OD Turning & Profiling
Outside diameters, tapers, shoulders, grooves, faces and profiles produced around a controlled centerline.
CNC TURNING · ENGINEERING REVIEW · INSPECTION EVIDENCE
Custom CNC Turning Services for Precision Parts
Get high-precision custom CNC turned parts in metal and plastic for prototypes, low-volume builds and repeat production. Mockup combines fast quoting, engineering review, controlled manufacturing and project-specific inspection evidence in one accountable workflow.
- ±0.002 mm — BEST-CASE TOLERANCE
- 1 DAY — FASTEST QUALIFIED LEAD TIME
- 500 × 1,500 mm — MAXIMUM DIAMETER × LENGTH
STEP, STP, X_T, SLDPRT, IGES, PDF and ZIP · Confidential handling
BEST-CASE TOLERANCE±0.002 mmConfirmed against geometry, material, setup and inspection requirements.
±0.002 mmBEST-CASE TOLERANCE
1 DAYFASTEST QUALIFIED LEAD TIME
500 × 1,500 mmMAXIMUM DIAMETER × LENGTH
1–10,000+PROTOTYPE TO PRODUCTION
CNC TURNING PROCESS
What Is CNC Turning?
CNC turning is a subtractive manufacturing process in which bar, tube or billet stock rotates while computer-controlled tools create concentric outside and inside diameters. It is the direct process for shafts, pins, bushings, sleeves, threaded bodies and circular housings, while live tooling can add flats, slots and cross-holes in the same production route.
ROTATING WORKPIECE / CONTROLLED OD & ID MACHINING01 / PROCESS FIT
When CNC turning is the right route
CNC turning is usually the efficient choice when the part is built around a central axis. The workpiece rotates while controlled cutting tools create diameters, shoulders, faces, bores, grooves and threads. For off-axis holes, flats or slots, live tooling or a mill-turn route may reduce setups and protect feature relationships.
01 / MOTION
Shafts & Pins
Controlled diameters, shoulders, grooves and end features around a functional axis.
- TYPICAL PARTS
- Shafts · pins · axles
02 / CAPABILITIES
One turning service, routed around the part
The turning route is selected from geometry, access, tolerance relationships, production volume and total process risk—not from a generic machine list.
ID Turning & Bore Finishing
Drilling, boring, reaming and internal grooving for controlled bores, seats and flow paths.
Threads & Functional Features
Internal and external threads, undercuts, reliefs, knurls and application-specific forms defined by the drawing.
Live-Tool Turning
Flats, cross-holes, slots and bolt patterns added with live tooling or a planned secondary milling operation.
03 / TECHNICAL RANGE
Capability is a review, not a headline number
Part geometry, material, length-to-diameter ratio, wall thickness, feature access and inspection method affect the practical limit. These values are routing guides; the approved drawing and project review define the commitment.
RequirementPublished guidance
Maximum turning diameter
500 mm
Maximum turning length
1,500 mm
Minimum practical diameter
1 mm; smaller features by engineering review
Standard dimensional tolerance
ISO 2768-m for untoleranced dimensions
Tighter tolerances
Down to ±0.002 mm on selected features after geometry, material and inspection review
Threads
Metric and imperial; class and gauges confirmed from drawing
Surface roughness
Ra 0.8 μm standard as-turned target; down to Ra 0.4 μm on selected surfaces
Typical quantities
1–10,000+ parts; prototype through repeat production
Documentation
Inspection report, material documentation and CoC as agreed
04 / ACCOUNTABLE WORKFLOW
From CAD to a result your team can review
Every turning project follows a controlled four-stage path so requirements, revisions, manufacturing decisions and acceptance evidence stay connected.
Define — review the model, drawing, material, quantity, target date, critical features and quality evidence
Define — review the model, drawing, material, quantity, target date, critical features and quality evidence
Route — select standard turning, live-tool turning, mill-turn or a combined process around access, setup risk and cost
Route — select standard turning, live-tool turning, mill-turn or a combined process around access, setup risk and cost
Make — connect approved requirements and revisions to material, tooling, in-process checks and secondary operations
Make — connect approved requirements and revisions to material, tooling, in-process checks and secondary operations
Verify — inspect against the agreed drawing and preserve project-specific reports, material records and dispositions
Verify — inspect against the agreed drawing and preserve project-specific reports, material records and dispositions
05 / QUALITY EVIDENCE
Control the relationships that make a turned part work
A turned component can meet individual dimensions and still fail at assembly if concentricity, runout, thread fit, surface condition or datum relationships are misunderstood. Mockup connects the acceptance plan to the drawing before machining begins.
- ✓Drawing and revision confirmation with critical-to-function feature identification
- ✓Datum and measurement strategy review before manufacturing release
- ✓Material, certification and traceability requirements linked to the project
- ✓First-piece or first-article inspection when agreed
- ✓In-process and final dimensional checks for diameters, runout, threads and surfaces
- ✓Dimensional report, CoC and material documentation when agreed
- ✓Nonconformance review and documented disposition
06 / MATERIALS
Materials selected for function and machinability
Mockup turns common metals and engineering plastics for prototypes and production parts. Availability, certification, temper, condition and substitute rules are confirmed for each project.
LIGHTWEIGHT METAL
Aluminum
Fast machining and broad finishing options for housings, spacers, fittings and instrument components.
- GRADES / OPTIONS
- 6061-T6 · 7075-T6 · 2024
- FINISH / NOTES
- Anodizing · chem film · bead blast
07 / FINISHING
Finish the part without losing control of the requirement
Secondary finishing can change appearance, corrosion resistance, wear behavior and dimensions. Masking, coating thickness, cosmetic zones and post-finish tolerances are defined before the route is approved.
IMAGEFINISHAPPLICABLE MATERIALSCOLOR / APPEARANCEPROCESS NOTES
Metals and engineering plastics
Natural toolpath appearance
Define Ra only on functional surfaces
Aluminum alloys
Clear, black or specified colors
Protect threads and account for coating buildup
Stainless steels
Natural metallic appearance
Confirm specification and documentation requirement
Ferrous alloys
Dark conversion finish
Define corrosion expectation and oil or seal requirement
Compatible metals
Uniform plated appearance
Account for thickness on fits and threads
Process-compatible metals
Matte, directional or bright
Define visual standard and protect functional surfaces
Compatible substrates
Specified color and texture
Define masking and coating build
08 / DESIGN FOR TURNING
Design choices that reduce setups, cost and inspection risk
Turning DFM should protect functional relationships while removing avoidable setup, tooling and measurement difficulty.
Use a clear datum scheme — dimension related diameters and faces from functional references
Use a clear datum scheme — dimension related diameters and faces from functional references
Call out only functional tight tolerances — identify the fit or performance requirement behind them
Call out only functional tight tolerances — identify the fit or performance requirement behind them
Control slender and thin-wall features — share load, sealing or weight constraints for route review
Control slender and thin-wall features — share load, sealing or weight constraints for route review
Specify threads completely — include standard, size, pitch, class, depth and gauge requirements
Specify threads completely — include standard, size, pitch, class, depth and gauge requirements
Plan off-axis features intentionally — flats, cross-holes and slots may favor live tooling or secondary milling
Plan off-axis features intentionally — flats, cross-holes and slots may favor live tooling or secondary milling
Separate cosmetic and functional surfaces — mark visible areas, tool marks, finish direction and protected surfaces
Separate cosmetic and functional surfaces — mark visible areas, tool marks, finish direction and protected surfaces
09 / PART EVIDENCE
Show the part, requirement and proof—not just the machine
Representative turned-part programs demonstrate how the manufacturing route and inspection method are selected around function without exposing customer IP.
Precision Valve Sleeve
316 stainless steel · turning + bore finishing · fit and concentricity verified by bore gauge and CMM report.
Live-Tool Sensor Housing
6061-T6 aluminum · turning + cross-hole milling · sealing diameter and port position verified by CMM.
Repeat-Production Drive Shaft
4140 alloy steel · turning + heat treatment + grinding · runout and bearing seats verified after final processing.
START A PROJECT
Bring us the turned part that cannot be left to assumptions
Upload the model, drawing and project context. A manufacturing engineer will review the turning route, critical requirements, inspection plan and documentation needs before the project moves forward.
Get an online CNC turning quote↗STEP / STP / PARASOLID + PDF DRAWING RECOMMENDEDCNC Turning FAQs
What parts are best suited to CNC turning?+
Parts organized around a central axis—such as shafts, pins, bushings, sleeves, spacers, fittings and collars—are usually strong candidates. Designs with flats, radial holes or slots may use live tooling or a combined mill-turn route.
What is the difference between CNC turning and CNC milling?+
In turning, the workpiece rotates while tools shape cylindrical and rotational features. In milling, the cutting tool rotates around a generally stationary workpiece to create prismatic faces, pockets and multi-sided geometry. Some parts use both processes.
Can Mockup machine tight-tolerance turned parts?+
Yes. Selected features can be reviewed down to ±0.002 mm. The final commitment depends on material, geometry, feature relationships, setup and measurement method and is confirmed against the approved drawing.
Do you support live-tool turning?+
Yes. Live-tool and combined machining routes are available for axial or radial holes, flats, slots and milled features. Route selection depends on access, tolerance relationships, quantity and setup risk.
Can you support both prototypes and production quantities?+
Yes. Mockup supports quantities from one prototype through 10,000+ repeat-production parts, with routing, tooling, revision control and inspection planning adjusted to the release pattern.
What files should I send for a quote?+
Send a 3D CAD model plus a dimensioned drawing whenever tolerances, threads, surface finish, material condition or inspection requirements matter. Include quantity, target date and required reports.
What inspection documents can be supplied?+
Project-specific deliverables may include dimensional inspection results, first-article data, material documentation and a certificate of conformity. Scope and sampling are confirmed during review.
How does Mockup protect revisions and repeat-order requirements?+
The approved model, drawing revision, manufacturing decisions, quality requirements and agreed changes remain connected to the project record, giving repeat production a controlled starting point.
START A PROJECT
Bring us the turned part that cannot be left to assumptions.
Upload the model, drawing and project context. Tell us which dimensions, fits, surfaces or documents determine acceptance.