Order CNC-machined parts online from FACTUREE
FACTUREE – The Online Manufacturer provides you with the state-of-the-art procurement of CNC-machined parts made of metal and plastics.
As an online manufacturer with a large network of manufacturing partners, we have access to an almost unlimited number of CNC machines and thus always have free capacities and secure supply chains for your projects - from prototype to large-batch production.
In addition to the broadest manufacturing spectrum on the market, you benefit from individual offers, short delivery times and competitive prices.
Let us convince you and request a free quote via our easy online inquiry.
Fast
- Short delivery times of 9-12 working days.
- Same-day quote in most cases.
- Quick response to questions.
- Free Europe-wide express shipping.
Versatile
- Prototyping, small and large scale production.
- Turning, milling, surface treatments and more.
- Extensive selection of materials immediately available.
- Everything from one source.
How Online Manufacturing at FACTUREE works
Inquiry
- Easy upload of your 3D models and drawings
- Inquiries also possible by email
- Telephone customer service
Quoting process
- Same-day express-offer in most cases
- Two-stage technical feasibility check
- Flexible offer optimization regarding price or delivery time
Order placement
- More than 500 manufacturing partners and 6000 CNC machines
- AI-backed selection of the best possible manufacturer
- FACTUREE is the sole contracting party
Manufacturing
- Wide production range (incl. many finishes)
- Extensive selection of materials
- Data-driven quality management
Shipment
- Delivery already possible after 9-12 working days
- Free Europe-wide express shipping
- 100% carbon-neutral shipping
Find out more about the advantages of Online Manufacturing and how you can benefit from it in our latest white paper
„The future of parts procurement“
Service offer for CNC machining
Manufacturing techniques:
Range:
- Metal and plastics
- Prototyping, small and large scale production.
- incl. surface treatments
Specifications for CNC-machined parts:
- Toleranzen ab ±0,01mm
The abbreviation CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control and indicates that the numerical control is carried out via a computer and that even complex workpieces can be manufactured automatically with high precision and in large quantities.
The respective machines are programmed using CAD/CAM software. In CAD (computer-aided design) programs such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD or CATIA, 3D models of the workpieces to be manufactured are created. CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) programs translate this information into code that can be read by CNC machines.
Note: We always recommend exporting to the step file format (.stp/.step) when designing your parts.
Since most CNC machines work independently, the personnel costs are comparatively low. As a result, technical components can be manufactured not only more precisely but also faster and more cost-effectively using CNC machining compared to conventional manufacturing processes.
There is now a large number of different CNC machining processes such as CNC turning, CNC milling, CNC laser cutting, CNC water jet cutting or CNC bending. FACTUREE – The Online Manufacturer offers all the aforementioned manufacturing processes while our customers most frequently order the production of parts based on drawings using subtractive manufacturing processes.
Subtractive manufacturing
Subtractive manufacturing describes a group of manufacturing processes in which excess material in the form of chips is removed from a blank until the workpiece reaches the desired shape. This is different to 3D printing, for example, which is a typical example for an additive manufacturing process.
A basic distinction is made between machining techniques with geometrically undefined cutting edges, where the number and geometry of the cutting edges can only be described statistically (e.g. grinding with abrasive grains as cutting edge) and machining techniques with geometrically defined cutting edges. Two of the most common processes in this subgroup are milling and turning.
CNC turning
CNC turning is a manufacturing process in which the workpiece to be machined rotates around its own axis at high speed while a fixed cutting tool is held against the workpiece. This tool removes material evenly through feed movements until the body has the desired shape. This way bodies with rotational symmetry can be generated by fast and precisely.
CNC milling
CNC milling too is a machining manufacturing process in which material in the form of chips is removed from a body. In contrast to CNC turning, the workpiece does not rotate quickly around its own axis, but the milling tool that usually has several cutting edges moves to process it. The chipping of the raw piece is carried out either by driving the milling head across its surface or by moving the body itself along a static tool.
Applications of CNC manufacturing
Prototype and small batch production
CNC machining is used in particular in prototype production and in the production of small series. The set-up costs are comparatively low compared to the production of cast parts, since no individual molds have to be produced. Series production using CNC machining is also possible, especially simple turning parts can often be produced efficiently and cost-effectively in large quantities. At FACTUREE you can have prototypes and small series produced within 9-12 working days. We can also provide offers for the CNC machining of large series.
CNC contract manufacturing
In CNC contract manufacturing , companies outsource CNC manufacturing processes to an external service provider, a contract manufacturer. The attractiveness of contract manufacturing lies in the fact that the company does not have to maintain and service its own machinery to manufacture the required components, which is associated with very high fixed costs. However, a disadvantage of contract manufacturing is the dependence on available capacities of the respective manufacturing company. This can pose great difficulties for companies with urgent projects. When cooperating with many different manufacturing companies, supplier management (e.g. onboarding processes and continuous quality control) can also be very extensive and permanently tie up certain resources in the company permanently.
A special form of CNC contract manufacturing is Online Manufacturing at FACTUREE. Here you benefit from our large network of manufacturing partners, in addition to the advantages of conventional contract manufacturing, from always free capacities, short delivery times and a broad manufacturing range. Here you can also obtain very different and complicated parts from a single source.
Materials suitable for CNC machining
The material groups most frequently used in CNC machining are metals and plastics, each of which has its own special features to consider when machining. However, other materials such as wood, ceramic (MACOR®) or stone can also be machined using CNC machines.
CNC machining of metal
Steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys as well as copper, brass, bronze and titanium are the metals most frequently requested for the manufacturing of CNC parts. At FACTUREE you can choose from more than 50 different steels and numerous aluminum alloys. In metal processing, robust production machines are used which are able to produce CNC parts in large quantities with high precision. Cooling lubrication is of central importance in the milling of metal parts. As the name suggests, this serves to keep the temperature of the milling cutter as low as possible during production. At the same time, cooling lubrication ensures that edges are machined cleanly and without burrs. Last but not least, the cooling lubrication also transports chips from the working area, so that production can run smoothly and does not have to be interrupted for cleaning.
CNC machining of plastics
While the hardness of the material is the main challenge for CNC milling in metal processing, factors such as low thermal conductivity are more important in plastics processing. The heat generated during machining can have a strong impact on the material. Therefore, when machining plastics with CNC milling, the heat input must be discharged via the chip. The choice of the correct cutting speed must also be adapted to the respective material.
The thermoplastics polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or acrylic glass), polyoxymethylene (POM or acetal) and the polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, also known under the brand name Teflon) are among the plastics most frequently used in cnc machining. The advantages of these materials over metals are lower weight, resistance to chemicals and good sliding properties.
In total, you can choose from more than 40 different plastics that are constantly available for CNC manufacturing through FACTUREE. Our material list offers you a detailed overview.
CNC machining with surface finishing
Particularly after the CNC machining of metal parts, a final surface treatment of the workpieces is often useful to protect them against corrosion, wear and premature ageing processes. These surface treatments can be divided into different groups.
Heat treatments
In order for the workpieces to meet the high requirements of durability, material hardness and toughness in subsequent use, heat treatments can be carried out on the CNC machined parts on request.
- Hardening methods
- Nitriding methods
- etc.
Electroplating
The process of electroplating, an electrolytic process in which the workpiece acts as a cathode, creates a coating on the surface of the component that can act as a corrosion protection.
- Anodizing
- Black finishing
- Galvanizing (zinc plating)
- etc.
Mechanical finishes
If required, our manufacturing partners carry out further mechanical processing after the machining of the parts to change the surface properties or mark the components.
- Grinding & polishing
- Sandblasting & glass bead blasting
- Engraving
- etc.
At FACTUREE you can procure CNC parts including surface finishes. This way you save yourself the logistical effort of commissioning several service providers and have only one contractual partner for the entire duration of the manufacturing process.