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CNC machining
CNC milling, turning, and routing for prototypes, replacement parts, and production runs, in metals and engineering plastics.
We machine custom parts in aluminum, steel, brass, and engineering plastics in Spanish Fork, Utah, and ship anywhere in the US. Upload a STEP or STL file for an instant quote, or send a drawing or sketch.
Milling, turning, and routing
| CNC milling | Vertical machining for plates, brackets, housings, pockets, holes, threads, and 3D surfaces. |
|---|---|
| CNC turning | CNC lathes for shafts, bushings, spacers, pins, and threaded parts. |
| CNC routing | Cutting and pocketing large sheets of wood, MDF, plywood, and plastic. |
See what we make for more examples.
Materials
- Aluminum (6061, 7075): light, strong, and quick to machine, so it's often the most economical metal.
- Steel (1018) and stainless steel (304): for strength, wear, or corrosion resistance.
- Brass: machines beautifully; good for fittings and decorative parts.
- Plastics: Delrin (acetal), HDPE, Nylon, polycarbonate, and acrylic, for low-friction, insulating, or lightweight parts.
Tolerances and finishes
Tell us which dimensions matter; we'll hold tight tolerances where they're needed and standard tolerances elsewhere, which keeps the price down. Standard machining tolerance is ±0.005 in. unless your drawing says otherwise. Parts come deburred with an as-machined finish; bead blasting and anodizing are available on request.
Design tips for machined parts
- Inside corners of pockets are rounded by the cutter. A corner radius slightly larger than you need (for example, 1/8 in.) lets us use a sturdier tool and costs less.
- Deep, narrow pockets are slow to cut. Keep pocket depth under about four times the width when you can.
- Use standard hole and thread sizes, and only call out tight tolerances where parts fit together.
- Thin walls can chatter and bend. In aluminum, walls of at least about 0.04 in. are easier to machine.
What drives the price
Setup and programming are a fixed cost per job, so price per part drops quickly with quantity. After that, it's machine time (how much material comes off, and how fine the finish is) and the material itself. The instant quote shows each of these for your part.
Large parts
We can make parts of any size. Upload your model and we'll quote it.
CNC machining questions
What files do you need for a machined part?
A STEP file is best because it keeps exact geometry. Add a PDF drawing if some dimensions, tolerances, or threads need to be called out. If you only have a sketch or a sample part, we can model it for you. You can open your STEP file in our free CAD file viewer to check it before you send it.
Can I get affordable CNC machined parts in Utah?
Yes. Utah Valley Plastics machines parts in Spanish Fork, and we'll beat any written quote from another US shop for the same part. Choosing aluminum or plastic, relaxing tolerances that don't matter, and ordering a few parts at once all lower the price.
Do you machine single parts, or only production runs?
Both. We machine one-off prototypes and replacement parts as well as production runs. Setup is a fixed cost, so the price per part drops as quantity goes up.
Should my part be milled or turned?
Round parts like shafts, pins, and bushings are usually turned on a lathe, which is faster for those shapes. Flat and boxy parts are milled. Choose "Not sure" on the quote page and we'll recommend one.
Is CNC machining or 3D printing better for my part?
Machining gives stronger parts, tighter tolerances, and real metals. 3D printing is usually cheaper for one-off plastic parts and complex shapes. Many customers prototype with 3D printing and machine the final parts.
Who does CNC machining in Utah County?
Look for a shop with the right machines for your part, clear pricing, and fast communication. Utah Valley Plastics in Spanish Fork does CNC milling, turning, and routing in one shop, gives instant online quotes, and beats written quotes from other US shops.
Upload a STEP or STL file and get a machining price in seconds.
Get an instant quote