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Custom CNC milling
Aluminium, stainless steel, steel or plastic: upload your drawing and get a quote for milled parts, from single pieces to series.
CNC milling at a glance
CNC milling is a process in which a rotating tool removes material from a fixed workpiece, controlled by a computer. It produces flat and shaped parts, pockets, holes, threads and freeform surfaces in aluminium, stainless steel, steel and plastics. Upload your drawing and Batchforce has the part milled by a suitable manufacturing partner.
- Quote in 2 working days
- Delivery in 10 to 20 working days
- From 1 to 1,000 parts
What we make for you
- Operations
- 3-axis and 5-axis milling, plus drilling and tapping
- Materials
- Aluminium, stainless steel, steel, brass, copper, titanium and engineering plastics
- Finishing
- 15+ options, including anodising, passivation and powder coating
- Tolerances
- ISO 2768 as standard, tighter to your 2D drawing
- Quantities
- From 1 to 1,000 parts
- Delivery
- 10 to 20 working days after your approval
5,000+ professionals find their solution with us
Materials
Which materials can you have milled?
The material determines machining time, achievable accuracy and finish. If your grade is not listed, state it on the drawing: the grade on the drawing is what counts.
| Material | Common grades | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | EN AW-6082, EN AW-7075, EN AW-5083, EN AW-6061 | Light, easy to machine, suitable for anodising. 7075 for high strength, 5083 for corrosion resistance. |
| Stainless steel | 1.4301 (304), 1.4404 (316L), 1.4305 (303), 1.4571 | Corrosion resistant and hygienic. 303 machines more easily, 316L resists chlorides. |
| Steel | S235JR, S355J2, C45, 42CrMo4, 16MnCr5 | Strong and economical. Rusts in humid environments, so specify a coating or black oxide. |
| Engineering plastics | POM-C, PA6, PEEK, PTFE, PC | Light, low friction and insulating. Allow for expansion and shrinkage when setting tolerances. |
| Brass and copper | CuZn39Pb3, Cu-ETP | Electrically and thermally conductive, excellent to machine. |
| Titanium | Grade 2, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | High strength at low weight, but slower to machine and therefore more expensive per part. |
Read more about aluminium in aluminium milling and about stainless steel in stainless steel 304 and 316. For steel and other metals, see the guide metal milling.
3-axis or 5-axis milling
A 3-axis milling machine moves the tool in three directions. That is enough for most prismatic parts: plates, housings, flanges and frames. On a 5-axis machine the workpiece or the tool also tilts and rotates, so you machine angled faces, undercuts and curved surfaces in a single setup.
| 3-axis | 5-axis | |
|---|---|---|
| Suited to | Faces, pockets and holes | Complex shapes, angled and curved faces |
| Setups | Several, one for each side | Often one |
| Cost | More economical for simple parts | Fewer setups, better positioning of features |
| Typical parts | Frames, plates, housings, flanges | Turbine parts, mould inserts, medical parts |
Not sure whether to mill or turn? Read the difference between milling or turning, or see CNC turning for shafts and bushings.
Tolerances in CNC milling
If the drawing gives no tolerances of its own, the general tolerances of ISO 2768 apply. For milling, the classes fine (f) and medium (m) are common.
| Nominal size (mm) | ISO 2768-f | ISO 2768-m |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 to 3 | ±0.05 | ±0.1 |
| 3 to 6 | ±0.05 | ±0.1 |
| 6 to 30 | ±0.1 | ±0.2 |
| 30 to 120 | ±0.15 | ±0.3 |
| 120 to 400 | ±0.2 | ±0.5 |
| 400 to 1000 | ±0.3 | ±0.8 |
| 1000 to 2000 | ±0.5 | ±1.2 |
Tighter tolerances are possible if you put them on the drawing next to the dimension. They need extra machining steps and inspection, so use them only where the part needs them, such as a fit or a bearing seat. As a guide for the surface, expect Ra 3.2 µm after milling and Ra 1.6 µm or better with a finishing pass. All classes and fits are in tolerances.
Finishes and surface treatment
State the finish on the drawing, because some processes change the dimensions.
- Anodising for aluminium: a hard, corrosion resistant layer, also in colour.
- Passivation for stainless steel: restores the protective layer after machining.
- Black oxide for steel: light corrosion protection without any significant change in dimensions.
- Blasting for an even, matt surface.
- Nitriding and other heat treatments for wear resistance.
The full overview is in surface and finishing techniques.
Quality and documents
Batchforce works with an ISO 9001 certified quality system. Checked by our own quality department in Heerlen: 98.3% first time right. On request we supply a 3.1 material certificate, an inspection report of the critical dimensions and a first article inspection (FAI).
ISO 90013.1 certificateInspection reportFAI
Your request
How to prepare a drawing
A complete request leads to a faster and sharper quote. Check beforehand:
1
STEP and PDF
The 3D file defines the shape, the 2D drawing the tolerances.
2
Material grade
For example "EN AW-6082 T6" rather than "aluminium".
3
Targeted tolerances
Everything else takes a general tolerance to ISO 2768-m or -f.
4
Threads and fits
With standard and class, for example M8 6H or Ø10 H7.
5
Roughness and finish
State them on the faces where they apply.
6
Quantity and repeats
The number of parts and any repeat order.
7
Inside corner radius
A sharp 90 degree inside corner cannot be milled.
If your drawing is in DWG format, you can first convert it to STEP.
What determines the price?
The price of a milled part follows from machining time and material, not from a fixed list.
- Material: the cost of the stock and how hard it is to machine.
- Machining time: how much material has to be removed and how deep the pockets are.
- Setups: every extra setup takes time; 5-axis can reduce them.
- Tolerances and roughness: tight requirements need extra passes and inspection.
- Quantity: the setup time is spread over the batch.
- Finishes and documents: anodising, certificates and an inspection report add to it.
More explanation in the cost of turning and milling.
Quantities and lead time
You can order a single prototype or a series of up to 1,000 parts. In small quantities the setup time weighs heavily on the unit price; in larger quantities the price per part goes down. For recurring quantities, see series production.
Parts are delivered in 10 to 20 working days. Special materials, a finish or large quantities can take longer; the lead time is stated in your quote.
Design tips
How to make a part cheaper to mill
Small design choices cut machining time and with it the price, without changing the function.
Inside radii
Choose a radius larger than the cutter and use the same one throughout, so no tool change is needed.
Pocket depth
Keep a pocket no deeper than about four times the cutter diameter.
Wall thickness
Thin walls vibrate during milling. Discuss borderline cases when you request a quote.
Holes and threads
Use standard drill sizes and threads, such as M6 or M8. More in CNC drilling and tapping.
Fewer setups
Group features on as few faces as possible; every side is a setup.
Widest tolerance
For each dimension, choose the widest tolerance at which the part still works.
What CNC milling is used for
Milled parts are used in machine building, automation and robotics, high tech and measuring equipment, packaging machines, medical equipment and the automotive industry: housings, mounting plates, flanges, valves, frames, moulds and prototypes. A part with both a turned side and milled faces is often made on both machines.
How it works
How to order milled parts
- Step 1Upload your drawing3D file (STEP) and 2D drawing (PDF), with material and quantity.
- Step 2Receive the quoteWithin 2 working days you see the price and lead time for your part.
- Step 3Confirm the orderA suitable manufacturing partner from the Batchforce network makes your part.
- Step 4Receive the partsInspected and delivered, with the documents you requested.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know about CNC milling.
What is the difference between CNC milling and CNC turning?
In milling the tool rotates and the workpiece is fixed. In turning the workpiece rotates and the tool is fixed. Milling suits prismatic and complex shapes, turning suits round parts such as shafts and bushings. Read more in milling or turning.
Which materials can I have milled?
Aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel and alloy steel, brass, copper, titanium and engineering plastics such as POM, PA6 and PEEK. If your grade is not among them, ask in your quote request.
How accurate is CNC milling?
Without additional requirements, the general tolerances of ISO 2768 apply, often class m. Tighter tolerances are possible if they are on the drawing. Tight tolerances make the part more expensive.
What does CNC milling cost per hour?
An hourly rate is of little use, because the price depends on the whole part: machining time, material, quantity, tolerances and finish. Upload your drawing for a quote with the price for your part.
What is the minimum quantity for CNC milling?
You can order from 1 part, up to 1,000 parts. In larger quantities the unit price goes down because the setup time is spread over the batch.
What is the difference between 3-axis and 5-axis milling?
3-axis milling machines faces, pockets and holes from one direction per setup. 5-axis milling tilts the workpiece or the tool, so complex shapes are finished in fewer setups.
Which files do I need for a quote?
A 3D file (STEP) and a 2D drawing (PDF) with material, tolerances, finish and quantity. Without a drawing you can also upload just a 3D file; the quote then states which assumptions were made.
- ISO 9001 certified
- Quote in 2 working days
- Delivery in 10 to 20 working days
- From 1 to 1,000 parts
Combine automation with craftsmanship.
Maximum quality at low cost. Customization that suits you.
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