Wall Thickness
Keep walls ≥ 1.0–1.5 mm (Al) and ≥ 2.0 mm (steel) to limit chatter and distortion.
YOUR CUSTOM MANUFACTURING PARTNER IN CNC MILLING
CNC Milling Services
Precision 3-axis milling • ±0.01 mm
TheSupplier delivers precision CNC milling services with tight tolerances, fast lead times, and global delivery — from prototype to mass production in aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, and engineering plastics.
- ±0.01 mm achievable tolerances
- Prototype → 100k+ parts, steady quality
- Anodizing, bead-blast, powder coat, polishing
- 20,000+ vetted suppliers • access idle capacity
What is CNC Milling?
CNC milling turns your design into a real part — with precision, reliability, and speed.
⚙️ Process
CNC milling removes material using rotary cutters for accuracy.
🎯 Precision
Achieve tolerances as tight as ±0.01 mm on critical components.
🌀 Flexibility
3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling for complex part geometries.
📦 Scalability
From a single prototype to 100k+ parts with steady quality.
Why Choose TheSupplier for CNC Milling?
We combine India’s scale with strict QC to deliver CNC milling services that are fast, precise, and cost-effective.
✅
Capacity on Demand
20,000+ vetted partners unlock idle capacity for faster lead times.
🎯
High Precision
Achievable tolerances down to ±0.01 mm for critical parts.
💰
Sharp Pricing
Negotiation leverage at scale → better pricing without quality compromise.
🧰
Materials & Finishes
Aluminum, stainless, brass, copper, plastics + anodizing, bead-blast, powder coat.
📦
Prototype → Production
From 1 part to 100k+ with stable processes and repeatable quality.
🌍
Global Delivery
Door-to-door logistics management for EU, USA, Gulf, and India.
CNC Milling Capabilities
Our CNC milling services cover a wide range of materials, tolerances, and finishes for every need.
🧱 Materials
Aluminum, stainless, brass, copper, plastics.
🎯 Tolerances
High precision up to ±0.01 mm for critical parts.
✨ Finishes
Anodizing, powder coating, bead-blast, polishing.
📏 Max Size
Parts up to 1000 mm milled with accuracy.
📦 Batch Size
From a single prototype to 100k+ parts.
✅ Quality
Strict QC and ISO-compliant inspections.
⚡ Speed
Rapid prototyping and fast-track production capacity.
CNC Milling Components
Real examples of CNC milled parts we deliver — precision components across metals and plastics.
Milling vs Turning vs Drilling — When to Use Each
Pick the right process to hit cost and lead-time targets. Use this quick guide to decide when milling is the best fit versus turning or drilling.
| Attribute | Milling | Turning | Drilling/Tapping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for part shapes | Prismatic parts, flats, pockets, slots, 3D surfaces | Round/axial parts: shafts, bushings, spacers, threaded rods | Through/blind holes, counterbore, countersink, threads |
| Typical tolerance bands | ±0.02–0.05 mm (tighter on critical features) | ±0.01–0.02 mm on diameters & faces | Hole Ø H7/H8; true position per GD&T |
| Surface finish (Ra) | 1.6–3.2 µm as-milled; <1.6 with finishing passes | 0.8–1.6 µm common on precision lathes | Depends on tool, feed & reaming; threads per spec |
| Lead-time impact | Toolpath programming + workholding strategy matter most | High throughput for round families | Fast cycle time; stack tolerances drive QC time |
| DFM highlights | Mind cutter reach, internal radii (R≥ tool radius), thin walls | Keep runout limits realistic; relief grooves for threads | Depth ≤10×Ø is safer; call out CSink/CBore standards |
Tip: If your part mixes flats, pockets, and precise holes, we often run a milling pass first and finish critical bores with drilling/reaming.
Key Cost Drivers in CNC Milling
Understanding what actually drives milling cost helps buyers set the right priorities and avoid surprises in quotes.
Machine Time
Cycle time is the biggest driver. Complex toolpaths, 3D surfacing, and small cutter stepovers add hours. Reducing non-critical cosmetic passes saves money.
Setup & Workholding
Multi-face machining often needs multiple setups. Smart fixture design or 5-axis machining reduces setups but may increase hourly machine rate.
Tooling & Cutter Wear
Special cutters, long reach end mills, or tight corner radii wear tools faster. This increases cost due to tool changes and slower feeds.
Tolerances & Ra
±0.02 mm vs ±0.1 mm can double cycle time. Cosmetic Ra ≤1.6 µm often needs extra finishing passes or secondary polishing.
Material
Aluminum mills fast, stainless is slower, and hardened steels or exotic alloys (Inconel, Titanium) raise cycle time and cutter wear significantly.
Buyer tip: Define which surfaces need tight tolerance or cosmetic finish. Relaxing non-critical areas can cut costs by 20–30%.
DFM Tips for CNC Milling
Use these buyer-proven rules to cut cycle time and avoid rework. For broader context see CNC machining.
Cutter Reach
Depth-to-diameter ≤ 6:1. Deeper pockets may need special tooling or drilling/EDM strategies.
Internal Radii
Match tool radius: use R ≥ 0.5× cutter Ø. Sharp inside corners dramatically slow machining.
Fillets vs Chamfers
Fillets are faster/stronger. Use chamfers only when assembly needs a lead-in or deburr.
Holes & Depths
Avoid blind holes deeper than 10×Ø. Prefer standard drill sizes over custom reamers.
Threads
Add relief grooves. Stick to Metric/UN. See our turning components guide for thread notes.
Upload your RFQ
— we’ll flag DFM issues before quoting.
Surface Finish (Ra) Guide for CNC Milling
Pick the right finish for function and cost. “Lower Ra” often means extra passes or post-processing. For deeper detail, see our Milling Surface Finish Guide.
As-Milled
Ra ≈ 1.6–3.2 µm. One rough + one finish pass on most faces. Best cost/lead time. Good for non-cosmetic parts.
Extra Finishing Pass
Ra ≈ 0.8–1.6 µm. Smaller stepovers, higher toolpath time. Use only on critical faces to control cost.
Bead Blast
Uniform matte look; deburrs micro-edges. Does not “fix” tolerance—specify after machining. Pair with anodize for cosmetics.
Anodize (Al)
Cosmetic & corrosion resistance. Clear/black common. Mask critical bores; note thickness growth in drawings.
Powder Coat / Paint
Durable color finish; hides minor tool marks. Adds thickness—call out no-coat areas and hole sizes accordingly.
Measurement & Callouts
Specify Ra value + face IDs. For sealing surfaces, add flatness/parallelism (GD&T). We provide Ra reports on request.
Tip: Combine milling for geometry with post-ops for cosmetics. If unsure, ask our team—start at
CNC Machining or
upload your RFQ.
Tooling & Machine Capability
From fast 3-axis runs to complex 5-axis forms. Smart workholding and thin-wall strategies keep tolerance and Ra under control.
3-Axis Milling
Best cost/lead time for prismatic parts, flats, pockets and profiles. Ideal for aluminium brackets, plates, bases.
- Typical tol: ±0.02–0.05 mm
- Ra: 1.6–3.2 µm (as-milled)
- Bed travel up to 800 mm
4-Axis (Indexing/Rotary)
Fewer setups on multi-face parts. Great for housings, manifolds and parts with radial features.
- Reduce setups by 30–50%
- Better datums/true position
- Live 4th for wrap features
5-Axis & Simultaneous
Complex geometry, undercuts and sculpted surfaces. Cut cycle time by machining more faces in one clamp.
- Tight feature-to-feature accuracy
- Improved surface continuity
- Ideal for aerospace/medical
Workholding & Fixtures
Soft jaws, modular vices and vacuum pallets stabilize thin parts. Fixture design chosen per geometry and Ra target.
- Deflection control on thin walls
- Repeatability for scale runs
- Quick-change for faster turns
Thin-Wall Strategy
Step-downs, rest machining and balanced passes reduce chatter. Local tabs left for final skim to hit size.
- Walls ≥1.0–1.5 mm (Al), ≥2.0 mm (steel)
- Adaptive toolpaths to cut heat
- Finish from rigid datums
Materials & Cutters
Al 6061/6082/7075, SS304/316, mild steel/EN8, brass, copper, engineering plastics. Coated carbide for life & Ra.
- Tool reach planned ≤6:1
- Corner R ≥ 0.5× cutter Ø
- Critical holes finished by drilling/reaming
Tolerances & Inspection for CNC Milling
Call out only what’s function-critical. Tighter numbers increase cycle time, fixture complexity, and QC effort.
Typical Tolerances
General: ±0.02–0.05 mm on prismatic features. Critical bores/slots can go tighter with finishing passes or reaming.
Specify datum structure; avoid stacking tight tolerances across unrelated faces.
GD&T Callouts
Use flatness/parallelism on sealing faces; position for hole patterns; runout/Concentricity where mating shafts/pins are involved.
Reference a complete datum scheme to stabilize machining and measurement.
Hole Quality & Fits
For precision holes, rough mill, then drill/ream to size (H7/H8). Counterbore/countersink per ISO/ASME. Deburr specs help avoid over-chamfer.
Thin-Wall Features
Keep walls ≥1.0–1.5 mm (Al) / ≥2.0 mm (steel). Balance toolpaths and finish after roughing to minimize deflection.
Surface Finish (Ra)
As-milled ~1.6–3.2 µm; critical faces to 0.8–1.6 µm with finishing passes. Cosmetics often need bead blast or anodize. See our finish guide.
Inspection & Docs
CMM reports, Ra measurements, hardness, and MTC/CoC available. PPAP on request. Define sampling (AQL) to control cost.
Case Study: Aerospace Bracket Cost Down
How TheSupplier reduced machining time and cost while improving delivery for a critical aerospace part.
Before
Legacy Supplier
- 3 setups required (multiple fixtures)
- Cycle time: 6 hrs
- Tolerances over-stated on all faces (±0.01 mm)
- No DFM feedback; extra cosmetic passes
- Lead time: 4 weeks
- Unit cost: $520
After
TheSupplier
- Consolidated to 1 fixture on 5-axis
- Cycle time: 2.5 hrs
- Tolerances tightened only where functional
- Removed redundant Ra 0.8 µm cosmetic passes
- Lead time: 12 days
- Unit cost: $290 (–44%)
Industries & Applications
We mill prismatic parts, housings and precision features across metals and plastics for diverse sectors. Here are common use-cases we ship every week.
Aerospace
- Brackets, ribs, avionics plates
- 5-axis sculpted surfaces
- Material: Al 7075 / 6061
Automotive
- Housings, fixtures, jigs
- Manifolds & cooling plates
- MS/EN8, Al 6082
Medical
- Instrument handles, fixtures
- Thin-wall pocketing
- SS304/316, POM
Electronics
- Heat sinks & enclosures
- EMI-shielded covers
- Al 6061 + anodize
Industrial
- Machine bases, adapter plates
- Wear plates, guides
- Tool steels, Brass
Robotics
- End effectors, link plates
- Lightweight pocketing
- Al 6082/7075
Ready to mill your parts?
24–48h DFM & quotation. ISO-aligned QC, Ra reports & CMM on request.
CNC Milling Guides & Resources
Surface finishes, tolerances, and sourcing tips to spec milled parts correctly and reduce rework.
Finish
CNC Milling Surface Finish Guide
Ra values, visual charts, and how bead blast, anodize, and plating affect appearance and size.
Read guide →Tolerances
CNC Machining Tolerances Explained
Standard vs tight fits, what ±0.01 mm means for cost, and what to call out on drawings.
Read guide →Sourcing
How to Choose the Right CNC Machining Service
When to use milling vs. turning vs. drilling, supplier vetting, and quoting signals.
Read guide →Related
CNC Turning Components & Applications
Useful for hybrid parts: runout, grooves, and thread notes that interact with milled features.
Read guide →Related
CNC Turning Costly Mistakes
Cross-learn for parts with turned + milled ops—spec errors that inflate cost or delay delivery.
Read guide →CNC Milling FAQ
Common questions about our CNC milling services answered clearly for buyers.
What is the difference between CNC milling and CNC turning?
CNC milling uses rotating cutters to remove material, while turning spins the workpiece against a cutting tool. Milling handles complex shapes and pockets, turning is best for cylindrical parts.
What tolerances can you achieve with CNC milling?
We routinely achieve ±0.01 mm tolerances on critical dimensions, depending on material, geometry, and finish requirements.
Which materials can be CNC milled?
Common choices include aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, brass, copper, and engineering plastics such as Delrin and PTFE.
Do you support prototype and high-volume production?
Yes — from single prototypes to 100k+ parts. We use India’s vast supplier base to scale up capacity quickly.
Do you deliver CNC milled parts globally?
Yes, we handle logistics for EU, USA, Gulf countries, and India, ensuring on-time delivery with full documentation.
Processes We Offer
Choose the right CNC milling process for your geometry, tolerance, and budget.
3‑Axis CNC Milling
Cost‑effective for flats, pockets, and profiles. Ideal for most aluminum parts.
4‑Axis CNC Milling
Continuous rotation on one axis for faster machining of multiple faces.
5‑Axis CNC Milling
Complex geometry, fewer setups, better accuracy on critical features.
Micro‑Milling
Fine tools for tiny features and thin walls in metals and plastics.
CNC Milling Quote
Ready to start your CNC Milling project?
Send your drawings for pricing, lead time, and manufacturability feedback.