cnc machining technical resources
Technical Hub
This is the reference library we work from when reviewing a drawing — the design rules for each process, the tolerance and fit tables, the surface finish values, and the material data behind every quote. It is written for the person specifying the part, not for the machine operator.
Upload your drawing (STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF, PDF) — we return DFM feedback and a quote within 24 hours.
- Pages
- Six reference libraries
- Materials covered
- 65 grades
- Finishes covered
- 14
- Updated
- October 2026
A drawing is a set of instructions, and most of the instructions are conventions rather than preferences. This hub is the set of conventions we work to, published so a specification can be written without a round of questions.
Specifications
| Design guides | Sheet metal · 3D printing · Injection moulding · General DFM |
|---|---|
| Tolerance references | Process tolerance chart · Fits and tolerances · Drawing requirements |
| Surface finish | Ra chart · 14 finishes with colour ranges |
| Materials | 65 grade pages · property table · family index |
| Standards | Thread standards · metric to inch · head and drive types · DIN / ASTM |
| Cost | Cost drivers · bulk pricing · RFQ checklist |
Frequently asked questions
What should I read first if I am designing a part?
The design rules for the process you intend to use — sheet metal, 3D printing or moulding — then the tolerance chart. Those three pages cover most of the decisions that change the price.
Do these pages apply to all materials?
The design rules are process-specific rather than material-specific, but the tolerance chart has separate columns for metals and plastics because plastics move more under the same cut.
Where is the material property data?
On the materials hub, in the grade reference table: density, tensile strength, yield strength, melting point, machinability and typical use for twelve grades, with a dedicated page for each of the 65 materials we machine.
Can I get a quote from a page in this hub?
Yes. Every page links to the quote form, and sending a drawing with material, quantity and finish gets a tiered quote with DFM feedback within 24 hours.
How often is this updated?
When a process or a material changes in our own production. The pages describe what we actually run, not a generic industry capability list.
Send your drawing — quote in 24 hours
DFM feedback, material certificates and pre-shipment photos come with every order.