Milled housings and blocks
Prismatic parts with pockets, bores, threads, sealing faces, and controlled mating datums.
CNC machining / China
China CNC Machining for Custom Parts
Send the current model and controlled drawing. We review geometry, material, tolerance, finish, quantity, inspection, and delivery requirements, then coordinate a process-fit CNC supplier through quotation, production, and release.
Need an NDA before upload? Email quotes@meknora.com first.
RFQ review inputs
- 3D CAD + controlled drawing
- Material grade and condition
- Quantity and delivery need
- Critical dimensions and datums
- Finish and cosmetic criteria
- Inspection and certificate scope
What we can machine
Part types we can evaluate for CNC machining
Routing starts from part geometry and drawing requirements—not a generic machine list. These are common CNC part categories that can be reviewed for supplier fit.
Turned shafts and sleeves
Rotational parts such as shafts, bushings, spacers, pins, and threaded components.
Plates, brackets, and flanges
Structural and interface parts with hole patterns, counterbores, slots, and edge requirements.
Multi-face machined parts
Parts that may require indexed workholding, multiple setups, cross-holes, or angled features.
Fixtures, jigs, and tooling components
Build and inspection tooling where repeatable datums, wear surfaces, and replaceable features matter.
Post-machined stock or near-net blanks
Extrusions, castings, forgings, or customer-supplied blanks requiring controlled secondary machining.
Materials
Specify the grade—not only the material family.
The list below describes common RFQ categories, not guaranteed stock. Grade, condition, governing standard, source, traceability, and certificate requirements are reviewed for each project.
| Material family | Common drawing requests | Engineering inputs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum alloys | Common requests include 6061, 6082, 7075, and 2024. | Specify alloy, temper, governing standard, stock form, and whether mill certification is required. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Stainless steels | Common requests include 303, 304, 316 / 316L, and 17-4PH. | State heat-treatment condition, passivation requirement, corrosion context, and magnetic restrictions if relevant. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Carbon, alloy, and tool steels | Common requests include 1018, 1045, 4140, D2, and H13. | Define hardness or heat-treatment sequence, machining allowance, scale removal, and final coating. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Copper and brass alloys | Common requests include C110 copper, C360 brass, or a drawing-specified alloy. | Confirm conductivity, lead-content restrictions, cosmetic surfaces, and plating or oxidation requirements. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Engineering plastics | Common requests include POM / acetal, PA / nylon, PC, PEEK, and PTFE. | Define grade, reinforcement, moisture conditioning, dimensional stability, and inspection condition. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Specified blanks or customer-supplied material | Extrusion, plate, bar, casting, forging, or customer-controlled stock. | Provide stock condition, datum strategy, available machining allowance, and traceability expectations. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
Processes
Choose the route from geometry and control needs.
Machine type is not selected from feature count alone. Setup continuity, tool access, workholding, inspection, batch size, and secondary operations affect the route.
| Process | Appropriate for | Review points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-axis CNC milling | Prismatic parts, pockets, hole patterns, and accessible planar features. | Part envelope, tool access, setup count, corner radii, and workholding. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Indexed 4-axis or 5-axis machining | Multi-face parts where fewer setups may improve datum continuity. | Rotation clearance, fixture access, feature orientation, and supplier equipment. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Simultaneous 5-axis machining | Contoured or highly oriented geometry requiring coordinated tool motion. | Surface definition, toolpath access, machine travel, verification method, and cost justification. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| CNC turning | Rotational parts with diameters, shoulders, grooves, bores, and threads. | Stock diameter, length-to-diameter ratio, runout, concentricity, and chucking surfaces. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Mill-turn or live-tool turning | Turned parts with cross-holes, flats, slots, or off-axis features. | Feature access, sub-spindle transfer, datum strategy, and supplier machine configuration. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| EDM, grinding, and specialist secondary machining | Features or final conditions not practical to complete by standard milling or turning alone. | Process sequence, heat treatment, stock allowance, surface integrity, and inspection. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
Tolerance & drawing control
Tolerance must be tied to function and inspection.
There is no useful universal CNC tolerance. Achievability depends on material, part size, feature geometry, datum scheme, setup strategy, thermal condition, finish sequence, and measurement method. The quotation should identify what is accepted as drawn, what needs clarification, and what still requires supplier confirmation.
| Requirement | What the drawing should define | How it is reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| General dimensions | State the title-block tolerance or referenced standard and revision. | Confirm which uncategorized dimensions inherit the general tolerance. |
| Critical dimensions | Call out limits explicitly and identify functional or mating relationships. | Review process capability, setup influence, and the intended inspection method. |
| GD&T and datums | Reference the applicable ASME Y14.5 or ISO GPS standard and edition. | Confirm datum simulation, feature access, and reporting method before release. |
| Hole and shaft fits | Provide fit designation, mating function, and any assembly condition. | Align bore or shaft process, gaging method, and measurement condition. |
| Threads | Specify standard, size, pitch, class, depth, and insert requirement. | Confirm tool access, thread gage requirement, and post-finish allowance. |
| Surface texture and edge condition | State Ra or Rz units, measurement area, lay if relevant, deburr, and edge-break intent. | Separate functional surfaces from general as-machined and cosmetic surfaces. |
Surface finishes
Define the finish as an engineering requirement.
Color names and finish labels are not enough for controlled work. Specify the applicable standard, thickness, masking, cosmetic reference, dimensional allowance, and required records.
| Finish | What to specify | Status |
|---|---|---|
| As-machined | Define required surface texture where functional, plus deburr, edge break, tool-mark, and cosmetic expectations. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Bead blasting or tumbling | Specify media or target appearance, masking, edge sensitivity, and whether a visual sample is required. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Anodizing or hard anodizing | Specify governing standard, type or class, color, thickness, masking, rack-mark allowance, and dimensional impact. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Passivation or electropolishing | Define alloy, process specification, cleanliness requirement, surface condition, and validation records. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Plating or conversion coating | State coating system, thickness, color, corrosion requirement, masking, and tolerance after coating. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
| Black oxide, phosphate, paint, or powder coat | Define pretreatment, color or reference sample, gloss, thickness, masking, thread protection, and cosmetic standard. | Confirmed during RFQ review |
Prototype to production
Change the controls as quantity and repeat risk change.
A prototype route may prioritize learning and speed. Repeat production needs a controlled baseline, stable sourcing, inspection planning, and change management.
Prototype machining
Validate geometry, assembly, function, material choice, or a high-risk feature before scaling.
- Fast review of open drawing assumptions
- Workholding and setup route matched to quantity
- Critical-feature inspection defined before cutting
- Revision and feedback captured for the next build
Bridge and low-volume production
Support pilot builds, early customer demand, spares, or recurring batches before full production.
- Repeatable fixture and datum strategy
- Approved sample or first-article reference
- Batch identity and change communication
- Finish consistency and protective packaging
Repeat production
Maintain the approved requirement across planned releases and repeat purchase orders.
- Controlled drawing and approved process baseline
- Inspection frequency aligned to risk
- Material and lot records when specified
- Supplier, process, and deviation change control
Quality inspection
Inspection starts with the controlled drawing.
The inspection scope should reflect functional risk, process sequence, quantity, and the evidence needed for release. A generic “QC passed” statement is not an inspection plan.
- 01
Drawing and revision control
The quotation, supplier review, production release, and inspection record should refer to the same controlled revision.
- 02
Material and process evidence
Mill certificates, heat-treatment records, plating certificates, or other evidence must be requested before quotation when required.
- 03
First article or sample approval
Critical dimensions, functional interfaces, finish, and cosmetic criteria can be reviewed before repeat production is released.
- 04
In-process and final inspection
Inspection method and frequency are matched to the drawing, process risk, quantity, and agreed reporting scope.
- 05
Measurement method alignment
Required methods and equipment—such as CMM, optical measurement, hand gages, or a custom fixture—are confirmed for the selected inspection route.
- 06
Nonconformance handling
Affected parts are identified and contained before an agreed disposition such as sort, rework, remake, or corrective action.
File types
Send geometry and the controlled acceptance criteria.
Recommended RFQ package: STEP model + controlled PDF drawing + quantity breakdown + required date + inspection and certification notes. A 3D model alone does not communicate tolerance, material condition, finish, or acceptance criteria.
| File type | Purpose | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| STEP / STP | Preferred neutral solid model for geometry review and CAM preparation. | Include a controlled 2D drawing for tolerances, datums, material, finish, and notes. |
| Parasolid X_T / X_B | Neutral solid geometry where supported by the selected engineering workflow. | File version compatibility is confirmed during file review. |
| Native CAD | SolidWorks, Inventor, or other native files when design context is useful. | Software and version compatibility are confirmed during file review; include a STEP backup. |
| PDF drawing | Controlled source for dimensions, GD&T, notes, material, finish, and inspection requirements. | Identify drawing number, revision, units, and applicable standards. |
| DXF / DWG | 2D profiles, reference geometry, or selected drawing information. | Clarify units, scale, layer meaning, and whether geometry is reference or controlling. |
| IGES / IGS | Legacy neutral geometry for initial review. | Translated surfaces and gaps should be checked before quotation or CAM release. |
Typical applications
Common part contexts—not customer claims.
These examples describe technical project categories that can be reviewed. Fit is confirmed from the submitted design and requirements.
Automation and robotics hardware
End-effector parts, sensor mounts, brackets, adapters, and motion-system interfaces.
Industrial equipment components
Machine interfaces, guards, bearing supports, housings, shafts, and service parts.
Fixtures and test equipment
Assembly nests, inspection fixtures, calibration hardware, and replaceable tooling details.
Electronics and instrument enclosures
Machined housings, heat-spreading components, bezels, covers, and connector interfaces.
Hardware product development
Functional prototypes, appearance models, pilot-build parts, and bridge-production components.
Motion and fluid-system parts
Pulleys, couplings, manifolds, valve bodies, sealing interfaces, and precision spacers.
CNC Machining FAQ
Questions to resolve before quotation.
Specific capability, pricing, lead time, and inspection commitments come from the reviewed RFQ—not from general website copy.
What information is required for a CNC machining quote?
Provide the latest 3D model and controlled 2D drawing, material grade and condition, quantities, required date, finish, critical features, inspection scope, certificate needs, and delivery destination. If an item is unknown, identify it as open rather than allowing an unstated assumption.
Is a 3D CAD model enough?
Usually not. A model defines nominal geometry but normally does not fully control dimensions, GD&T, material condition, surface texture, finish, thread class, cosmetic criteria, inspection, or revision status. A STEP model paired with a controlled PDF drawing is the preferred starting package.
What tolerance can you hold?
Tolerance cannot be stated responsibly without the part, material, size, feature geometry, datum structure, setup strategy, finish sequence, quantity, and measurement method. Critical tolerances are reviewed feature by feature and are not accepted until the process, supplier, and inspection method are confirmed in the quotation.
Can you support prototypes and low-volume production?
Prototype, bridge, low-volume, and repeat-production routes can be evaluated. Supplier fit, minimum quantity, fixture strategy, inspection effort, and lead time are confirmed from the specific RFQ rather than assumed from a generic volume range.
Can material certificates and inspection reports be provided?
They can be included when specified, commercially agreed, and available from the selected supply chain. State the exact certificate, traceability, report format, sampling, measurement, and calibration requirements before quotation. Document availability and the required verification method are confirmed during supplier review.
How is CNC lead time determined?
Lead time is reviewed from material availability, programming, workholding, machine capacity, tool needs, outside finishing, inspection, packaging, and delivery scope. It is confirmed in the quotation after technical review; no standard lead time is implied by this page.
Can an NDA be signed before CAD files are shared?
NDA support is available before detailed file review. Send your agreement for review or request the applicable mutual NDA process. An NDA applies only after it has been accepted by both parties.
Start the technical review
Upload your CAD files and requirements for review.
Include the drawing revision, material, quantity, finish, critical features, required date, and inspection or certification needs. Open items can be identified during review.
Start Your RFQ