CNC Turning Service
Get quality custom turned parts for rapid prototyping and end-use production. Lead times are as fast as 1 day.
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Othala’s CNC turning services deliver custom prototypes and production parts with rapid turnaround, often within 24 hours. Our advanced CNC lathes with live tooling enable the efficient machining of features such as axial and radial holes, flats, grooves, and slots.
CNC turning is often used for:
- functional prototypes and end-use parts
- parts with cylindrical features
- parts with axial and radial holes, flats, grooves, and slots
Design Guidelines for CNC Turning
Our basic guidelines for CNC turning include important design considerations to help improve part manufacturability, enhance cosmetic appearance, and reduce overall production time.
| US | Metric | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Dimensions | Diameter | 17 in. | 431mm |
| Length | 39 in. | 990mm | |
| Minimum Dimensions | Diameter | 0.003 in. | 0.08mm |
| Length | 0.019 in. | 0.5mm | |
| Wall Thickness | 0.004 in. | 0.1mm | |
| Angle | Below 90° | Below 90° | |
| Tolerances | +/- 0.0002 in. | +/- 0.005mm |
Additional Notes on CNC Turning Guidelines
- Small features may be allowed, but the diameter in any region should not be less than 0.030 in. (0.76mm).
- Sharp conical points are allowed; angles should be greater than 30 degrees. Walls thinner than 0.020 in. (0.5mm) typically do not survive the machining process.
Materials for CNC Turning
Othala offers a selection of metals for CNC turning, including aluminum, brass, low carbon steel, stainless steel, steel alloy, and titanium, suitable for a wide range of applications and industries.
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Low Carbon Steel
- Steel Alloy
- Stainless Steel
- Titanium
Surface Finish Options for Turned Parts
Turned parts generally achieve a smoother surface finish than milled parts, especially on cylindrical surfaces. Consider this when choosing between turning and milling. Features machined with live tooling (e.g., flats, slots) may exhibit tool marks. For metal parts, bead blasting can provide a fine matte finish and deburr edges, particularly on hard metals like steel and stainless steel.
| Aluminum | Edges broken with visible toolmarks, edges broken with light bead blast, or sharp edges with visible toolmarks |
|---|---|
| All other metals | Edges broken with visible toolmarks or edges broken with light bead blast |
Material: Aluminum
Surface Finish: Broken Edge
Material: Aluminum
Surface Finish: Bead Blast
Material: Aluminum
Surface Finish: Sharp Edge
Anodizing and Chromate Plating Specifications
| Anodize | Hard Anodize | Chromate |
|---|---|---|
| MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 2 (Blk) MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 1(Clr) | MIL-A-8625 Type III, Class 2 (Blk) | MIL-DTL-5541 Type II, Class 3 (Clr) |
Quick-turn Finishing
Here are the requirements to get parts in as fast as 4 days (1-day expedite + 3 days for plating):
- Aluminum 6061/6082 and 7075 material eligibility
- Threaded holes plugged
- No masking available
High-requirement Finishing
For projects requiring AS9100 or ITAR compliance, Othala delivers precision machining in-house with full adherence to the highest industry standards. Our team is fully equipped to handle complex anodizing, plating, and specialized material requirements, including titanium and nickel. All processes are completed internally, ensuring superior quality, consistency, and control from start to finish.
What is CNC Turning?
CNC turning, a subtractive process, rotates a metal rod (stock) against a cutting tool to create parts. Our CNC lathes with live tooling enable machining of features like flats, holes, and OD/ID threads. Turned parts can be supplied as-machined (with potential tool marks) or bead blasted. Finished parts undergo inspection before packaging and shipping.
Resources
Check out these machining and sheet metal finishingoptions to protect parts and improve function.
Consider hole depths, threading, wall thickness, andmore to reduce production time and expense.
Learn a number of ways to modify your CNC machining design to not only improve functionality, but reduce manufacturing costs.
View a CNC machining sample quote to explore ProtoQuote's design for manufacturability feedbackand real-time pricing capabilities.