Imaginarium/Technologies/Subtractive Sheet 05 of 08

CNC

tight as a drum

3, 4 & 5-axis precision machining across metals and engineering plastics. The gold standard for tight-tolerance functional parts, mating features and critical sealing surfaces, with the full mechanical properties of wrought material.

z x y 5-axis spindle Wrought billet Finished part Ra 0.4–6.3 µm off the machine ±0.05 MM. wrought properties, kept.
Max part size2200 × 1500 × 760 mm
Typical volumes1 to 10,000 parts
Tolerance±0.05 mm
Lead time5 to 14 days
01 Why use it the good bits
  • The highest dimensional accuracy of any process: tolerances down to ±0.05 mm.
  • Full wrought mechanical properties: fully dense, predictable fatigue and fracture.
  • Widest material range: almost any metal or engineering plastic that comes in block or bar.
  • Zero tooling investment: CAD to production part, directly.
  • Surface finish Ra 0.4 to 6.3 Ra off the machine; mirror polish in post.
  • Critical for threaded holes, sealing flanges, bearing fits, optical mounts.
02 Ideal volumes how many?
  • 1–1,000 parts: with no tooling, CNC wins economically under 500 to 1,000 units.
  • High-tolerance components at any quantity where injection moulding cannot hold spec.
  • Bridge production while injection moulding tools are being built.
  • Hybrid workflow: CNC is standard finishing on every DMLS component we ship.

03 Materials

Pick your stock

four answers, one grade.

Twenty-eight stock grades across aluminium, stainless, titanium, brass, steel and engineering plastics, from aerospace 7075-T6 to implant-grade Ti Grade 23. Answer the four questions and we shortlist the grades that fit, then open one for its typical properties and download the datasheet for your design review.

04 Post-processing & finishing 3 / 4 / 5-axis turning & milling.
Heat treatment Bead + media blast Hand polish Mirror polish Anodise Type II Anodise Type III hard Chrome / Ni / Zn plate Passivation Powder coat Laser mark EDM + wire-cut Tap + ream + hone
Take a break between machining cycles.

Proof not promises.

It hasn’t been done

which doesn’t mean it can’t be.

Let’s build something