Precision CNC Milling Services
Instant quotes for precision-milled metal and plastic components. Rapid prototyping and production parts delivered in days. Global prototype pricing inclusive of tariffs. Certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949:2016, and AS9100D standards. ITAR registered.
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High Quality Rapid CNC Milling Service
Mekalite seamlessly connects with a global network of over 10,000 qualified manufacturing partners, including ITAR-registered and AS9100D-certified CNC milling facilities. This extensive network ensures that, regardless of your part’s complexity, we have the expertise and equipment to produce it. We offer 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis, and right-angle milling capabilities to efficiently transform your designs from simple linear features to intricate geometric forms.
Mekalite provides instant pricing, flexible lead times, and expert design-for-manufacturability feedback on materials and processes for your custom CNC-milled components, tailored to any industry. Request your instant quote today. Prototype pricing includes tariffs and standard shipping costs.
Custom CNC Machining Materials
Materials Available at Mekalite
| Aluminum | Bronze/Brass | Copper | Plastics | Steel / Titanium / Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aluminum 5052 | Brass C360 | EPT Copper C110 | ABS | Alloy Steel 4130, 4140 |
Aluminum 7075 & 7075-T6 | Brass 260 | Copper 101 | Acetal [Delrin] | ASTM A36 |
Aluminum 6063-T5 | C932 M07 Bearing Bronze | Acrylic | Stainless Steel 15-5, 17-4, 18-8, 303 | |
Aluminum 7050-T7451 | G-10 Garolite | Stainless Steel 303, 304, 316/316L | ||
Aluminum MIC-6 | Nylon 6/6 | Stainless Steel 416, 420 | ||
Aluminum 6061-T6 | PEEK | Steel, Low Carbon | ||
Aluminum 2024-T3 | Polycarbonate | Steel A36 | ||
PTFE [Teflon] | Titanium Grade 2, Titanium 6Al-4V, Zinc Sheet Alloy 500 | |||
Polypropylene | ||||
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene |
Additional alloys and tempers are available upon request. We can source to your project specifications. If you do not see your alloy or material listed on our platform, please select “Other” and write in that specific material.
Custom Sourced Materials
Mekalite offers a wide range of custom CNC-milled parts, including metal and plastic options, with instant online quotes. If your desired material is not listed, select “Other” from the material drop-down on the quote page and submit your specifications, including features, tolerances, inspection requirements, and quantities, for a prompt expert engineering review.
Available Finishes
As-Milled
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.
Bead Blast
The part surface is media blasted, typically using glass bead, to produce a smooth, matte appearance.
Anodized (Type II Or Type III)
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.
Powder Coat
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.
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Applications of CNC Milling
Rapid Tooling
Because CNC can be applied to virtually any material, it is perfect for rapid tooling, i.e., creating fixtures or molds.
Rapid Prototyping
The range of materials available, low CNC machining costs per unit, and speed of production makes CNC a great option for prototyping.
End-Use Production
High-quality finish, vast material options and precise tolerances have made CNC a favorable technology for end-use parts.
Advantages of CNC Milling
High Precision: Achieves tight tolerances (±0.001 inches) for complex, accurate parts.
Material Versatility: Machines metals, plastics, and composites for diverse applications.
Complex Geometries: Supports 3- to 5-axis milling for intricate designs in one setup.
Efficiency: Automated processes ensure fast, consistent production with minimal errors.
CNC Milling Tolerances & Standards
| Description | General Tolerance or Standard |
|---|---|
Maximum Part Size | Milled parts up to 80” x 48” x 24” (2,032 x 1,219 x 610 mm). |
Distance Dimensions | For features of size (Length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) +/- 0.005”. |
Orientation and Form Dimensions | 0-12″ +/- 0.005″, Angularity 1/2 degree. For 24″ and beyond please consult Xometry’s Manufacturing Standards. |
Precision Tolerances | Xometry can manufacture and inspect to tight tolerances, including sub +/- 0.001″ tolerances, per your drawing specifications and GD&T callouts. |
Minimum Feature Size | 0.020” (0.50 mm). This may vary depending on part geometry and chosen material. |
Threads and Tapped Holes | Xometry can accommodate any standard thread size. We can also machine custom threads; these will require a manual quote review. |
Surface Finish | The standard finish is as-machined: 125 Ra or better. Additional finishing options can be specified when getting a quote. |
Edge Condition | Sharp edges will be broken and deburred by default. Critical edges that must be left sharp should be noted and specified on a print. |
Please check out Mekalite’s Manufacturing Standards for more information on tolerances per process. Unless we have agreed to other tolerances in your Quote, we will work to achieve and hold the tolerances noted.
What is CNC Milling?
CNC milling is a subtractive manufacturing process in which a computer-controlled machine removes material from a solid workpiece to create complex shapes with high precision. At its core, the process involves a rotating cutting tool—typically an end mill or ball nose tool—that traverses along predefined tool paths, removing layers of material progressively until the desired geometry is achieved.
The term CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. This indicates that the machine’s operations are directed by numerically coded instructions known as G-code. G-code commands control movement along coordinate systems—most commonly the Cartesian system with X, Y, and Z axes, though sometimes also polar coordinates—ensuring that the tool’s movement relative to the workpiece is executed with exactitude. Typical G-code sequences include commands like G90 for absolute positioning, G00 for rapid positioning, and G01 for linear feed operations.
CNC milling begins with a design phase where a detailed part is created using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, and subsequently, the design is converted into machine-readable instructions via CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software. Often, the CAD model is exported to an STL file format and then sliced into layers, with each slice defining the contours that form the tool paths used during the milling process. This transformation into G-code enables the precise and automated control of the milling operations through numerical commands.
Milling operations themselves are generally segmented into two primary phases: roughing and finishing. During roughing, large volumes of material are removed efficiently using aggressive cutting parameters. This is followed by finishing passes that remove a thinner layer of material to refine the surface quality and ensure tight tolerances are met. The selection of appropriate cutting tools, such as flat end mills for roughing and ball nose tools for finishing, is critical in optimizing the quality and precision of the final part.
Modern CNC milling machines incorporate additional complexities such as automatic tool changers, multiple axes (including potential rotary axes), and advanced control systems that may integrate IoT capabilities. These features enable not only higher production speeds and repeatability but also real-time monitoring and decentralized control, paving the way for Industry 4.0 applications. At the same time, simpler CNC milling setups continue to be effective for low-volume production, tool room work, or maintenance tasks.
Historically, CNC milling evolved from manual machining methods, with early numerical control systems requiring labor-intensive programming. Advances in CAM software have significantly reduced the complexity involved in generating the G-code required for these machines, thereby lowering the barrier to entry and making CNC milling accessible for rapid prototyping applications despite its inherent subtractive nature.