CNC turning

Overview

Turning and milling in one setup

A multi-axis mill-turn machine spins the part for turning and also drives live tooling for milling, drilling and cross features, all in a single setup. That combination lowers setup and cycle time, cuts scrap and keeps concentric features true because the part never leaves the chuck.

The result is a more accurate, more repeatable turned part at a lower cost per piece. Star Precision programs directly from your CAD data, holds close tolerances in a wide range of materials and confirms critical dimensions with automated CMM inspection before parts ship or move into assembly. On the Tortilla Masters production machine, our multi-axis lathes with bar feeders turned the knobs and rollers, in both plastic and metal, for a machine proven to run around the clock. See the Corn Tortilla Machine project →

Our turning floor runs more than a dozen CNC lathes, from large-capacity machines that swing 18 in diameter parts down to compact lathes with bar feeders for smaller, higher-volume work, so your part runs on the machine sized for it.

Why multi-axis turning saves you money

Bring us a turned part and we will tell you exactly how we would run it. Combining operations on one machine is where the time and cost savings come from.

• Lower setup timeTurning and milling in one setup means the part is handled once.
• Lower cycle timeCombined operations finish the part faster, part after part.
• Less scrapFewer setups and less handling reduce errors and wasted stock.
• Close toleranceConcentric features stay true and are verified by CMM inspection.

Materials we turn

We turn a wide range of materials for small to medium parts, from workhorse steel to free-machining brass, 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, shafts and general structural turned parts.
• Stainless steelResists rust and stands up to harsh, wet and sterile conditions, right for medical, food-grade and outdoor hardware.
• AluminumLightweight yet rigid, turns fast to a clean finish and sheds heat well, ideal for aerospace and electronics parts.
• Copper & brassConduct electricity well and machine cleanly to a fine finish, well suited to connectors and precision fittings.
• Other metals on requestWorking with a different alloy? Tell us what you need and we will confirm we can turn it.

CNC turning specifications

Real, in-house turning capacity across more than a dozen CNC lathes with live tooling. Bring us a challenging part and we will tell you exactly how, and on which machine, we would run it.

Our CNC turning 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 mill-turn programs straight from your data, cutting programming errors and setup time before the first cut.
3. Turning & live toolingThe part runs on one of our dozen-plus CNC lathes, turned and milled with live tooling in one setup, adding cross holes, flats and features without re-fixturing.
4. CMM inspectionAutomated CMM inspection verifies diameters and critical features in-process, so every part meets tolerance before it moves on.
5. Finish & deburrParts are deburred, tapped and prepared for any secondary finishing, plating or coating you require.
6. Assemble or shipTurned parts move straight into milling, EDM or assembly under one roof, or are packaged and shipped direct to you.

Finishing & secondary operations

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

• Milling & Wire EDMTurned parts that need flats, cross features or fine detail move straight to our milling and EDM floor.
• Coating & finishingWe coordinate powder coat, plating and anodizing so parts arrive fully finished.
• Welding & fabricationTurned 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 turn parts for

Star Precision turns 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 turn shafts, bushings and precision round parts for aerospace and space hardware.
• Defense & militaryWe turn ruggedized, tightly controlled components to demanding defense specifications.
• Medical & scientificWe turn precise, repeatable round parts for laboratory instruments and medical devices.
• Oil, gas & energyWe turn durable, corrosion-resistant fittings and components for energy equipment.
• Industrial & OEMWe supply turned shafts, bushings and fittings 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 print or a sampleA STEP, IGES, DXF/DWG or PDF file works, or send the part you need matched and we will program from it.
• Fast, honest quotesWe confirm bar stock, chucking and any live-tooled features fit our lathes, then quote fast.
• One point of contactOne team owns your job from turning through finishing and assembly, all under one roof.
• NDAs on requestWe sign NDAs on request, so your part prints stay fully confidential.
• On-time deliveryWith more than a dozen lathes to schedule against, delivery stays dependable, from our Texas shop, not an overseas queue.

CNC Turning FAQs

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

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