01
The tolerance was never buildable
A ±0.005 mm callout on a 500 mm thin-wall aluminum part is a drawing wish. Without a DFM pass, the shop quotes it, machines it, and the first article comes back out of tolerance.
Custom CNC Machining
High Precision Custom CNC Machining Services
Send a drawing or a 3D model. We machine metal and plastic parts to ±0.005 mm on 127 CNC machines, quote within 12 hours, and run one prototype or 10,000 parts.
±0.005 mm tolerance16 five-axis centers3–5 day shippingNo minimum orderISO 9001:2015Blue oxidation
±0.005 mmAchievable tolerance on tight features
127High-precision CNC machines
16Simultaneous 5-axis centers
15YMachining since 2011
Where it goes wrong
Four problems that stop a precision part
Most failed jobs are not machining problems. They are decisions made before the spindle starts.
02
Setup swaps add stack-up error
A part that needs four orientations usually means three re-clamps. Each re-clamp adds positional error. Holes that were coaxial on the model end up 0.03 mm off on the bench.
03
Finishing eats the tolerance
Anodizing and black oxide build a layer on the surface. If the machinist leaves no allowance, a Ø10 mm pin that passed inspection comes back undersized after blue oxidation.
04
One prototype, no follow-on path
The shop that turns a single prototype in a week often cannot repeat it at 5,000 pieces. You pay for a second supplier, a second setup, and a second first-article report.
How we hold precision
Machining built around the drawing, not around the machine
Five-axis work, in-process checks, and a finishing plan decided before the first cut.
Five-axis as the default
Fewer setups, tighter position between features
Complex geometry with angled faces, deep pockets, and holes on multiple sides is where setup count decides the result. We run 16 simultaneous 5-axis machining centers so a part that would take four orientations on a 3-axis mill often comes off in one or two.
Every extra clamp is a chance to lose position. Cutting setups cuts that risk. Part sizes reach 4,000 mm on the long axis, with work envelopes of 750 × 1,150 × 550 mm and 600 × 600 × 600 mm for the mid-size platforms.
- 116 simultaneous 5-axis centersAngled faces and compound holes in one cycle
- 2Ø400 mm rotary tableContinuous rotary work for round and helical features
- 34,000 mm maximum part lengthLong rails and frames without splitting the part
Inspection and finishing
Tolerance that survives the finishing line
A machined part is not finished until the surface treatment is on it. We plan the finishing allowance into the CAM model, so a bore stays in spec after anodizing, electroless nickel, or black oxide. Blue oxidation on aluminum and steel is a common request for parts that need a consistent dark finish and mild corrosion resistance.
Raw material certificates come in before cutting. In-process checks run while the part is still on the machine. Final inspection is 100% before shipment, and dimensional reports are available on request.
- 1Ra 0.8–1.6 μm standardRa 0.2–0.8 μm when the drawing calls for it
- 2Finishing allowance in CAMBores and fits stay in tolerance after coating
- 3100% inspection before shipmentInspection reports issued on request
Material selection
Which material fits which part
Pick the alloy from the load case and the finishing plan, not from the price list alone.
| Material | Typical parts | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 aluminum | Brackets, housings, fixtures | Anodizing color shifts between lots |
| 7075 aluminum | Aerospace ribs, high-load arms | Poor weldability, higher cost |
| 304 / 316L stainless | Medical and food-contact parts | Work hardening during turning |
| 17-4PH stainless | Shafts, valves, high-strength pins | Needs heat treat for full hardness |
| Brass C36000 | Fittings, connectors, threaded parts | Not for high-stress structural use |
| POM / PEEK | Bushings, insulators, wear parts | Thermal growth on long parts |
| Ti-6Al-4V | Implant and aerospace parts | Tool wear drives cycle time up |
What we run
Services on the same floor
Machining, finishing, and inspection under one roof keeps the handoffs short.
5-Axis
5-Axis CNC Machining
Complex geometry, angled faces, and contoured surfaces cut in one or two setups on 16 simultaneous centers.
3+4
3- and 4-Axis CNC Machining
27 three-axis and 12 four-axis machines for prismatic parts, plates, and jobs where five axes add cost without benefit.
Mill-Turn
CNC Milling & Turning
16 mill-turn centers handle turned parts with cross-features, so a shaft does not need a second operation.
Proto
Rapid Prototyping
One-off and low-volume parts for fit checks and design reviews, with the same tolerance targets as production.
Finish
Part Surface Finishing
Anodizing, plating, powder coating, black oxide, bead blasting, brushing, and laser marking.
Sheet
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Enclosures, brackets, and panels when a part is better formed than cut from solid stock.
Scope
What a job includes
Standard scope on every order, from one piece to a full run.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) on tight features |
| Surface finish | Ra 1.6–3.2 μm as machined; Ra 0.2–0.8 μm on request |
| Order size | No minimum order quantity; one prototype to 10,000+ parts |
| Lead time | Quote and free DFM analysis in 12 hours; parts ship in 3–5 days |
| Materials | Aluminum, stainless, steel, brass, copper, titanium, and plastics |
| Documentation | Material certs, dimensional reports, and inspection records on request |
| Confidentiality | Secure uploads; NDA available on request |
| Quality system | ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 27001:2022 |
Why GreatLight
Numbers behind the quote
±0.005
Tolerance we hold
Tight features are machined and verified to ±0.005 mm. If a callout is not buildable, we say so during DFM instead of after the first article.
127
CNC machines on site
Sixteen 5-axis centers, twelve 4-axis mills, twenty-seven 3-axis machines, and sixteen mill-turn centers. Capacity is not subcontracted out.
99.99%
Qualification rate
Parts that pass final inspection against the drawing, measured across production runs.
12 h
Quote turnaround
A quotation and a free DFM analysis land within 12 hours of a complete file upload.
24 h
Production start
Once the drawing and material are confirmed, cutting can start within 24 hours.
15Y
Machining since 2011
Three wholly-owned plants, 7,600 m² of floor space, and 150 technicians in Dongguan and Singapore.
7,600 m²Manufacturing space
150Technicians
3Wholly-owned plants
<2%Historical late-delivery rate
Sector requirements
What each industry demands, and what we deliver
Aerospace
Traceability and tight position on structural parts.
- ±0.005 mm
- Material certs
- 100% inspection
Automotive & EV
Repeatable geometry across production batches.
- IATF 16949
- Batch repeatability
- 3–5 day ship
Medical Devices
Cleanable surfaces and documented inspection.
- ISO 13485
- Ra 0.8–1.6 μm
- Inspection reports
Robotics & Automation
Lightweight arms and end-effectors that stay in spec.
- 7075 / 6061
- Mill-turn
- No MOQ
FAQs
Questions engineers send us
What tolerance can you actually hold on a production part?
±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) on tight features is our standard capability. The limit is set by part geometry, not by the machine alone. A short, well-supported feature holds tighter than a long thin wall.
Send the drawing and we will flag any callout that needs a design change before quoting.
When does 5-axis make sense over 3-axis?
Use five axes when the part has features on more than two faces, angled holes, or contoured surfaces. Fewer setups mean less stack-up error and shorter cycle time.
For flat plates and simple prismatic parts, three-axis machining is faster and cheaper. We quote whichever fits.
How does blue oxidation affect part dimensions?
Blue oxidation and other conversion coatings build a thin layer on the surface, usually a few micrometres. On a Ø10 mm pin with no allowance, that growth can push the part out of tolerance.
We plan the finishing allowance in CAM so the coated part still meets the drawing.
Can you run one prototype and then the same part at volume?
Yes. There is no minimum order quantity, so a single part and a 10,000-piece run go through the same process. Fixtures and CAM programs carry over from prototype to production.
That removes the second supplier, second setup, and second first-article report.
What files do you need for a quote?
A STEP or IGES model plus a 2D drawing with tolerances, material, finish, and quantity. The drawing matters most, because model geometry does not carry GD&T.
Upload the files through the quote page and you get a price and a free DFM analysis within 12 hours.
How do you handle parts that must stay confidential?
Uploads are handled as confidential, and we sign an NDA on request. File access is limited to the engineers working on the job.
We can also quote from a simplified model if you prefer not to release full geometry at the first stage.
What surface finishes are available?
Anodizing in clear, color, hardcoat, and conductive types; electroless nickel, zinc, silver, and gold plating; powder coating and black oxide; bead blasting, tumbling, brushing, and polishing.
Laser marking is available with a minimum character height of 1.5 mm.
How do you inspect before shipment?
Incoming raw material is checked against the certificate. Dimensions are monitored in process while the part is on the machine. Final inspection is 100% before shipment.
Dimensional reports and inspection records are issued on request.
Send the drawing, get a price in 12 hours
Upload your model and 2D drawing. You get a quotation and a free DFM analysis within 12 hours, and production can start within 24 hours of confirmation.
12-hour quote100% inspectionNo minimum orderNDA on request
