Jul. 07, 2025
As part of Protolabs’ global services, we are your comprehensive manufacturing solution from prototype to production. Here’s how we differ from traditional machine shops:
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We have an incredibly broad range of capabilities–much more than most individual shops.
In most cases our quotes are instant. Request as many quotes as you like to find the best solution for your project.
There is no minimum order quantity.
We can scale with you from quick-turn prototypes with 1-day lead times to millions of production parts with volume pricing.
We leverage a global network to guarantee competitive pricing on every order.
We machine custom parts for customers in multiple industries: aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, hardware startups, industrial automation, machinery, manufacturing, medical devices, oil & gas and robotics.
At Protolabs Network we offer CNC milling (3-axis, 3+2-axis and 5-axis) and turning. Milled parts can be machined up to x x 200 mm (78.7 x 59.0 x 7.8 in.) for 3/3+2 axis CNC milling. For 5-axis milling, the maximum part size is 650 x 650 x 300 mm (25.5 x 25.5 x 11.8 in.). The maximum diameter for CNC turning is 431mm (17 in.), length 990 mm (39 in). Minimum part dimensions recommended are around 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 in. (10 x 10 x 10mm).The minimum for feature dimensions is 0.5 mm.
We are limited to a mm (39 in.) maximum size for parts on our platform. If you need higher dimensions, you can place the request through your account manager.
Deburring and edge breaking are standard procedures for all CNC machined parts. If there are any critical edges that should be left sharp, they must be clearly indicated in technical drawings. Surfaces will be free of defects such as scratches, dents, stains, blemishes, hanging marks, minor defects. Surfaces indicated as critical (primary (a) side, as indicated on the technical drawing) will be free of mill steps and other marks. For the secondary (b) side, minor hanging marks and up to 2 minor defects are acceptable. A number of post-processing and finishing methods can be applied to improve the surface roughness, visual properties and wear resistance of machined parts.
Read more about surface finishes for CNC machining.
We use machine learning algorithms to calculate the exact cost of any machinable part directly from a CAD file, based on millions of CNC machining orders we’ve previously processed. No more waiting for technicians to get back to you via , we can generate an exact quote for you instantly (well, in about 5 seconds).
This means you always know the price up front. Simply upload a CAD file to generate a quote: get an instant CNC machining quote. Our quotes are completely free, you only need to create an account so we can protect your IP.
It’s so easy to use that we encourage mechanical engineers to use it constantly as they optimize their designs for cost. Whenever you’ve made a new design iteration, simply load both the old and the new design into our quoting tool and see if the price is different.
This technology means our manufacturing partners also don’t need to do their own machining quotes, which means less overhead for them. This makes the whole process less expensive, which translates into lower prices for our customers.
Protolabs Network was started by mechanical engineers and we have many more engineers and technicians in our team. Together we’ve written a lot of content on CNC machining over the years. You can find a selection of resources below, or you can head to our knowledge hub and filter on CNC machining to read case studies, in-depth design guidelines and explanations of different surface finishes.
We’ve also written a complete engineering guide to CNC machining. Here you can learn about how the many different kinds of mills and lathes work and the different materials available, so you can easily compare their benefits & limitations. You’ll also learn the basic design rules for machining and the most common applications of each material and surface finish, so you can make the right choices every time.
Learn about how the many different kinds of CNC machines work, the materials available, the benefits & limitations, basic design rules and the most common applications.
Read articleWhat is CNC machining and how does it work? Learn the basic principles and fundamental mechanics, as well as the key benefits and limitations, of this subtractive manufacturing process.
Want more information on High Precision Components? Feel free to contact us.
Read articleIn this complete guide to designing for CNC machining, we've compiled basic & advanced design practices and tips to help you achieve the best results for your custom parts.
Read articleMake the most of CNC machining by optimizing your design and making the right material choices. Read these 14 design tips to help you reduce CNC-machining costs and create the perfect parts for your project.
Read articleHow do you prepare technical drawings for CNC machining and why are they important? Technical drawings are widely used in manufacturing to improve the communication of technical requirements between the designer and engineer and the manufacturer.
Read articleThis comprehensive guide compares the 25 most common materials used in CNC machining and helps you choose the right one for your application.
Read articleWhat surface finishes are available for CNC machining? You can apply post-processing and surface finishes to improve the surface roughness, cosmetic properties and wear resistance of metal parts. Learn about the most common ways to finish CNC machined parts, and how to select the best methods for your applications.
Read articleWhat are the different types of heat treatment and how do they affect CNC-machined parts? This article explores how heat treatments can be applied to many metal alloys to drastically improve key physical properties like hardness, strength and machinability.
Read articleWhen it comes to custom part production, choosing between 3D printing and CNC machining can be challenging. This guide breaks down the key differences between these popular manufacturing technologies, helping you decide which is best suited for prototyping, low-volume production, or functional end-use parts.
Read articleAerospace components are an integral part of successful aerospace missions and initiatives. Precision machining of mission-critical components is highly necessary for safe operations, making it essential to partner with a trusted, proven machine shop for aerospace machined parts.
Miller CNC has extensive experience manufacturing mission-critical aircraft components for OEMs, MROs, and Tier 1 companies in the aerospace industry. We utilize cutting-edge CNC milling equipment and a wide range of advanced software technology to create custom components for your specific requirements.
Contact Miller CNC to learn more about our innovative aerospace CNC machining processes and how we can best meet your needs.
Safety is one of the most essential factors in the aerospace industry. With even the slightest error capable of creating devastation, every component of every aircraft system must be manufactured to the highest standard. CNC machining offers an exceptional solution for precision manufacturing, removing the risk of human error and ensuring production consistency. These processes can repeatedly create aerospace-machined parts of the highest quality and care to ensure proper composition.
As an AS and ISO:-certified industrial machine shop, Miller CNC is authorized to manufacture aerospace machined parts according to strict standards. Our precision CNC machining services and CNC turning capabilities include full-service manufacturing operations and machining parts made from bar, plate, forging, casting, and additional components. Our in-house milling equipment allows us to fabricate virtually any component up to 40 in. in length with extreme precision and accuracy.
Our 3-axis CNC mills and 5-axis machines allow us to create high-performance aerospace parts with tight tolerances and critical surface finishes. We have proven experience manufacturing specific aircraft components for aerospace OEMs and MROs, including fuel valve weldments, turbine engine parts, stainless complex aircraft fuel valves, fuel system housings, and more. Additionally, we can use our precision CNC machining capabilities to manufacture components for spacecraft, missiles, and UAVs or drones.
Our innovative software allows us to manufacture all aerospace machined parts in one setup without physical handling. This advanced technology allows for more accuracy than any other milling machine can provide and is critical for machining precision aerospace components. We use various software for our machining operations, including:
We have extensive experience working with hard metals and alloys to meet application demands. Our skilled machinists can form complex parts and performance-built components from a variety of difficult-to-machine specialty hard metals. At Miller CNC, we can perform CNC machining using the following materials:
While we often recommend stainless steel and superalloys like Inconel for aerospace applications, additional metal alloys can also be used. Talk to an expert at Miller CNC to learn more about hard metal components for aerospace applications.
At Miller CNC, we have extensive experience supplying parts directly to Primes and Tier 1 aerospace companies. As an industry-leading CNC machine shop, we are dedicated to supporting our clients and their missions across numerous industries. We demonstrate this commitment through our high-performance and reliable machining services, creating precision CNC-machined components for virtually all applications. Our fully automated CNC machining capabilities allow us to optimize cycle time while performing all required machining processes in a single fixture, saving valuable production time and reducing labor and setup costs.
Our sourced hardware meets MIL-Spec, AMS-Spec, and AN-Spec regulatory requirements. We can procure the necessary materials for your component, manufacture it to your exact requirements, and assemble it as required. We pride ourselves on creating difficult and complex parts within time-critical schedules. Ensure you receive the high-performance components you want with the mission-critical configurations you need at Miller CNC.
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