FAQ
Common questions.
The things people usually ask before sending a job. If yours isn't here, just get in touch. We'll give you a straight answer.
These CNC machining FAQs cover what people ask before sending a job: which files to send, how fast a quote comes back (24-48 hours), whether there is a minimum order (no, one piece is fine), what tolerances are typical (around ±0.005 in, tighter where the print calls for it), materials, finishes, a C of C or material certs, how payment and purchase orders work, and what happens when there is no CAD file yet. Every answer below is what you would get by email, from a person.
01 What files do you need to get a quote?
Any file type works. A STEP file plus a drawing (PDF) for each part is ideal: the model for geometry, the drawing for tolerances and notes. For flat parts, a DXF or DWG works. A model with no drawing is quoted to a general tolerance of ±0.005 in, or the one your notes name. Every part is inspected against your model before it ships. The STEP-file quote page covers that route. Files are used only to quote and make the part; the privacy policy has the details.
02 How fast will I get a quote?
Usually within 24-48 hours. A person reads each request and replies by email, so there is no instant online price. If a job needs a closer look, we’ll tell you up front rather than leave you waiting. The quote turnaround page has the detail.
03 How long does it take to get parts?
There are three delivery tiers and the quote form asks which one you want, with Standard preselected. Rush is 1-2 weeks, for a date that already exists. Rush is quoted at a premium. Standard is 4-6 weeks, the typical window. Extended is 6-8 weeks, for a job that is not time-sensitive. Rush 1-2 weeks applies to machined parts with no secondary operations. Heat treat, grinding, EDM and finishing add time, and the quote gives the real date. Lead time starts at order approval. Put your need date in the part description and the quote answers it. How long custom machined parts take walks through where the weeks go.
04 Is there a minimum order?
No. One piece to production runs of 10,000: prototypes, short runs, and replacement parts to your print or CAD file are all welcome. Ask for more than one quantity, such as 1, 25 and 100, and the quote shows each. The no-minimum page has more.
05 What materials do you work with?
06 What tolerances can you hold?
It depends on the part and the process. Typical machined tolerance is ±0.005 in, ±0.001 in on critical turned diameters, and down to ±0.0002 in on wire-EDM and other finished features; ground features are quoted to ±0.0001 in. The quote states the tolerance for your part. Every part is inspected against your print before it ships. Position, perpendicularity and runout callouts are quoted from the print. CNC machining tolerances explains how a tolerance is chosen.
07 Which finishes are quoted with a part?
Anodizing on aluminum, powder coating on steel, stainless and aluminum, and passivation on stainless. A finish called out on the print is quoted with the part, and parts come back finished and inspected. A finish is quoted only with parts machined or laser-cut here. The surface finishes page compares them.
08 Do parts ship with a C of C or material certs, and what if a part is wrong?
No C of C or material certifications ship with parts by default. If your PO needs them, say so before the quote. Inspection reports on critical dimensions aren’t included by default. If you need one, ask when you place the order. If a part doesn’t match the print, it’s remade or credited.
09 How do I pay, and do you take purchase orders?
Card by secure link (a processing fee applies), ACH, wire or check. POs welcome against the quote. Include yours when you approve it.
10 I don’t have a CAD file. Can you still help?
Yes. A fully dimensioned 2D PDF is quoted without a CAD line. From a sketch, a new sample part or photos, the 3D model is built from what you send and quoted as its own line. The sample ships back with the parts. Reverse engineering covers remaking a part from a new sample part, and CAD design covers the model.
11 Do you handle prototypes, or only production runs?
Both. A single prototype, a short bridge run or a production order is quoted the same way, from your print or CAD file. The free design review with every quote is a review of your own design: what will cost more and what may not work. Prototype CNC machining has the detail.
12 Where are you located, and where do you ship?
MI CNC Parts is Michigan-based and ships anywhere in the US. Shipping is quoted as its own line, or ships on your carrier account. Multi-part jobs can ship together or in stages; say which on the quote. Send your files from anywhere. The process is the same, and the contact page has the phone number and email.
13 Is there any work you don’t take on?
We take on commercial custom parts work to your print or CAD file. Not quoted: stampings, castings, forgings and springs; machined replacements for parts that were originally cast (a new billet part to your own design is quoted, and parts machined from cast bronze bar or cast tooling plate are normal work); extrusion and tube fabrication; laser-cut tube (laser cutting is flat sheet and plate only); firearms, defense (DoD) work, and ITAR or EAR-controlled work; and stock material sales. We are not a distributor, so plate, bar and sheet are not sold as stock material. Anodizing-only, passivation-only and powder-coat-only jobs on a part you already have are not quoted either. Capabilities lists what is quoted.
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We’ll take it from there.
A quote in 24-48 hours, no minimums. Like the quote, and we’ll make your parts and ship them to you.
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