Precision Machining Services
Overview of Precision Machining
Precision machining is a manufacturing process that removes material from a workpiece using cutting tools to create parts with tight tolerances and smooth finishes. It's essential for industries that require high accuracy and repeatability, such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, and semiconductor equipment manufacturing.
Precision machining often involves CNC (computer numerical control) machines like lathes and mills. These machines use digital instructions to automatically control the motion of cutting tools, enabling complex shapes and features to be machined with micron-level precision. Advanced CNC machines can perform multiple operations in a single setup, reducing handling and improving efficiency.
Precision Machining Product Features
Shamrock Precision offers a range of precision machining capabilities to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Our key features include:
Multi-Tasking CNC Equipment
Our shop is equipped with the latest multi-tasking CNC lathes and mills. These machines combine turning, milling, drilling, and other operations into a single setup. This eliminates the need for multiple machines and manual part handling, resulting in faster cycle times, improved accuracy, and lower costs.
For example, we can machine a complex aerospace valve body complete from bar stock in one operation. Traditionally this would require multiple setups on different machines, introducing tolerance stack-up errors at each step. Our multi-tasking approach ensures tight tolerances are maintained throughout the machining process.
Wide Range of Materials Machined
We have extensive experience machining a variety of metals including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, inconel, and specialty alloys. Our machinists understand the unique properties and challenges of each material.
In the medical device industry, titanium and cobalt-chrome are often used for implantable components due to their biocompatibility and strength. Machining these tough materials requires rigid equipment, sharp cutting tools and optimized speeds and feeds to achieve the required surface finishes and tolerances. Shamrock Precision has the expertise to deliver precision titanium and cobalt-chrome parts for medical OEMs.
Aerospace Machining Expertise
Shamrock Precision has a long history of serving the aerospace industry. We understand the stringent quality requirements and extensive documentation needs for flight-critical components.
Many aerospace parts have complex geometries, tight tolerances, and challenging materials like inconel and titanium. Our AS9100-certified quality system and experienced machinists ensure these parts are produced to spec every time. We also offer value-added services like non-destructive testing and part marking to provide complete, ready-to-assemble components to our aerospace customers.
Why Choose Shamrock Precision for Precision Machining
When you partner with Shamrock Precision for precision machined parts, you benefit from our decades of experience serving industries with the most demanding requirements. We've machined components for applications from satellite propulsion systems to surgical robotics.
This broad industry exposure, combined with our investments in advanced CNC machining centers, allows us to tackle your toughest precision machining challenges. Our engineering team works closely with customers to optimize designs for manufacturability, often suggesting improvements that reduce cost and lead time.
Many of our customers come to us after struggling with inconsistent quality and missed deliveries from other machine shops. We pride ourselves on our 98%+ on-time delivery rate and scrap rates well below industry averages. You can count on Shamrock Precision to deliver your precision machined components right the first time.
Contact Shamrock Precision today to discuss your precision machining needs for aerospace, defense, medical, and other demanding industries. Our experienced team is ready to put our state-of-the-art CNC equipment and extensive machining expertise to work for you, delivering the high-quality, tight-tolerance parts your critical application demands. From prototyping to production, trust Shamrock Precision to be your reliable partner for all your precision machined components.
Frequently Asked Questions
A wide variety of materials can be precision machined, including metals like stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, and specialty alloys, as well as plastics and composites.
Precision machining is essential for industries that require high accuracy and repeatability, such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, electronics, and semiconductor equipment manufacturing.
Precision CNC machining offers tighter tolerances, greater consistency across production runs, faster cycle times, improved efficiency, and the ability to machine complex geometries in a single setup compared to traditional methods.
Precision machining can typically hold tolerances as tight as ±0.0002 in. (0.005mm) to ±0.002 in. (0.051mm), depending on the material and part geometry. Some shops can even achieve tolerances down to ±0.00008 in. (0.002mm).
Common precision CNC machines include multi-axis lathes and mills, Swiss-style lathes, wire EDM, sinker EDM, surface grinders, and centerless grinders. 5-axis machining centers are used for complex geometries.
Key certifications to look for include ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 13485 for medical devices, AS9100 for aerospace, and ITAR registration for defense work. ISO 14001 for environmental management is also valuable.
Precision machining reduces costs through automation, decreased labor, fewer secondary operations, higher part quality, and reduced scrap. Lights-out machining and multi-tasking machines also improve efficiency.
Key design considerations include selecting the optimal material, specifying realistic tolerances, designing for machinability, leveraging the capabilities of CNC equipment, and clearly communicating requirements to your machine shop].
Lead times for precision machined prototypes vary based on part complexity, material, and machine shop capacity. Some quick-turn shops can deliver simple parts in 1-5 days, while more complex components may take 2-4 weeks.
Look for a precision machine shop with extensive experience, a broad range of CNC equipment, strong quality certifications, in-house engineering support, fast lead times, and a track record of successfully serving your industry.