How To Choose Your CNC Machining Stainless Steel Manufacturer

by ProCam Services LLC. | Feb 2, 2023 | CNC Machining

Stainless steel is a popular material for CNC machining due to its durability, low maintenance requirements, and resistance to corrosion and heat. It can also be precisely machined, making it suitable for parts requiring tight tolerances and exact dimensions. In addition, it is a highly versatile metal with applications in various industries, including construction, automotive, and medical.

Finding the right CNC machining stainless steel manufacturer can be a challenging task. In this guide, we will provide you with tips and considerations to help you choose the best manufacturer for your specific needs.

Benefits of Using Stainless Steel for CNC Machining

Stainless steel is a type of steel that comprises at least 10.5% chromium, iron, and carbon. Adding chromium to steel creates a thin layer of oxide on the surface, which infuses corrosion resistance and a shiny appearance. Furthermore, it is offered in various grades, allowing it to be machined for multiple applications.

Listed below are some additional advantages of stainless steel:

• Ability to withstand high stress and pressure without breaking or bending
• Capability to endure high temperatures
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance
• Excellent resistance to rust and corrosion
• High tolerance for precision machining

Factors To Consider When Choosing a CNC Machining Stainless Steel Manufacturer

When choosing a CNC machining manufacturer for your stainless steel parts, there are several factors to consider to make an informed decision. Among the most important considerations are the following:

Material Availability

Find a manufacturer that offers a variety of stainless steel grades to ensure that your material needs are met. Also, a company with a larger CNC material inventory is likely capable of handling high-volume production. 

Here are some common grades of stainless steel for CNC machining:

• 304: This is one of the most widely used grades and is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and ease of fabrication.
• 303: This stainless steel has excellent machinability, making it ideal for components with tight tolerances.
• 306: This grade’s superior corrosion resistance makes it an excellent option for components exposed to harsh environments, such as salt water.
• 17-4PH: This grade has high-temperature resistance, ideal for aerospace and medical applications.

Experience

An experienced manufacturer will thoroughly understand the properties of different stainless steel grades and how to machine them optimally. This expertise and knowledge can also help ensure that your parts are manufactured to the highest quality standards. Similarly, verify whether the manufacturer has worked on similar projects in the past to avoid costly mistakes.

Equipment

A reliable partner will have durable and precise manufacturing equipment, including the most recent software and programs. This is especially important to avoid the possibility of breakdowns that could cause production delays. Moreover, advanced pieces of equipment can be more cost-effective in the long run as they can produce precise parts, resulting in fewer mistakes and less waste.

Quality Control

A manufacturer with a strong quality control system can guarantee that the parts you receive meet specifications, industry standards, and safety regulations. Additionally, it ensures few to no defects in the machined components. This can reduce the expenses associated with rework, repairs, and replacements.

Certifications

ISO certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality control and continuous improvement. It also shows that they have implemented a quality management system that meets or exceeds international standards. 

Budget

Considering the budget ensures that you receive the best value for your money. It is recommended to obtain quotes from multiple manufacturers to compare the costs of the parts and any additional fees.

Choose ProCam Services for Premium Machining Services

At ProCam Services, we take pride in our full-service machine shop equipped with the most advanced CNC technology. We can also machine many materials, including stainless steel and its different grades. Moreover, we offer secondary operations like welding, grinding, fabrication, specialty coatings, and assembly.

Contact us to find out more about the services we provide!

How To Choose Your CNC Machining Metal Manufacturer

by ProCam Services LLC. | Jan 7, 2023 | CNC Machining

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Precision computer numerical control (CNC) machining is one of the most recent innovations in the manufacturing sector. It allows manufacturers to increase production speed and efficiency while reducing errors. It also enables the usage of special equipment to transform big chunks of material into more precise components. Whether you have a large or small project that requires CNC machining, choosing the right manufacturing company to partner with is crucial. You must plan your process for selecting the ideal service provider for your needs to avoid expensive and time-consuming mistakes. This article will walk you through the key factors when choosing the right CNC machining metal manufacturer for your project.

Considerations When Choosing a CNC Machining Metal Manufacturer

Choosing a great manufacturer significantly contributes to a project’s success. However, choosing a reliable service provider is challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with CNC machining metal services. Here are some factors to take into account that will help you choose the best:

Experience

In general, the longer a manufacturer has been practicing CNC machining, the more competent the manufacturer gets. If the company has been in the precision machining industry for more than 10 years, it should have amassed a great deal of experience in the field. For instance, they can usually handle difficult-to-process metals. However, it is necessary to conduct additional research to determine whether they have previously worked on similar projects. Even if a company has decades of experience, it may not be the ideal option if it cannot meet your specific needs.

Equipment and Material Availability

A reputable manufacturer must have the main CNC machines. Among them are machining centers, milling machines, lathes, W-EDM machines, drilling equipment, and many others. Additionally, you should determine if they offer a vast selection of metals. The following are commonly used metals for CNC machining:

• Carbon steel
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Titanium
• Brass
• Copper
• Magnesium

Quality Control

The quality control of a company can make or break your project. To ensure that your machined components are of the highest quality, confirm that the manufacturer has extensive measuring and testing capabilities. From the metal selection until shipment, a qualified CNC machining manufacturer should inspect each procedure and present you with testing results.

Design Expertise

Choose a service provider with excellent design capabilities because they are well-versed in design constraints and machining requirements. They can also quickly assess the machinability of a component, provide suggestions for changing it to better meet your standards, or create the design for you.

Pricing

Low pricing is not indicative of high-quality work. Choosing a company based solely on pricing could waste time, money, and effort as you seek a second facility to fix the initial service provider’s poor performance. A reputable machining manufacturer will always allow the customer to retain the maximum profit to maximize their own. You can obtain quotations from various manufacturers for comparison. Then, choose the company that provides the best combination of quality, turnaround time, and price.

After-Sale Service

After-sale service is crucial, especially for custom CNC machining metal services. Ensure that the company will provide samples to determine the quality of the machined component. Occasionally, you may not receive the correct part the first time, necessitating the request for a second sample. In such situations, confirm whether the manufacturer is willing to redo everything.

Choose ProCam Services for Quality Machined Components

At ProCam Services LLC, our primary objective is to surpass all other machine shop standards in terms of aesthetics, quality, and delivery at competitive prices! We have state-of-the-art equipment and extensive industry experience, ensuring we will complete the project for you. We also offer tool and die services, fabrication, a selection of coatings and finishes, and unique materials for conveyor systems and specialized machinery. Contact us today to find out more about the services we provide!

How To Choose Your CNC Machining Aluminum Manufacturer

by ProCam Services LLC. | Oct 11, 2022 | CNC Machining

CNC machining is a combination of traditional and modern manufacturing techniques. This process uses a computer numerical control or CNC system to effortlessly cut and shape materials into objects. Without CNC machining, processing materials into intricately shaped and detailed components would be tough to achieve. Moreover, a CNC machine reaches an extremely high level of precision compared to manual labor, and it does this consistently and accurately, despite multiple repetitions of the process. Using Aluminum for CNC Machining Among all materials used for CNC machining, aluminum is among the best options. It is highly machinable, inexpensive, and three or four times faster to machine than steel or titanium. In addition, this material possesses excellent flexibility and an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal choice for making exterior skin panels for vehicles on land, air, and water. Other advantages of using aluminum for CNC machining include the following: Excellent corrosion resistance Outstanding electrical conductivity Resistance to low temperatures Great potential for surface finishing and anodization Recyclability What Types of Aluminum Are Used for CNC Machining? On its own, aluminum is too weak for commercial use. So, to achieve strength, pure molten aluminum is combined with copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and zinc to form an alloy and enhance aluminum’s other properties. Three common alloys are used in aluminum CNC machining: cast aluminum, aluminum lithium, and wrought aluminum alloys. Cast Aluminum Alloy Cast aluminum alloys are affordable, lightweight, versatile, and durable and perform well under high temperatures. This alloy is famously used in the automotive industry for engine parts, housing, steering columns, and structural support. Cast aluminum alloys are inexpensive to produce because they possess a low melting point and can easily be shaped. However, it does have a lower tensile strength, is not as easy to machine, and is more hard-wearing on cutting tools. Aluminum Lithium Alloy The second aluminum alloy used for aluminum CNC machining is aluminum lithium alloy. This alloy is primarily used in aerospace manufacturing due to its lightweight nature, making it the prime choice for lower wing skins, inner wing structures, fuselages, and fan blades for aerial vehicles. Aluminum lithium alloys are also used for race cars and space rockets. The downside to using aluminum lithium alloys for CNC machining is it does not have a high fracture toughness. This means that when this alloy is cracked, it becomes compromised and weak to resist further cracking. Aluminum lithium alloys are also more expensive compared to cast aluminum alloys. Wrought Aluminum Alloy The last but best aluminum alloy for CNC machining is wrought aluminum. Wrought alloys have superior mechanical properties and structural integrity compared to cast aluminum alloys. They are also easier to machine and make for better surface finishes since they are less hard-wearing on the edges of cutting tools. Things To Consider When Choosing a CNC Machining Aluminum Manufacturer Getting acquainted with aluminum CNC machining is only one part of the equation; picking a suitable CNC machining aluminum manufacturer is the more crucial aspect. Choosing service providers for this task is not difficult. Here are four factors to look at when canvassing manufacturers. Long-Term Value Return When picking a CNC machining aluminum manufacturer, the cheapest option is not always the best. Instead, choose a service provider that offers excellent processing results and puts in the time and effort to coordinate with you to meet and surpass your expectations. This meticulousness will save you time and money, so always choose quality over plain affordability. Then, in the long run, you’ll have a partner manufacturer you can rely on to consistently deliver outstanding results. Superior Machining Experience Experience should be factored in when deciding which manufacturer to choose; a long experience providing excellent service is how CNC machining aluminum manufacturers earn their stripes. In addition, the time they have spent in the industry can say a lot about their products. Usually, the longer a manufacturer spends engaged in the CNC machining industry, the more they can amass the necessary skills and experience to meet high standards. Reliable Team and Equipment Before partnering with a machining service provider, always check if they have the equipment and facility to do the job efficiently and deliver on time without sacrificing the quality of the finished products. A manufacturer offering machining services should not only have the necessary skills but should also have machines for milling, lathe grinding, and other processing methods. The best CNC machining aluminum manufacturer should have the proper equipment to handle complex projects. Proof of Quality Standards for Products When choosing a CNC machining aluminum manufacturer, you should pick one that can walk the talk. This means that manufacturers must ensure that the quality of the products they have created for you is up to your standards. A few more essential things to look out for when checking the manufacturer for their quality is if they have quality control methods, including product testing. Choose ProCam Services for Your Machining Needs! We at ProCam Services offer the services you need for CNC machining aluminum and more. Our state-of-the-art, 38,000 sq. ft. full-service machine shop, top-of-the-line equipment, and industry experience ensures that we will get the job done. We also have the right machining equipment to process carbon steel, stainless steel, plastics, and aluminum. Aside from machining services, we also offer tool and die services, fabrication services, a wide selection of specialty coatings and finishes, and custom components for conveyors and special machines! Our process here at ProCam Services is simple. Our goal is to offer you peace of mind that your orders will arrive on time and with the intended quality and specifications. To this end, you may contact us to discuss project details. Next, we will provide you with a fast quote. After which, all you need to do is place your order and sit back as we finish the job for you! To know more about us at ProCam Services L.L.C., contact us today!

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How to Choose Your CNC Machining Plastic For Manufacturing

by ProCam Services LLC. | Oct 10, 2022 | CNC Machining

Plastics' versatility and multiple benefits make them one of the most valuable engineering materials available today. However, this does not mean you should make plastic prototypes using any machining technique. If the material and method are incompatible, the manufacturing process will not be successful and will not provide the desired results. Each material has distinct characteristics that make it ideal for a particular use. Computer Numerical Control, or CNC machining, is one of the many alternative technologies for making prototypes. It is a computerized manufacturing process in which software and codes control the motion of production equipment, including grinders, lathes, and turning mills. These are used to cut, shape, and create various prototypes and parts. If you use plastic material to design and manufacture parts, they should be CNC machined. There is a plethora of machinable plastic to select from for plastic machining, each with its properties and capabilities. CNC-machined plastic components make excellent prototypes and are readily available. Before machining, select the most suitable and optimal CNC machining plastic for your product. To help you with this, here are the different CNC machining plastic and a quick look at their qualities and capabilities!

ABS

ABS is a thermoplastic polymer with strong impact resistance, low electrical conductivity, and high chemical resistance. Due to its adaptability, ABS is widely beneficial and one of the known plastic compatible with CNC machining. Some applications where ABS is utilized are producing automobile components, toys, and sporting goods. On the other hand, while it is less expensive than other plastic materials, it is essential to note that it cannot sustain high temperatures for an extended period.

Nylon

Nylon is a polyamide polymer and a strong and durable plastic used for various purposes. It has good machinability, moderate flame resistance, and high strength, among other advantages. Nylon tolerates high temperatures and is resistant to wear. In addition, it is chemically and thermally resistant and has the rigidity and strength to withstand deformation under load conditions. These characteristics make it an excellent material for insulators, bearings, wheels, and consumer electronic enclosures. Nylon is a fantastic option for applications that require inexpensive, sturdy, and durable components. Electrical insulation, medical devices, circuit board mounting hardware, vehicle engine compartment components, and aerospace components are the most prevalent applications for nylon. Many of these applications serve as a cost-effective substitute for metals. Additionally, glass-filled nylon is a common material that is excellent for CNC machining.

Acrylic

PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) plastic is acrylic's chemical makeup, also known as Plexiglass and Luctie. PMMA is an alternative to glass and light pipes since it is durable, transparent, scratch-resistant, and impact-resistant. Additionally, it may be easily glued using acrylic cement. Other popular applications include vehicle light components, light tubes, tanks, display panels, clear enclosures, food storage containers, and lenses or other optical engineering components. If a machined surface requires transparency, it can be polished as an additional post-processing step. Acrylic surfaces that have been machined lose their clarity and acquire a frosted, translucent appearance. As a result, it is generally advisable to indicate whether or not an acrylic component should be left at a stock thickness to preserve transparency.

HDPE

HDPE is an abbreviation for high-density polyethylene. Its crystalline structure makes it naturally opaque and waxy, but it can also be dyed black. HDPE offers excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and a slick surface. It has a low friction coefficient and good low-temperature impact resistance. Additionally, it is inexpensive and durable for CNC-machined plastic parts. HDPE is used in gasoline tanks, plastic bottles, fluid pipes, and other applications. Due to its chemical resistance and slipperiness, it is ideal for producing plugs and seals, but it is also an excellent option for weight-sensitive or electrically sensitive applications. The sole disadvantage of this material for CNC machining would be its low strength, particularly in tension and bending, making it susceptible to stress fractures.

Delrin or POM

Delrin or Polyoxymethylene (POM) is a suitable CNC machining plastic for high-friction, tight-tolerance, or stiff applications. Its reliability and durability make it popular in commercial markets. In addition, Delrin has the advantage of its superior resistance to impact, chemicals, moisture, and fatigue. Delrin is utilized in gears, bearings, bushings, fasteners, assembly jigs, automotive, construction, and electronics components. The downside, however, is that Delrin's slipperiness makes it difficult to glue. The material's inherent tensions make it warp-prone in thin or asymmetrically removed portions. Overheating Delrin or POM can cause harmful off-gassing.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is the most durable plastic for CNC machining. In addition, it is one of the world's most frequently CNC-machined and recycled plastics. It is offered commercially in a black hue, despite its inherent milky-blue transparency, which is glossy. Polycarbonate offers strong impact resistance, rigidity, and temperature stability. It is 250 times more impact-resistant than glass and more resilient than acrylic. This quality makes it suitable for robust, transparent plastic applications, such as CDs, DVDs, mobile phones, and bulletproof glass. Additionally, pure polycarbonate is scratchable and wears quickly, which is why it is post-processed with anti-scratch coatings and vapor polishing to improve wear resistance or optical clarity.

The Bottom Line

In terms of functional qualities, many plastics can replace metals. And CNC machining is the most excellent alternative if you want to work with a challenging plastic material or produce complex prototypes with enhanced structural strength! ProCam Services LLC can create prototypes or mass quantities of sophisticated, precision-machined components with extremely tight tolerances. We process many materials, including plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel. We've been known for precisely meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work for years. Learn more about our services and capabilities by contacting us today!

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