KEY TAKEAWAYS PEEK machining calls for annealed stock, sharp positive-rake tooling (carbide for unfilled grades, PCD for reinforced grades), and active heat control, since PEEKs low thermal conductivity traps heat at the cutting edge. Machined correctly, PEEK holds tolerances in the ±0.001 in to ±0.005 in range and serves medical, aerospace, and semiconductor parts where metal alternatives fall short.Cut PEEK the way youd cut aluminum and the part comes out gummy, warped, or both. The material doesnt shear cleanly like metal, and treating it that way is the single most common reason PEEK jobs get scrapped on the first run.This guide covers how PEEK behaves differently from metal under a cutting tool, which grade and tooling to pick, what actually drives tolerance and finish, and the standards that matter once a part is headed for a regulated application.Where Machined PEEK Parts Actually Show UpMachined PEEK parts turn up wherever a design needs metal-like strength and heat resistan...

KEY DEFINITION Nylon CNC machining removes material from solid nylon stock using computer controlled mills and lathes to produce gears, bushings, spacers, and structural parts. It works best for low to mid volume runs where strength, wear resistance, and dimensional accuracy matter more than unit cost, though heat and moisture control are essential to hold tight tolerances.Cut a nylon part on Monday and check it again on Friday, and the numbers can shift. That is not a machining error. It is nylon behaving exactly as nylon does.This guide covers how nylon machines differently from metal, which grade fits which job, what tolerances are actually realistic, and what to check before picking a shop to run the parts.Where Nylon CNC Parts Actually Get UsedNylon CNC machining fits applications where a part needs to survive repeated motion and resist wear, not just look precise on a drawing. The following examples show where that trade-off pays off in practice.Gears and bearings: Conveyor sy...

KEY DEFINITION CNC machining ABS means milling or turning acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a rigid thermoplastic, into finished parts using standard cutting tools rather than injection molds. The material cuts cleanly at moderate speeds, holds tolerances around ±0.005 inch under good process control, and works well for prototypes, enclosures, and housings where impact resistance and paintability matter more than heat resistance.Most machinists who move from aluminum to plastic expect the material to fight back less, and with ABS that expectation mostly holds. The tool glides through it, chips come off in clean curls instead of dust, and a part that would take two setups in metal often finishes in one.This guide covers what actually makes ABS behave that way, where it ends up in finished products, and what to check before a design goes to the shop floor.What ABS Is Made Of, and Why It Machines WellABS gets its name from the three monomers that make it up, and each one contributes a s...

KEY DEFINITION Reflow soldering refers to joining electronic components to a printed circuit board by heating pre-applied solder paste until its alloy melts, wets the pads and terminations, and solidifies during cooling. Reliable results depend on paste selection, accurate printing, a measured thermal profile, and inspection.A board can look correctly assembled yet contain weak or bridged joints. Understanding the full reflow solder process helps engineers prevent these failures before they become rework, production delays, or field returns.What Is Reflow Solder?Reflow soldering is a core assembly method for surface-mount technology (SMT), including chip resistors, QFNs, and ball grid arrays (BGAs). It forms electrical and mechanical connections across many joints in one heating cycle. Bare PCB fabrication creates pads and interconnects; reflow joins components to those prepared surfaces.Types of Reflow Soldering and Their UsesReflow methods differ mainly in how they deliver heat. E...

A laser cutter machine uses a focused light beam to separate material along a programmed path. A CNC laser cutter automates that movement, making it useful for repeatable sheet profiles and intricate cutouts. The right choice depends on material, thickness, edge quality, and whether the part needs additional machining.A clean outline does not automatically make a part ready for assembly. Buyers also need accurate holes, suitable finishes, and predictable costs. Understanding how laser cutting works helps you choose equipment or a manufacturing service that matches the finished component.What is CNC Laser Cutting?CNC laser cutting is a thermal cutting process controlled by computer numerical control. A CNC laser cutting machine follows digital instructions to focus energy along a contour, melting, burning, or vaporizing material; assist gas helps clear the cut.The workflow starts with a CAD drawing. CAM software prepares the toolpath, cutting sequence, and compensation for kerf, the wid...

QUICK ANSWER To cut plexiglass, match the tool to the sheet thickness and shape: score and snap thin sheets for straight cuts, use a jigsaw for curves, or choose a circular saw for longer cuts. Keep the sheet supported, use sharp acrylic-compatible tooling, and control heat. CNC machining suits repeat parts and detailed features.A cracked corner can ruin an otherwise usable acrylic panel. Learning how to cut plexiglass starts with preventing movement and heat, whether you are sizing a display cover or making an electronics enclosure. Plexiglass commonly means acrylic, or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).Choose a Cutting Method for Your SheetThickness, cut shape, and required accuracy determine which method makes sense. Use this comparison before buying a blade or marking the sheet.Your projectSuitable methodMain limitationThin sheet, straight cutAcrylic scoring knifeCannot follow curvesCurves or internal openingsJigsaw with acrylic bladeNeeds careful supportLong straight cutsGuided ci...

KEY DEFINITION A beveled edge is a sloped surface that replaces a square edge on a part. It can guide assembly, remove an exposed sharp corner, or prepare a joint for welding. For CNC manufacturing, specify the angle, size, location, and tolerance so the finished edge performs its intended function.A shaft that catches during insertion or a housing that feels sharp may need a better edge detail. This guide explains how to choose an edge profile, communicate its geometry, and avoid machining costs that add little value.Bevel, Chamfer, and Fillet: Which Profile Fits?A bevel and a chamfer both create an angled face; a fillet creates a curved transition. In shop usage, "chamfer" often describes a small corner cut, while "bevel" may describe a broader slope. These terms overlap, so dimensions matter more than the label.A chamfer is not restricted to 45°. The comparison below gives practical starting points.Edge profileGeometryTypical design purposeBevelSloped face, sized to suit the part...

KEY DEFINITION Stainless steel CNC machining uses computer controlled cutting tools to mill, turn, and drill stainless steel stock into precision parts. It works by removing material in controlled passes while managing the metals low thermal conductivity and tendency to work harden. Common grades include 303, 304, 316, and 17-4 PH, each suited to different corrosion resistance and strength needs. The process is used across medical, food, marine, and aerospace industries.Cut a block of aluminum and a block of stainless steel side by side, and the difference shows up immediately in the chips, the heat, and the tool wear. Stainless steel holds its shape and resists corrosion far better than most metals, but that same toughness makes it one of the more demanding materials to machine accurately. This guide walks through what the process actually involves, which grades fit which jobs, and how shops manage the challenges that come with cutting stainless steel to tight tolerances.What Is St...

Copper CNC machining is the process of shaping raw copper stock into finished parts using computer-controlled cutting tools. Because copper is soft and gummy, it requires sharp carbide tooling, high spindle speeds, and steady chip evacuation to avoid smearing, built-up edge, and dimensional drift during machining.Copper doesnt cut like aluminum, and it definitely doesnt cut like steel. Push a mill through it the wrong way and instead of clean shavings, the tool comes back wrapped in long, sticky ribbons of chip.This guide walks through why copper machines the way it does, which grade actually makes sense for a given part, and what keeps a job running clean from the first cut to the finished piece.Where Copper CNC Machining Shows Up in Real PartsCopper earns its place in a design whenever a part needs to carry current or pull heat away faster than steel or aluminum can manage. The applications cluster around a handful of jobs where conductivity, not raw strength, is the deciding factor....

KEY DEFINITION CNC milling and turning are both computer-controlled subtractive machining processes, but they remove material in opposite ways. Milling spins the cutting tool against a stationary workpiece, which suits flat faces, pockets, and irregular geometry. Turning spins the workpiece against a stationary tool, which is built for cylindrical parts like shafts, pins, and bushings. Most production shops run both.Ask a machinist which process wins the milling-versus-turning debate and youll usually get a shrug, because the honest answer is neither one wins. They solve different geometry problems, and a lot of real parts need both before theyre done.This guide breaks down how each process actually cuts metal, where the tolerances and costs genuinely differ, and how to decide which one (or both) your part needs.What Is CNC Milling?CNC milling is a subtractive process in which a rotating, multi-point cutting tool moves along a programmed path to remove material from a workpiece that...