CNC Prototyping
& 5-Axis CNC Machining
That Ships Fast
Precision CNC prototyping from Shenzhen — 5-axis CNC machining to ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm in aluminum, titanium, and PEEK from certified billet. Free DFM analysis, Zeiss CMM inspection, no MOQ. Global delivery in 2–7 days.
What Is CNC Prototyping?
CNC prototyping machines functional parts directly from certified billet stock using computer-controlled cutting tools, giving prototypes the same material properties as the final production part. Unlike 3D printing, CNC prototyping produces isotropic strength with no layer lines — critical when a prototype needs to be functionally tested, not just visually reviewed.
MetalWorksPlus runs 5-axis CNC machining, CNC turning, Swiss machining, and wire EDM from one ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Shenzhen — with aluminum CNC prototype, titanium machining, and PEEK machining as core capabilities, each backed by AMS/ASTM mill certificates and a Zeiss CMM inspection report.
Why CNC Prototyping
Wins for Functional Parts
Choosing the right prototyping method determines accuracy, material integrity, and regulatory readiness. Here's how the options compare.
3D Printing
- Fast for visual form checks
- ±0.1–0.3mm typical tolerance
- Anisotropic — weak Z-axis
- No certified material grades
- Layer lines require post-processing
CNC Prototyping & Machining
- ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm routinely achievable
- Real certified alloys — full traceability
- Isotropic strength in all directions
- Production-grade surface (Ra 0.4µm)
- CMM reports, GD&T, DFM included
- Regulatory submissions ready
Injection Molding
- $5K–$50K+ tooling required
- 4–12 week tooling lead time
- Economical only at 10,000+ units
- Design changes need new tooling
- Thermoplastics only
MetalWorksPlus vs. a Typical CNC Prototyping Shop
CNC prototyping is our core business, not a side service. Here's what that means when you're qualifying a CNC prototype manufacturer for aluminum, titanium, or PEEK machining work in China.
| Evaluation Criteria | MetalWorksPlus | Typical Prototype Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Free DFM analysis | ✓ 24-hour written report on every order | Often a paid add-on or skipped |
| 5-axis simultaneous machining | ✓ DMG MORI NMV / Mazak VARIAXIS in-house | Often 3-axis only, subcontracts 5-axis |
| Titanium & PEEK machining | ✓ Ti-6Al-4V, PEEK (ISO 10993) proven | Limited exotic material experience |
| Dimensional documentation | ✓ Zeiss CMM report + mill certs standard | Basic or no inspection report |
| Minimum order quantity | ✓ No MOQ — 1 piece to bridge production | Often has minimums or setup fees |
| Quote turnaround | ✓ 2–4 hours standard, same-day rush | 1–3 business days is common |
| Lead time | ✓ 2–7 days firm, 98% on-time rate | Estimates only, frequent slippage |
| Certifications | ✓ ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, ITAR compliant | Varies by shop |
Inside Our CNC Prototyping Process
From raw certified billet to precision-inspected prototype — photographed inside our Shenzhen facility.
Design for Manufacturability Analysis
Every order begins with a free DFM review. Our engineers analyze geometry, tolerances, and material selection before cutting starts.
Precision Workholding
Material Removal
Ra 0.4µm Surface
Complex Geometry
What Happens
- CAD geometry review & ambiguity resolution
- Undercut & thin-wall identification
- Tolerance stack-up verification
- CAM toolpath generation in Mastercam
- Simulation & collision checking
Equipment & Software
- Mastercam / Hypermill / Siemens NX CAM
- CATIA V5 for GD&T verification
- 24/7 secure file upload portal
- Accepted: STEP, IGES, SolidWorks, DXF
- NDA signed before any file access
Quality Outputs
- Written DFM report within 24 hours
- Cost-reduction recommendations
- Confirmed firm lead time quote
- Material grade confirmation
- Signed NDA before file access
Every Prototype Ships With
Full Documentation
- Balloon-numbered CMM dimensional report — 100% of features
- Surface roughness profilometry — ISO 4287 (Ra, Rz, Rmax)
- Material mill certificate — chemical composition & mechanical properties
- Certificate of Conformance (CoC) — signed by QA Manager
- PPAP / FAI documentation available — Automotive & Aerospace
Every Process,
One Facility
From Ø0.5mm micro-features on Swiss lathes to 2,000mm structural assemblies — all under one ISO 9001 certified roof.
3/4/5-Axis CNC Milling
Simultaneous 5-axis CNC machining for complex contours, undercuts, and thin-wall sections from 0.5mm. Single-setup accuracy eliminates re-fixturing error. Envelope: 2000×1000×500mm, spindles to 24,000 RPM.
CNC Turning & Swiss Machining
Cylindrical components with C-axis live tooling. Citizen Cincom Swiss-type lathes for micro-parts — min Ø0.5mm shafts, L/D ratio up to 60:1. Threads, off-center holes, and milled features in one operation.
Wire & Sinker EDM
EDM for hardened tool steels (60+ HRC) and exotic superalloys. Wire EDM achieves Ra 0.2µm and ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm on sharp internal corners where conventional tooling cannot reach.
Aluminum CNC Prototype Fabrication
Certified aerospace and medical-grade metals from verified billet. Al 6061/7075/2024, SS 304/316L/17-4PH, Ti Grade 2/5, Inconel 718/625, Hastelloy, Brass C360, Copper C110 — all with AMS/ASTM mill certificates.
Titanium & PEEK Machining
Medical and chemical-resistant material machining. Ti-6Al-4V titanium machining, PEEK (ISO 10993 biocompatible), POM/Delrin, PTFE, Nylon PA6/66/12, PC, PMMA, UHMWPE, PEI Ultem, Vespel PI — precision ground from certified stock.
Assembly-Ready Prototypes
Complete multi-component assemblies — up to 50+ machined parts — with hardware installation, press-fit assembly, leak testing, and functional verification. Ships as a ready-to-integrate unit with full assembly documentation.
The MW+ CNC
Prototyping Workflow
Our 6-step workflow delivers full transparency and certified quality — from your first file upload to arrival at your door, anywhere in the world.
File Submission & Secure Upload
Upload STEP, IGES, SolidWorks, Parasolid, or DXF/PDF via our 24/7 encrypted portal. NDA executed before any file access. No CAD? Submit a PDF sketch — we'll model it.
Free DFM Analysis — 24-Hour Report
Every order includes a no-cost DFM report within 24 hours. We flag undercuts, thin walls below 0.5mm, conflicting tolerances, and opportunities to reduce cost without sacrificing function.
Itemized Quote & Material Confirmation
Transparent pricing broken down by material, operations, surface treatment, and inspection. Firm lead times confirmed at acceptance. Standard 5–7 days, Express 2–3 days, Rush same-day quoting.
CAM Programming & Toolpath Optimization
CAM engineers generate optimized toolpaths with full 5-axis simultaneous strategies. Fixturing validated in simulation. In-process Renishaw touch probes configured for critical dimension checks after each operation.
Multi-Axis Machining with In-Process Verification
Parts cut on DMG MORI NMV 5000 and Mazak VARIAXIS i-500 5-axis centers or Citizen Cincom L32 Swiss lathes. Renishaw OMP60 probing verifies critical dimensions after each operation. Any out-of-tolerance dimension triggers an immediate hold.
Zeiss CMM Inspection, Post-Processing & Global Shipping
100% of features inspected on Zeiss Contura CMM (±1.5µm). Surface roughness measured per ISO 4287. Full documentation package compiled. Packed in anti-static export cartons — shipped DHL/FedEx tracked and insured from Shenzhen.
CNC Prototyping Technical Specifications
Complete machining parameters and equipment specifications for engineering reference and vendor qualification.
From CAD File to
Certified Metal Part
in Days
CNC prototyping machines functional parts from certified billet stock — giving you the exact material properties of your final production design. Every material used is the real certified alloy your product demands.
Isotropic Strength — Superior to 3D Printing
Uniform mechanical properties in all directions. No layer lines, no Z-axis weakness. Critical for load-bearing and fatigue-cycled metal components.
Certified Material Traceability
Machine from 7075-T6 aluminum (σy 503 MPa), Grade 5 titanium (σy 880 MPa), 316L stainless, and PEEK — all with AMS/ASTM mill certificates and heat lot traceability.
±0.001mm to ±0.005mm Verified Accuracy
5-axis CNC machining with Renishaw in-process probing and Zeiss CMM final verification (±1.5µm). H7/h6 bore fits, GD&T callouts, Ra 0.4µm surface finish.
Regulatory-Ready Documentation
Full CMM report, surface profilometry, mill cert, and CoC on every order — ready for FDA 510(k), aerospace PPAP, and AS9100 first article audits.
50+ Engineering-Grade Materials
Every material is certified, AMS/ASTM traceable, with full mill certificates on every order — including aluminum CNC prototype stock, titanium machining alloys, and PEEK machining grades. No substitutions without written approval.
| Alloy / Grade | Yield Strength | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Al 7075-T6 AMS 2770 | 503 MPa | Aerospace, high-load prototypes |
| Al 6061-T6 ASTM B209 | 276 MPa | General structural, robotics |
| Al 2024-T4 ASTM B209 | 324 MPa | Aircraft, fatigue applications |
| Material | Grade / Spec | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | 304 / 316L / 17-4PH / 15-5PH | Very High |
| Titanium | Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 · AMS 4928 | 880 MPa |
| Inconel | 718 / 625 · AMS 5662 | Extreme |
| Brass / Copper | C360 / C110 OFE | Medium |
| Material | Max Temp | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| PEEK (ISO 10993) | 250°C | Medical, aerospace seals |
| POM / Delrin | 120°C | Gears, bushings, sliders |
| PTFE | 260°C | Seals, chemical process parts |
| PEI Ultem 1010 | 217°C | Medical, aerospace interior |
STEP preferred. 2D PDF required alongside 3D models for GD&T verification. No CAD? Submit a sketch — we'll model your parts.
Industries That
Trust MW+ Prototyping
From Silicon Valley startups to Tier-1 aerospace primes — our CNC prototyping powers innovation wherever certified material properties and tight tolerances matter.
Robotics & Automation
Precision joints, harmonic drive housings, servo mounts, and structural frames to ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm. In-house assembly verification available.
Medical Technology
ISO 13485 compliant. PEEK / Ti implant prototypes, surgical tools, FDA 510(k)-ready documentation packages.
Aerospace & UAV
AS9100 documentation, PPAP available. 7075-T6 aluminum, Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel for flight-critical prototypes. ITAR compliant.
Electric Vehicles
Battery enclosures, motor mounts, thermal management components, and powertrain housings in heat-resistant alloys and copper.
Consumer Electronics
Precision aluminum enclosures with tight EMI tolerances, Class-A cosmetic finishes, and hard-anodized wear surfaces.
Defense & Optics
ITAR-compliant. Gimbal mounts, optical housings, and targeting components with classified-part handling and secure data management.
Semiconductor Equipment
Ultra-clean machined components for wafer handling, vacuum chambers, and process tools. Cleanroom packaging available.
Startups & R&D Labs
No MOQ. Agile iterations, 24-hour DFM feedback, NDA-protected IP. Proof-of-concept to bridge production in days.
Quality Control
Built Into Every Part
Quality is embedded at every production stage — from DFM review through final Zeiss CMM measurement. No prototype ships without a complete inspection report.
Metrology & Inspection
Zeiss Contura CMM — ±1.5µm Accuracy
Full 3D verification against your CAD model. Every feature balloon-numbered to 2D drawing. Reports in PDF and Excel/CSV for SPC analysis.
Surface Roughness Profilometry
Mahr profilometer contact measurement of Ra, Rz, Rmax on all specified surfaces per ISO 4287.
Full GD&T Tolerance Verification
ISO 2768 plus ASME Y14.5: flatness, cylindricity, parallelism, perpendicularity, true position, concentricity, runout — all measured and documented.
Material Mill Certificates & Traceability
AMS/ASTM chemical composition, mechanical properties (UTS, yield, elongation), and heat lot number traceable from receipt to shipment.
Renishaw In-Process Touch Probing
OMP60 probes installed on 5-axis centers. Critical dimensions verified after each operation — parts held for review if any feature falls outside tolerance.
Certifications & Compliance
ISO 9001
2015 certified QMS covering all CNC prototyping, machining, inspection, documentation, and delivery. Annual third-party surveillance audits.
Certified ActiveISO 13485
Medical device manufacturing standard. Complete documentation for FDA 510(k) and CE Mark submissions. PEEK and 316L medical prototyping.
Medical GradeITAR
Compliant facility for defense and sensitive aerospace prototyping. Strict access controls, personnel vetting, and encrypted data handling.
Defense ReadyNDA+IP
Mutual NDA before any file transfer. AES-256 encrypted servers with role-based access. Files purged on project completion upon request.
IP ProtectedShenzhen CNC Prototyping,
Global Reach
Shenzhen's hardware ecosystem gives MW+ unmatched access to cutting tools, precision instruments, and raw materials — with 70+ engineers delivering competitive lead times globally.
2–7 Business Day Firm Lead Times
Standard 5–7 days, Express 2–3 days, Rush available. Lead times confirmed in writing at order acceptance — not estimates.
50+ Countries — Door-to-Door Tracked
DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, UPS Worldwide. All shipments fully insured with commercial invoice, packing list, and COO.
98% On-Time Delivery Rate
Tracked across 850+ client teams. Proactive communication if any production variable changes. Real-time order status portal.
AES-256 Encrypted IP Protection
CAD data on encrypted servers with role-based access and CCTV monitoring. Files never shared with subcontractors. Data purged on request.
MW+ Precision Manufacturing Services
Everything You Need to
Know Before Ordering
Common technical and commercial questions about CNC prototyping, 5-axis CNC machining, and aluminum, titanium, and PEEK machining — answered by our engineering team.
Standard orders ship in 5–7 business days. Express in 2–3 days. Rush production with same-day quoting is available for critical programs. All lead times are firm confirmed commitments — not estimates.
General tolerance per ISO 2768-m (±0.1mm). Precision routinely achieves ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm on critical features. EDM achieves ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm. Every critical dimension is verified on Zeiss Contura CMM (±1.5µm) with a full dimensional report included.
Yes. Titanium machining in Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 (AMS 4928) is a core capability, used for aerospace, medical, and defense prototypes needing high strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.
Yes. PEEK machining to ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards is available, along with POM, PTFE, and PEI Ultem, for medical, aerospace, and chemical-resistant prototype components.
STEP (.stp/.step) preferred, IGES, SolidWorks (.sldprt/.sldasm), Parasolid (.x_t), AutoCAD (.dwg/.dxf), Catia V5, and PDF drawings. A 2D PDF is required alongside 3D models if GD&T callouts need CMM verification.
Yes — every order includes a no-cost DFM report within 24 hours, identifying undercut geometries, thin walls below 0.5mm, conflicting tolerance callouts, and cost-reduction opportunities.
No MOQ. We machine single parts for R&D validation and scale to hundreds for bridge production. Volume pricing applies automatically at 5, 10, 25, and 50+ pieces.
Yes. DMG MORI NMV 5000 and Mazak VARIAXIS i-500 handle undercuts, freeform surfaces, compound angles, and multi-face features in one setup, eliminating re-fixturing error.
Yes — 50+ countries via DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, and UPS Worldwide. All shipments include commercial invoice, packing list, HS code classification, Certificate of Origin, and export declaration.
Yes. MetalWorksPlus is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485 certified, and ITAR compliant, operating a 5,000 m² CNC machining facility in Shenzhen with full CMM documentation on every order.
Mutual NDA signed before any file is shared. CAD data stored on AES-256 encrypted servers in a CCTV-monitored, access-controlled facility. Files never shared with subcontractors and purged on written request.
Get Your CNC Prototype
in 2–7 Days
Upload your CAD files and receive an itemized quote within 24 hours. Our Shenzhen engineers will run a free DFM analysis and get your parts into production — same day if needed.
NDA signed before file transfer · Free DFM analysis · Quotes within 24 hours