5-axis CNC milling

Overview

Complex parts a 3-axis machine cannot cut

A 5-axis milling center moves the tool or part along five axes at once, so it can reach undercuts, contoured surfaces and complex geometry that a standard 3-axis machine simply cannot. That means fewer setups, better surface finish and accuracy that carries through the whole part.

Fewer setups also means fewer chances for error. Star Precision generates CNC programs directly from your CAD data using industry-best software, then holds tight, repeatable tolerances in a wide range of materials. From a proof-of-concept prototype to a full production run, the same team and the same quality system stay with your part.

Our milling floor runs a dozen machining centers side by side, from twin 5-axis Haas UMC750SS mills down to tool-room and mini mills for smaller work, so a part moves to whichever machine fits its size and geometry instead of waiting in a queue for one do-everything center.

What 5-axis milling unlocks

Bring us a challenging part and we will tell you exactly how we would mill it. Five axes of movement open up geometry and finishes that other shops have to farm out or redesign.

• Complex curves and surfacesContoured, sculpted geometry that is impossible on a 3-axis machine.
• Fewer setupsReaching multiple faces in one setup improves accuracy and finish.
• Tight tolerancesClose, repeatable tolerances held across a wide range of materials.
• Prototype to productionOne machine and one team from first article to full volume.

Materials we mill

We mill a wide range of materials for small to medium parts, from workhorse steel to aerospace-grade aluminum, and will help you choose the most cost-effective option during quoting and DFM 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, our workhorse metal for brackets and structural parts.
• Stainless steelResists rust and stands up to harsh, wet and sterile conditions, right for medical and food-grade hardware.
• AluminumLightweight yet rigid, mills fast to a clean finish, ideal for aerospace and electronics parts.
• Copper & brassConduct electricity well and machine cleanly to a fine finish, well suited to connectors and fittings.
• Other metals on requestWorking with a different alloy? Tell us what you need and we will confirm we can mill it.

CNC milling specifications

Real, in-house milling capacity across a dozen machining centers, including twin 5-axis Haas UMC750SS mills. Bring us a challenging part and we will tell you exactly how, and on which machine, we would run it.

Our CNC milling 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 a drawing or CAD model. We review it for manufacturability, flag any changes that would lower cost or improve tolerance, and quote fast.
2. CAM programmingIndustry-best CAD and CAM generate 5-axis tool paths straight from your data, cutting programming errors and setup time before a single chip is cut.
3. 5-axis millingThe part runs on one of our twin 5-axis Haas UMC750SS mills or another machine sized to fit, reaching complex surfaces, undercuts and tight-tolerance features in a single setup.
4. CMM inspectionAutomated CMM inspection verifies critical dimensions in-process, so every feature meets tolerance before the part moves on.
5. Finish & deburrParts are deburred, tapped and prepared for any secondary finishing, plating or coating you require.
6. Assemble or shipMilled parts move straight into turning, EDM or assembly under one roof, or are packaged and shipped direct to you.

Finishing & secondary operations

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

• Turning & Wire EDMMilled parts that need round features or fine detail move straight to our turning and EDM floor.
• Coating & finishingWe coordinate powder coat, plating and anodizing so parts arrive fully finished.
• Welding & fabricationMilled parts are joined to sheet-metal and welded structures in our own shop.
• Assembly & box buildFinished components are built into electro-mechanical sub-assemblies, all under one roof.

Industries we mill for

Star Precision mills 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 mill brackets, chassis and complex flight-ready hardware for aerospace and space customers.
• Defense & militaryWe mill ruggedized, tightly controlled components to demanding defense specifications.
• Medical & scientificWe mill precise, repeatable parts for laboratory instruments and medical devices.
• Oil, gas & energyWe mill durable, corrosion-resistant parts for power and energy equipment.
• Industrial & OEMWe supply milled frames and sub-assemblies 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 3D model or a printA STEP, IGES, DXF/DWG or PDF file works, or send a physical part and we will program directly from it.
• Fast, honest quotesWe flag geometry that would need extra setups or fixturing, and quote fast once the approach is clear.
• One point of contactOne team owns your job from milling through finishing and assembly, all under one roof.
• NDAs on requestWe sign NDAs on request, so your part geometry stays fully confidential.
• On-time deliveryWith a dozen mills to schedule against, delivery stays dependable, from our Texas shop, not an overseas queue.

CNC Milling FAQs

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

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