Guide in Progress
CNC Machining Sourcing
Milling and turning for prototypes through production runs: materials, tolerances, surface finish, and the specification package that gets you accurate quotes from Chinese machine shops.
Planned coverage
- Processes: milling, turning, and multi-axis work — what each is suited to.
- Commonly machined materials and how to specify them without ambiguity.
- Tolerances and surface finish: how to mark critical dimensions and where looser tolerances save money.
- The drawing and data package shops expect: CAD formats, GD&T, thread callouts, and notes.
- Prototype vs. production quoting, and how lead times scale with quantity.
In progress. This working draft is not yet verified. Material references, tolerance figures, and any process details will be researched from primary sources and dated before publication. verified content coming soon.