What Makes CNC Small Part Machining Different

I tell clients all the time — small parts are not just big parts scaled down. They come with their own set of headaches. At AOOM Technology, we've been running small part jobs for over a decade, and we know exactly where things go wrong.

The Real Challenge With Tiny Parts

Heat builds up fast when you're cutting small features. The tool-to-part ratio is completely different. A .5mm end mill heats up in seconds if your feeds are wrong. We see this in our shop every week — engineers send us designs that look great on screen but require impossible tool access.

Fixturing is another beast. You can't just clamp a 10mm part the same way you clamp a 200mm block. We use custom vacuum fixtures and specialized soft jaws for every micro-component run. It adds setup time, but it's the only way to hold ±.005mm.

Our Process From CAD to Shipment

First, we run a DFM check on every incoming file. We look for thin walls, deep cavities, and sharp internal corners. If something won't work, we tell you before we cut metal — not after.

Next comes toolpath strategy. For small parts, we use trochoidal milling to spread thermal load. High-speed machining at 40,000+ RPM with small stepovers keeps the tool cool and the surface finish tight.

Inspection happens on every part — not every batch. Our CMM and optical comparators catch deviations before they become scrap.

Materials We Machine for Small Parts

We run aluminum 6061 and 7075 daily for small enclosures and brackets. For medical work, it's titanium grade 5 and stainless 316L. Engineering plastics like PEEK and Ultem show up often too. Each material demands different speeds, feeds, and coolant strategies.

A client recently sent us a titanium bracket that weighed 8 grams. They were getting 60% scrap rates from their previous supplier. We dialed in the feeds and dropped scrap below 3% on the first run.

Why Real Experience Matters

Anyone can buy a 5-axis machine. Running it profitably on micro-parts takes years of trial and error. Our machinists average 12 years on the floor. When they say a feature needs redesigning, listen.

Send your CAD files to chen@aoomtech.com for a quote within 24 hours.