CNC machining service for custom parts

High-quality CNC Machining prototypes delivered in days, not months

Looking for quick and reliable CNC Machining prototyping or production services? Look no further. Receive a free quote within hours, and get high-quality parts delivered to you in just days.

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All uploads are secure and confidential

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CNC Machining for a wide range of materials

We have a range of machines and can create prototypes in plastics and metals with CNC Machining.

Perfect for

Material specificity resembling final product

High precision and accuracy with tight tolerance levels

When high surface finish is important for functionality

Functional rather than visual or dimensional prototypes

Prototypes matching the final product

Durable prototypes from solid materials

Plastics CNC Machining prototype manufacturing

CNC Machining in ABS, PA (Nylon), Polycarbonate (PC), PEEK, PEI (Ultem), PET, PMMA (Acrylic), POM (Acetal/Delrin), Polypropylene (PP), PPE/PS, PPSU, PS, PSU, PTFE (Teflon), PVC, and UHMW.

cnc plastice sample

Metals CNC Machining prototype manufacturing

CNC Machining in Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel and Titanium.

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CNC Machining cost and pricing

The exact cost and price of your CNC Machining prototype depend on factors such as size, material choices, shipping options, and the complexity of your prototype. Click the button below to obtain an accurate cost estimate for your project.

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How to order

Using our streamlined process

Step 1
3D printing bike parts
.step
.igs
.sldprt
etc
Send us your design file and get a quote

To get started, just request a quote and upload your 3D CAD file, specifying your manufacturing preferences. Within a few hours, we will get back to you with a fair, real-time price.

Step 2
factory staff operating a injection molding machine
Order your prototype and we will manufacture it for you

Once you review the quote and place your order, we'll start the manufacturing process. Our digital manufacturing process allows us to produce parts as quickly as in one day.

Step 3
Quality control
Prototype is quality inspected and expertly packed

Our team conducts rigorous quality inspections on all parts and ensures they are securely packed for delivery.

Step 4
receive 3d printed parts
Receive the parts

We ship the prototypes to you via your preferred shipping option.

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Industrial 3D printing

We make modern manufacturing techniques accessible to everyone

400 precision-engineered machines and a dedicated team of 500 professionals are ready to meet your unique 3D printing and prototype production needs – seven days a week.

No order is too small or too big. Get parts within days.

We manufacture small to medium batches

Whether you need just a few parts or a few thousands, we help you acquire your parts for a fair price.

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With a fair price, you can experiment more

With ProtoAnything, you get more value for your 3D printing and prototyping budget. Order multiple versions featuring different colours, finishes, and designs, allowing you to make an informed decision while finalising your choice.

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a staff working by the cnc machine
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Expert assistance with ProtoAnything

Expert assistance and help

Our expert team is here to assist you with a wide range of services. Here are a few examples of what we can help you with:

DFM analysis

We offer Design for Manufacturability Analysis to ensure your product is optimised for efficient and cost-effective production. Our expert team identifies and resolves design issues that could complicate the manufacturing process.

3D scanning of parts

Our 3D scanning service captures the precise shape of any physical object, creating an accurate digital model. This tool is invaluable for quality control, inspection, and part replication.

Reverse engineering

We provide a comprehensive reverse engineering service, deconstructing and analysing products or components to understand their functionality. This service is ideal for improving designs, replicating discontinued parts, or studying a competitor's product.

Consultancy

Our expert team can help you with everything you need. Just contact us and we will provide you with the support and assistance you require.

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Rapid manufacturing and delivery

We can manufacture and deliver in as little as 5 days

High quality 3D printing

High quality

All our 3D printing and rapid prototyping services are of exceptional quality and undergo expert inspection before delivery

Fair pricing with ProtoAnything

Fair price

We offer fair prices and don’t compromise on quality

General questions

What is CNC Machining and prototyping?

CNC machining, or Computer Numerical Control machining, is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses pre-programmed computer software to control the movement of machinery and tools. The process begins with a digital design file, which is converted into a set of instructions or code (G-code) for the CNC machine. The machine then uses this code to precisely cut, mill, or drill material such as metal, plastic, or wood, to produce the final part or product. CNC machining offers numerous advantages, including high precision, scalability, wide material selection, and compatibility with both prototyping and production.

Prototyping, in this context, refers to the creation of a preliminary or scaled-down version of a product or part before proceeding to full-scale production. CNC machining is often used as a preferred method for prototyping due to its ability to produce highly accurate and functional prototypes directly from digital models.

By combining CNC machining technology with prototyping, product designers and engineers can create tangible and functional prototypes that closely resemble the final product. This enables early testing, validation, and iteration of the design, leading to more efficient and cost-effective product development processes.

CNC machining and prototyping have become invaluable tools in various industries including manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, product design, consumer goods and more. Its capabilities allow for the creation of complex designs that would be challenging or impossible to achieve with other manufacturing methods. Furthermore, CNC machining often offers a more cost-effective solution, particularly for medium to large production runs.

CNC machining starts with a digital design, usually created in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program. The design is then converted into a format that the CNC machine can understand. There are several different types of CNC machining technologies. Here are some of the most common types:

  • Milling: CNC milling is a process that employs computerized controls and rotating multi-point cutting tools to progressively remove material from the workpiece and produce a custom-designed part or product.
  • Turning: CNC turning is a manufacturing process in which bars of material are held in a chuck and rotated while a tool is fed to the piece to remove material and create the desired shape.
  • Drilling: CNC drilling is a process where holes are produced by a rotating cutting tool in the part that is fixed on the table.

These are just a few examples of CNC machining technologies, each with its own advantages, materials compatibility, and applications. The selection of the appropriate technology depends on the specific requirements of the project, including desired materials, level of detail, and production volume.

What are the advantages of CNC Machining prototype manufacturing as compared to traditional manufacturing methods?

Precision and Accuracy: CNC machining is known for its high precision and accuracy. It can produce parts with tight tolerances and excellent repeatability, making it ideal for creating complex parts that require a high level of precision. This level of accuracy is often difficult to achieve with other manufacturing methods.

Scalability: CNC machining is highly scalable, making it suitable for both small and large production runs. Once the initial setup is complete, parts can be produced in large quantities with consistent quality. This scalability makes CNC machining a cost-effective solution for mass production.

Material Versatility: CNC machining can work with a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. This versatility allows for the production of parts with specific material properties, such as strength, durability, or heat resistance, that are required for different applications.

Speed: While the speed of CNC machining may not match that of additive manufacturing methods like 3D printing for single prototypes, it is often faster for producing large quantities of parts. The ability to quickly produce multiple high-quality parts makes CNC machining a valuable solution for projects with tight deadlines.

Rapid Prototyping: CNC machining enables the quick creation of prototypes directly from digital models, significantly reducing the time between the initial design stage and the prototype stage. This rapid prototyping capability allows for faster iterations, design validation, and product development cycles.

Cost-efficiency: While CNC machining does require initial setup costs, it becomes more cost-effective as the production volume increases. The cost per part decreases with larger production runs, making CNC machining a cost-effective solution for mass production.

Integration and complexity: CNC machining can produce parts with complex external and internal geometries that would be challenging to achieve with other manufacturing methods. It can also produce parts with integrated features, reducing the need for assembly.

On-demand manufacturing: With CNC machining, parts can be produced as needed, reducing the need for large inventories and long lead times. This flexibility in manufacturing reduces storage and inventory costs and allows for quicker response to market changes.

How much does CNC machining cost?

The cost of CNC machining can vary depending on several factors. The price is influenced by the complexity of the design, the size of the part to be machined, the material used, and the CNC machining technology employed. Additionally, the quantity of items to be machined, the desired level of detail, and requirement for any post-machining operations can also influence the cost. Post-machining operations refer to the additional steps or processes that are performed on a CNC machined part to refine, finish, or enhance the final appearance, functionality, or characteristics of the machined part after it has been removed from the CNC machine.

All these factors are why it is essential to consider the specific requirements of your project when estimating the cost of CNC machining. To obtain an accurate quote for your CNC machining project, we recommend reaching out to our team at ProtoAnything. You can provide us with your 3D CAD file and manufacturing preferences, and we will promptly provide you with a fair real-time price for your project. Our goal is to offer cost-effective solutions while ensuring high-quality results for all your CNC machining needs.

What factors should I consider when choosing a CNC machining technology for my project?

When selecting a CNC technology, consider the size, complexity, and intricacy of the parts, along with desired material properties like strength, temperature, and corrosion resistance, and finishing requirements. CNC milling suits robust, high-strength parts with complex geometries, while CNC turning is ideal for parts with rotational symmetry. Assess which material aligns best with your project's needs, and also keep your budget in mind. With this information, you can make an informed decision about the most suitable CNC machining technology for your project.

What are the advantages of using CNC machining for manufacturing prototypes or parts?

Using CNC machining to manufacture prototypes or parts has several advantages. These include high precision, cost-effectiveness (especially for large volumes), design flexibility (because it enables the creation of complex geometries), and scalability for mass production. This is the reason it is used across industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and more.

What are the recommended file formats for CNC machining?

For CNC machining, it is typically required to provide a 3D model file in a specific format. The formats Step (.stp/.step), Solidworks (.sldprt), and IGES (.igs/.iges) are highly recommended. These formats retain the complete geometric data, including design structures, assembly information, and other intricate details of the model. This parametric information makes them suitable for design storage, collaboration, and engineering purposes. Starting with Step, Solidworks, or IGES files ensures that the original design's integrity is preserved, reducing the risk of data loss or inaccuracies during machining. By uploading your design in one of these formats, you facilitate a smoother transition into the CNC machining workflow, resulting in more accurate machined parts.

Can large parts be machined in a CNC machine?

The size of a part that can be CNC machined depends on the capabilities of the specific CNC machining technology and equipment used. The maximum machinable size can vary significantly between different CNC machines. Desktop CNC machines have a limited machining volume, typically suitable for creating small to medium-sized parts. Industrial CNC machines have much larger machining volumes, often capable of producing larger parts, making them suitable for industrial and architectural applications. 

In which industries is CNC machining commonly utilized?

CNC machining, or computer numerical control machining, finds applications in a diverse range of industries. It is used for rapid prototyping, custom manufacturing, manufacturing tooling, aerospace, automotive, healthcare, architecture and more. The technology's precision and scalability enable the transformation of digital designs into physical objects, offering customization and innovation across various sectors.

For more detailed information on CNC machining prototype manufacturing, you might find these papers interesting:

Our confidentiality promise

We understand the sensitive nature of prototyping and handle all of your proprietary information with the utmost caution, from file sharing through information handoff and manufacturing. If you require an NDA please click here to use ProtoAnything standard NDA or send your own NDA to quotes@protoanything.com and we will review and sign.