standard of 336 hours in ASTM B117 salt spray tests (meeting MIL-A-8625 military standards) with a thickness of only 1.2μm - 5μm.
66
Read more
VMT 2026 03 20 When joining two pieces of metal, choosing the right thermal process is critical for the integrity of the final product, as well as the durability and aesthetics of the joint. While they may look similar to the untrained eye——both processes use a filler metal to join base materials without melting them, brazing vs. soldering involves different temperatures, filler metals, and mechanical properties. In this guide, we will dive deep into how these processes work, their impact on CNC machined parts, and which one you should choose for your project.
66
Read more
+86 15099911516
