CNC machining

Overview

CNC machining services we offer

Machining at Star Precision is not a single machine. It is a full cell of milling, turning, EDM and inspection working together. Each service below is available on its own or as one step in a complete build.

CNC milling (3, 4 & 5-axis)

Our milling centers cut flat, prismatic and contoured parts from metal blocks and plate. 5-axis milling reaches complex curves, angled faces and undercuts in a single setup that a 3-axis machine cannot, which means fewer fixtures, tighter tolerances and a better surface finish on complex geometry. See CNC milling →

CNC turning & mill-turn

Multi-axis mill-turn lathes rotate the part and cut turning and milling features in one operation. Combining both on one machine lowers setup and cycle time, reduces scrap and keeps close-tolerance round parts (shafts, bushings, fittings, housings) concentric and repeatable. See CNC turning →

Wire EDM

Wire electrical discharge machining uses a charged wire to cut intricate profiles, sharp internal corners and hardened materials that are difficult or impossible to mill. Because there is no cutting force, Wire EDM holds fine detail on thin or delicate features with minimal waste. See Wire EDM →

Prototype & low-volume machining

Need to prove a design before you commit to tooling? We machine single first articles and low-volume runs from the same CAD data we will later use for production, so the prototype you approve is the part you scale. See prototype machining →

High-volume production machining

For repeat and high-volume orders we add automation and proven, documented programs so every lot matches the last. The same CMM inspection and ISO 9001 controls apply whether we run ten parts or ten thousand.

Materials we machine

We machine a wide assortment of metals and plastics for small to medium parts, and we will help you choose the most cost-effective material for the job during quoting and DFM (design-for-manufacturing) review. Not sure what fits? Tell us the load, environment and finish the part needs to handle and we will recommend one.

• Mild & carbon steelStrong, weldable and economical, mild and carbon steels are our workhorse metals for brackets, frames, base plates and general structural parts where raw strength matters more than corrosion resistance.
• Stainless steelStainless steel resists rust and stands up to harsh, wet and sterile conditions, which makes it the right choice for medical, food-grade, marine and outdoor hardware that has to stay clean and last for years.
• AluminumLightweight yet rigid, aluminum machines fast to a clean finish and sheds heat well, so it is ideal for aerospace components, electronics enclosures and other heat-sensitive assemblies.
• Copper & brassCopper and brass conduct electricity well and machine cleanly to a fine finish, making them well suited to connectors, bus bars, terminals and precision fittings.
• PlasticsWe also machine engineering plastics for lightweight, non-conductive or low-friction parts. Tell us the grade you need and we will confirm we can run it.
• Other metals on requestWorking with a different alloy? Tell us what you need and we will confirm we can machine it and help you choose the most cost-effective option for your part.

Tolerances, inspection & quality

Precision only counts if it is verified. Every critical dimension is checked on our Hexagon Global S Chrome CMM, accurate to 0.00007 in, backed up by portable Faro measuring arms for larger or harder-to-fixture parts. First-article inspection confirms a new part matches the print before we run the lot. Our ISO 9001 quality system is certified, and we can supply inspection reports and material certifications with your order.

Our CNC machining process

Every job follows the same controlled path, from first quote to final inspection, so parts come off the machine accurate, repeatable and ready for the next step whether you order one part or ten thousand.

1. Quote & DFM reviewSend us a drawing or CAD model and we review it for manufacturability, flag any changes that could lower your cost, and send back a fast, honest quote.
2. CAD to CNC programOur team turns your approved data into precise tool paths using industry-best CAM software, which cuts programming errors and setup time before a single chip is cut.
3. Milling, turning & EDMWe cut your part to print on the right machine for the job, whether that is 5-axis milling, multi-axis mill-turn or Wire EDM, in the material you specify.
4. CMM inspectionFirst-article and in-process checks on our coordinate measuring machine (CMM) confirm every critical dimension before the part moves on.
5. Finishing & secondary opsWe handle deburring, tapping, welding, coating and other secondary operations in-house, so the part that leaves us is truly finished, not just cut.
6. Assemble or shipFinished parts move straight into full assembly, or are carefully packaged and shipped direct to you, always on schedule.

From prototype to full production

Because we machine prototypes and production on the same equipment and programs, you are not starting over when it is time to scale. Prove the design with a first article, validate the process with a low-volume bridge run, then move into automated high-volume machining knowing that lot ten looks exactly like lot one.

Finishing & secondary operations

A machined part is rarely the finished product. As a one-stop Texas shop we handle the steps that usually mean another vendor and another shipment:

• Deburring & tappingWe remove sharp edges and burrs and add threaded holes and inserts, so every part comes off the line clean, safe to handle and ready to assemble.
• Welding & fabricationMachined parts are joined to sheet-metal and welded structures in our own shop, so your assembly never has to ship out to another vendor and back.
• Coating & finishingWe coordinate powder coat, plating, anodizing and other protective or decorative finishes, so your parts arrive fully finished and ready to use.
• Assembly & box buildFinished components are built into electro-mechanical sub-assemblies and complete product builds, all under one roof.

Industries we machine for

Star Precision machines close-tolerance parts for demanding Texas and national manufacturers, including the regulated and heavy-industrial sectors below, where certified quality and material traceability matter as much as the part itself:

• Aerospace & spaceWe machine brackets, chassis and complex flight-ready hardware for aerospace and space customers across the NASA and JSC region.
• Defense & militaryWe produce ruggedized, tightly controlled machined components built to demanding defense and military specifications.
• Medical & scientificWe deliver precise, repeatable parts for laboratory instruments, diagnostic equipment and medical devices.
• Oil, gas & energyWe machine durable, corrosion-resistant parts for power generation and oil, gas and energy equipment.
• Electronics, data & telecomWe make machined housings, brackets and hardware for electronic enclosures, data systems and telecom box builds.
• Industrial & OEMWe supply machine frames, sub-assemblies and production components for industrial and OEM manufacturers.

What to expect when you work with us

Working with a machine shop should be straightforward. From the first file you send to the finished parts arriving on your dock, here is what you can count on from our team.

• Send a model or a printA STEP, IGES, DXF/DWG or PDF file works, or send a physical sample and we will measure and quote from it.
• Honest DFM feedbackWe flag features, tolerances and setups that drive up cost, and suggest changes before you commit to a run.
• One point of contactOne team owns your job from machining through finishing and assembly, all under one roof.
• NDAs on requestWe sign NDAs on request, so your CAD models and drawings stay fully confidential.
• On-time deliveryA dozen machines running in parallel keep lead times dependable, from our Texas shop, not an overseas queue.

CNC machining FAQs

Quick answers about our machining services. Company-wide questions are covered in the FAQs at the bottom of the page.

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