Have you ever been in this situation: 😣 You urgently need a batch of cavity parts, but the quantity is not large. After asking several factories, either the quotation is too high, or the delivery time is too long? Some large factories even directly reply: "We don’t accept small orders!" Don’t worry, I totally understand this frustration! Today, let’s talk about the key points of "small-batch custom CNC machining of cavities" to help you save trouble and money～  

 🔍 I. What Makes Small-Batch Machining So Challenging?  

Many people find small-batch orders difficult to handle, mainly due to the following reasons:  

1. Cost cannot be spread out: When mold costs, programming fees, and equipment debugging fees are averaged out, the unit price naturally rises 📈;  

2. Factories find it troublesome: Starting a large production line once incurs high costs, and small orders have low priority, which easily leads to delayed delivery;  

3. Quality is hard to control: Some factories use "makeshift" processes, resulting in substandard precision (such as deformation of thin cavity walls, rough surfaces) 😤.  

But I want to say: Small-batch machining is the real test of capability! A truly professional CNC factory will solve these problems for you through the following methods 👇  

 🛠️ II. How to Reduce Costs and Speed Up Delivery for Small-Batch Cavity Machining?  

✅ 1. Mold-Free + Flexible Production  

- Direct CNC programming and milling eliminate mold opening costs (especially suitable for aluminum alloy and copper alloy cavities);  

- Intelligent scheduling systems enable mixed-line production of small orders, ensuring no delivery delays.  

✅ 2. Material Optimization and Scrap Utilization  

- Recommend 6061 aluminum alloy (easy to machine, low cost) or 7075 aerospace aluminum (for high-strength requirements);  

- Scrap reuse: Process small parts on combined plates to reduce waste, cutting costs by 20% directly!  

✅ 3. Standardized Process Packages  

- For common cavity types (such as communication filter cavities, radar waveguide cavities), provide a fixed process parameter library to reduce trial-and-error time ⏱️;  

- Batch combined orders for surface treatments (silver plating, anodizing) to enjoy the unit price of large orders.  

 📊 III. Small-Batch Machining Price Reference (Taking Aluminum Alloy Cavities as an Example)  

| Cavity Type               | Quantity (pcs) | Regular Unit Price (RMB/pc) | Optimized Unit Price (RMB/pc) |  

|---------------------------|----------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------|  

| Small Communication Cavity| 50             | 380                          | 268                            |  

| Microwave Filter Cavity   | 100            | 620                          | 435                            |  

| Heat Sink Cavity          | 30             | 510                          | 359                            |  

 ⚙️ IV. How to Choose the Right Manufacturer? Remember These 4 Points!  

1. Confirm small-batch support: Check if the official website indicates "small-batch orders accepted" or "free sampling";  

2. Clarify process details: Ask if 5-axis CNC can be used for one-time forming (to reduce clamping errors);  

3. Request quality inspection reports: The manufacturer must provide 3D coordinate inspection diagrams + surface roughness test data;  

4. Check cases: Ask for physical photos of previous small-batch cavity machining, focusing on the sharpness of edges and the smoothness of inner walls ✨.  

 💡 My Insight: Small Orders Are the Future Trend!  

Nowadays, personalized demands are increasing, and small-batch machining has become a blue ocean market instead. A truly capable manufacturer will not refuse small orders—because they can reduce costs through technology and management! So, next time you encounter a factory that refuses your small order, switch to another one without hesitation! Flexible production capacity is the core competitiveness 🔥