PROCESS PARAMETER LIBRARY
Choose the right route
for your metal part.
Six in-house services, supported by a network for specialist processes. Compare 25 service and process references below.
These tables provide process-planning references, not measured limits for a specific machine or factory. Dimensions are in millimeters unless stated otherwise. We confirm the usable size, tolerance, material and inspection requirements together in your quotation.
Manufacturing starts at 100 pieces per part number. See delivery and payment arrangements.
25 processes
CORE PRODUCTION
In-house services
Our six core services. The reference tables help prepare your drawing; the quotation confirms the actual setup and agreed dimensions.
In-house service · Machining
CNC Machining
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| General metal tolerances | ISO 2768-m | For dimensions without a specified individual tolerance. |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm | Feasibility limit; milling design guidance recommends 0.8 mm for metal walls. |
| Minimum end mill | 0.5 mm | Tool diameter; not a tolerance. |
| Minimum drill | 1 mm | General CNC route; smaller turned holes use a separate setup. |
In-house service · Machining
CNC Milling
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 3-axis / 4-axis envelope | 1000 × 500 × 500 mm | Workholding and tool reach must fit inside the setup. |
| 5-axis envelope | 4000 × 1500 × 600 mm | Setup-dependent; distinguish from the large-part route. Partner-coordinated five-axis route. |
| Minimum part | 5 × 5 × 5 mm | — |
| 3-axis / 4-axis general tolerance | ±0.1 mm | — |
| 5-axis general tolerance | ±0.05 mm | Critical features require an individual drawing callout. Partner-coordinated five-axis route. |
| Recommended metal wall | ≥0.8 mm | Design recommendation, not the absolute minimum for every geometry. |
| Internal corner radius | ≥ pocket depth ÷ 3 | Design recommendation. |
| Hole diameter / preferred depth | Ø ≥1 mm; depth ≤4 × diameter | Deep holes need a separate tool-access review. |
| Pocket depth | ≤4 × pocket width | Preferred design ratio. |
| Thread depth, Ø1.5–5 mm | 3 × diameter | Specify the thread standard and required engagement. |
| Thread depth, Ø>5 mm | 4–6 × diameter | The 5 mm boundary is reviewed with the drawing. |
| Engraved text | Width ≥0.5 mm; depth 0.1 mm | Width and depth are separate dimensions. |
In-house service · Machining
CNC Turning
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Typical maximum part | Ø500 × 1500 mm | Material and machine setup determine the usable envelope. |
| Minimum diameter | Ø1 mm | Depends on geometry, material and support. |
| Standard dimensional tolerance | ±0.01 mm | — |
| Tight dimensional tolerance | ±0.005 mm | Selected features after drawing review. |
| Recommended internal radius | ≥0.5 mm | — |
| Thread size / engagement | M1.6+; ≥1.5 × diameter | Confirm strength and assembly requirements. |
| Recommended metal wall | ≥0.8 mm | — |
| Hole diameter / depth | Ø ≥0.5 mm; depth ≤10 × diameter | Deep-hole setup depends on material and length. |
| Engraved text | Height ≥2 mm; depth ≥0.5 mm | — |
In-house service · Sheet metal
Sheet Metal Fabrication
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| General tolerance references | ISO 2768-c / ISO 2768-m | Select the applicable class on the drawing; they are not interchangeable. |
| Cut feature tolerance | ±0.2 mm | — |
| Bend angle tolerance | ±1° | — |
| Bend-to-edge tolerance | ±0.254 mm | — |
| Bend-to-hole tolerance | ±0.2 mm | General sheet-metal route; bending-specific values differ. |
In-house service · Sheet metal
Laser Cutting
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum panel | 1500 × 3000 mm | — |
| Dimensional tolerance | ±0.2 mm | Length, width, diameter and location; general reference ISO 2768-c. |
| Carbon steel thickness | <25 mm | — |
| Stainless steel thickness | <15 mm | — |
| Aluminum thickness | <15 mm | — |
| Copper thickness | <12.7 mm | — |
| Repeatability | ±0.05 mm | Not the same as finished-part dimensional tolerance. |
| Positioning accuracy | ±0.10 mm | Machine positioning, distinct from repeatability. |
| Laser power ceiling | 10 kW | Material and thickness determine the cutting settings. |
In-house service · Prototyping
Metal Prototyping
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Process route | CNC milling, CNC turning or sheet metal | Select the route around fit, function and the intended production material. |
| Dimensions and tolerances | Follow the selected process and approved drawing | Use the corresponding machining or sheet-metal reference; there is no separate universal prototyping tolerance. |
| Approval scope | Fit, function, material and finish | Agree which features the prototype is intended to validate. |
| Manufacturing quantity | 100 pieces per part number | Design-only projects are quoted separately; no sample-quantity exception is implied. |
SPECIALIST NETWORK
Partner-coordinated processes
Specialist routes arranged through partner factories. Availability and achievable combinations are confirmed for each project; these are not our own equipment specifications.
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
5-Axis CNC Machining
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum part | 4000 × 1500 × 600 mm | Confirm multi-side access and workholding. |
| Minimum part | 5 × 5 × 5 mm | — |
| Minimum feature | 0.5 mm | Width or depth, subject to geometry. |
| Unreamed hole diameters | Ø1–40 mm | — |
| Shaft diameters | Ø2–300 mm | Design guidance within a multi-axis setup. |
| Thread sizes | M2–M24 | — |
| Engraved text | Height ≥1.5 mm; depth 0.5 mm | — |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
CNC Routing
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum panel | 3000 × 1500 mm | — |
| Minimum feature | 3 mm | — |
| Recommended thickness | 3–50 mm | Metal grade and tooling must suit routing. |
| General tolerance | ISO 2768-m | — |
| Precision tolerance | ±0.1 mm | Material- and geometry-dependent. |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Swiss CNC Machining
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Bar diameter | Ø1–32 mm | — |
| Maximum length | 300 mm | — |
| Axis configuration | 5–11 axes | Main and sub-spindle routes with live tooling. |
| Spindle speed ceiling | 20,000 rpm | Actual speed follows material and tooling. |
| Typical dimensional tolerance | ±0.01 mm | — |
| Tight dimensional tolerance | ±0.005 mm | Subject to drawing review. |
| Minimum feature | 0.5 mm | — |
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8 μm | Achievable finish for suitable features. |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Large-Part CNC Machining
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Milling envelope | 6000 × 3000 × 2000 mm | — |
| Turning envelope | 2500 × 6000 mm | Confirm diameter, length and support in the setup review. |
| Horizontal boring travel | X4000 / Y3000 / Z2000 / W700 mm | Machine travel is not a guaranteed finished-part envelope. |
| Deep-hole drilling | Depth ≤3000 mm; Ø20–250 mm | — |
| Grinding envelope | 4000 × 1500 × 1000 mm | — |
| Part mass ceiling | 20 t | Size, mass and precision limits require one compatible setup. |
| Standard / critical tolerance | ±0.10 / ±0.02 mm | Critical tolerance applies to agreed features. |
| Flatness / parallelism | 0.05 mm per 1000 mm | — |
| Standard / fine roughness | Ra 3.2 / 0.8 μm | — |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Precision Machining
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| EDM: typical / best | ±0.015 / ±0.005 mm | Electrode wear and feature geometry affect the result. |
| Grinding: typical / best | ±0.005 / ±0.001 mm | Separate from large-part grinding limits. |
| Turning: typical / best | ±0.025 / ±0.010 mm | This precision-route table is distinct from the turning-service setup. |
| Milling: typical / best | ±0.025 / ±0.005 mm | Tool, material and feature-dependent. |
| Precision milling envelope | 1016 × 508 × 635 mm | Machine-specific. |
| Precision turning envelope | Ø508 × 1524 mm | Machine-specific. |
| Bar feeding diameter | ≤76 mm | Turning setup. |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Mirror EDM
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Workpiece envelope | 400 × 300 × 200 mm | — |
| Fine surface roughness | Ra 0.05 μm | Depends on material and process settings. |
| Fine dimensional tolerance | ±0.0013 mm | Selected features; not a general whole-part tolerance. |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Precision Grinding
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Surface grinding envelope | 600 × 250 mm | Length × width. |
| Cylindrical diameter | Ø200 mm | Separate cylindrical grinding setup. |
| Fine dimensional tolerance | ±0.0025 mm | Depends on material and grinding method. |
| Fine surface roughness | Ra 0.1 μm | Selected surfaces. |
Partner-coordinated process · Machining
Wire EDM
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Small-part envelope / tolerance | 50 × 30 × 10 mm; ±0.005 mm | Minimum thickness 0.5 mm. |
| Medium-part envelope / tolerance | 100 × 70 × 40 mm; ±0.01 mm | Minimum thickness 1.0 mm. |
| Large-part envelope / tolerance | 500 × 300 × 150 mm; ±0.03 mm | Minimum thickness 5.0 mm. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Metal Bending
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Panel reference | 1500 × 3000 mm | Check unfolded blank and formed-part geometry. |
| Force ceiling | 1000 t | Force, length and thickness are separate limits, not simultaneous guarantees. |
| Thickness ceiling | 60 mm | Requires material, bend length and die-opening review. |
| Bend-to-edge / hole | ±0.254 mm | Single-surface reference. |
| Bend angle tolerance | ±1° | — |
| Initial inside radius | 1 × material thickness | Design starting point; grade and temper can require a larger radius. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Tube Laser Cutting
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Round tube | Ø10–240 mm | — |
| Square tube | 10 × 10 to 200 × 200 mm | — |
| Rectangular tube | 20 × 10 to 200 × 150 mm | — |
| Maximum length | 6000 mm | — |
| Wall thickness | 0.5–12 mm | — |
| Dimensional tolerance | ±0.1 mm | Depends on tube geometry and material. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Waterjet Cutting
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensional tolerance | ±0.1 mm | Depends on thickness and cut quality. |
| Maximum thickness | 150 mm | — |
| Minimum feature | ≥1.0 mm | Thicker stock can need larger features. |
| Kerf width | 0.8–1.2 mm | Approximate process range. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Welding
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication tolerance | ±0.2–0.5 mm | — |
| Critical dimension after machining | ±0.05 mm | Requires post-weld machining, not as-welded accuracy. |
| Maximum single-part size | 3000 × 1500 × 1500 mm | — |
| Material thickness | 0.5–20 mm | — |
| Angular tolerance | ±0.5° | — |
| Joining routes | MIG / TIG / spot / arc | Specify material, joint and acceptance requirements. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Metal Enclosures
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Machined enclosure tolerance | ±0.05 mm | — |
| Cut sheet tolerance | ±0.10 mm | Enclosure-specific route. |
| Bend angle tolerance | ±1° | — |
| Hole location | ±0.10 mm | — |
Partner-coordinated process · Forming & casting
Metal Stamping
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Press bed | 2800 × 1100 mm | — |
| Press force ceiling | 400 t | — |
| Material thickness | 0.2–6.0 mm | — |
| Tight dimensional tolerance | ±0.025 mm | Selected features and tooling; not every dimension. |
| Forming routes | Progressive stamping / deep drawing / precision stamping | Tool design, manufacture and trials are defined with the part. |
Partner-coordinated process · Sheet metal
Chemical Etching
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness range | 0.0008–0.100 in | 0.02032–2.54 mm; alloy and geometry dependent. |
| Tolerance at 0.001 in thickness | ±0.0008 in | Empirical design reference. |
| Tolerance at 0.002 in thickness | ±0.0016 in | — |
| Tolerance at 0.005 in thickness | ±0.0025 in | — |
| Tolerance at 0.010 in thickness | ±0.0033 in | — |
| Tolerance at 0.015 in thickness | ±0.0042 in | — |
| Tolerance at 0.020 in thickness | ±0.0050 in | — |
| Thin-sheet slot / hole floor | 0.003 / 0.005 in | For 0.001–0.005 in stock; also at least the sheet thickness. |
| Hole / slot in thicker stock | ≥1.1 × thickness | At and above 0.005 in; confirm boundary features. |
| Web, stock below 0.005 in | ≥ thickness; ≥0.003 in | — |
| Web, stock above 0.005 in | ≥1.0 × thickness | At exactly 0.005 in, review the web with the drawing. |
| Center spacing ≤1.01 in | ±0.001 in | — |
| Center spacing >1.01–3.0 in | ±0.003 in | — |
| Center spacing >3.0–6.0 in | ±0.005 in | — |
| Center spacing >6.0–10.0 in | ±0.007 in | — |
| Partial etch depth | 25–75% of sheet thickness | Typical range. |
Partner-coordinated process · Forming & casting
Die Casting
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance after secondary machining | ±0.01 mm | Not an as-cast dimensional tolerance. |
| Recommended aluminum wall | 1.5 mm | — |
| Minimum zinc wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Wall thickness ratio | Max : min ≤3:1 | Keep sections uniform where possible. |
| Small aluminum holes | Ø<3 mm: secondary drilling | Threads also require secondary machining. |
| Minimum draft | 0.5° | Geometry and surface texture can require more. |
| Maximum zinc die life | 1,000,000 cycles | Upper reference, not a guaranteed tool-life warranty. |
| Maximum aluminum / magnesium die life | 100,000 cycles | Depends on alloy, tool and maintenance. |
Partner-coordinated process · Forming & casting
Sand Casting
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| As-cast tolerance grade | CT10–CT13 | Dimension-dependent; a CT grade is not one fixed ± value. |
| Minimum wall | 5 mm | — |
| As-cast roughness | Ra 12.8–50 μm | — |
| Maximum part size | 2000 × 1500 × 300 mm | — |
| Iron / steel / copper alloy mass | 300 kg | — |
| Aluminum mass ceiling | 900 kg | Confirm a compatible envelope and casting setup. |
| Molding routes | Shell molds; 3D-printed sand molds and cores | — |
Partner-coordinated process · Forming & casting
Aluminum Extrusion
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Standard dimensions | ±0.15 mm | Define the section, length and inspection method. |
| Critical dimensions | ±0.1 mm | Selected dimensions on the agreed profile drawing. |
| Recommended wall | 1.0–2.5 mm | Design guidance; loading, alloy and section affect the choice. |
| Structural wall starting point | ≥2.0 mm | Requires a load and geometry review. |
| Profile alloys | 6061 / 6063 / 1100 | Specify temper and downstream operations. |
Partner-coordinated process · Additive
Metal 3D Printing (SLM)
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Layer height | 30–50 μm | — |
| Build envelope | 320 × 320 × 400 mm | Support structures and orientation reduce usable part space. |
| Tolerance, dimensions ≤100 mm | ±0.2 mm | — |
| Tolerance, dimensions >100 mm | ±0.25% of dimension | Evaluate each dimension; not ±0.25 mm. |
| Surface roughness | Ra 3.2–6.3 μm | Agree the surface condition and any polishing or grinding. |
No matching process. Try another term or send your drawing.