MetalBizz

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about our manufacturing processes, materials, ordering workflow, and quality standards. Organized by process for easy reference.

CNC Machining

8 questions

What materials can you CNC machine?

We machine aluminum (6061, 7075, 5052, 2024), copper (C110), brass (C360), stainless steel (304, 316, 303), carbon steel (1018, 1045, 4140), titanium (Grade 2, Grade 5), magnesium (AZ31B, AZ91D), and zinc alloys.

What is your maximum CNC part size?

Our largest machining envelope is 1,000 × 600 × 500 mm. For parts exceeding these dimensions, please contact our engineering team for custom solutions.

Do you offer 5-axis machining?

Yes. Our 5-axis simultaneous machining centers can produce complex geometries in a single setup, reducing lead time and improving accuracy for multi-sided parts. We also offer 3-axis and 4-axis machining for simpler geometries.

What surface finishes are available for CNC machined parts?

We offer anodizing (clear, colored, hard), electroless nickel plating, powder coating, bead blasting, black oxide, passivation, and polishing. Custom finishes available on request.

What is the typical lead time for CNC machining?

Prototype orders (1–10 pcs) can ship in as few as 3 business days. Production runs typically ship within 5–15 business days depending on part complexity and quantity. Rush service available.

What tolerances can you hold?

Our standard machining tolerance is ±0.05 mm (ISO 2768-f fine class). For precision features, we can hold ±0.005 mm on critical dimensions. Full CMM inspection reports provided on request.

Do you offer DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback?

Yes. Every RFQ includes a free DFM review. Our engineers evaluate your design for machinability, suggest tolerance optimizations, flag hard-to-reach features, and recommend cost-saving modifications before production begins.

Can you machine hardened or pre-treated materials?

Yes. We regularly machine pre-hardened steels (up to HRC 45), hardened tool steels, and heat-treated alloys. For harder materials, we use carbide and coated tooling with appropriate speeds and feeds.

Die Casting

8 questions

What die casting processes do you offer?

We offer both hot-chamber die casting (for zinc and magnesium alloys with lower melting points) and cold-chamber die casting (for aluminum alloys). Our machines range from 125 to 500 tons clamping force.

What is the minimum wall thickness for die casting?

For zinc alloys (Zamak), we can achieve wall thicknesses as thin as 0.8 mm. For aluminum alloys (ADC12, A380), the minimum is typically 1.5 mm. Magnesium (AZ91D) falls between these ranges at approximately 1.0 mm. Uniform wall thickness is always recommended.

How long does die casting tooling take?

Mold design and fabrication typically takes 3–6 weeks depending on part complexity, number of cavities, and surface finish requirements. Rush tooling options and mold flow simulation are included in our standard tooling package.

What surface finishes are available for die-cast parts?

We offer powder coating, e-coating, chrome plating, anodizing (aluminum), electroless nickel plating, and liquid painting with custom color matching. As-cast surface finish is typically Ra 1.6–3.2 μm. Vibratory deburring and shot blasting are standard post-casting operations.

What is the typical production volume for die casting?

Die casting is ideal for production volumes from 1,000 to 500,000+ parts per year. The steel mold tooling investment is amortized over the production run, making it most cost-effective at higher volumes. For prototyping (< 1,000 pcs), consider CNC machining instead.

Can die-cast parts be machined after casting?

Yes. We offer secondary CNC machining, drilling, tapping, reaming, and boring operations for die-cast parts that require precision features, tight-tolerance bores, or threaded holes beyond what the casting process alone can achieve.

Do you offer mold design and fabrication in-house?

Yes. Our in-house mold design team uses mold flow simulation software to optimize gate placement, runner design, venting, and thermal management before cutting steel. This reduces trial runs and improves first-article quality.

What draft angles do you require?

Standard draft angles are 1–3° for aluminum, 0.5–1.5° for zinc, and 0.5–1° for magnesium on external surfaces. Internal surfaces require 1.5–3°. Shallower drafts may be possible with additional ejector features — consult our engineers.

Stamping

8 questions

What sheet thickness range can you stamp?

We handle sheet metal from 0.1 mm to 6 mm thickness across steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. Our presses range from 25 to 200 tons.

How long does stamping tooling take?

Progressive and compound die tooling typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on complexity and number of stations. Transfer die tooling may take 3–5 weeks. Simple blanking/piercing dies can be ready in 1–2 weeks.

What minimum order quantity do you accept for stamping?

For progressive die stamping, we recommend minimums of 1,000 pieces due to tooling setup and amortization. For simple blanking and piercing without dedicated tooling (using standard punches), we can start from 100 pcs. Laser cutting is a better option for prototype quantities.

Do you offer cold heading and rivet production?

Yes. Our in-house cold heading lines produce solid, semi-tubular, and tubular rivets from ∅1–12 mm in stainless steel, copper, brass, and aluminum. We also provide automated clinching assembly for stamped part joining.

Do you offer post-processing services for stamped parts?

Yes. We provide tapping, riveting, welding (spot, projection, TIG), surface plating (zinc, nickel, chrome), powder coating, e-coating, heat treatment, deburring, and assembly services — all in-house.

What is the difference between progressive and compound dies?

A progressive die performs multiple operations at different stations — the strip advances through each station sequentially. A compound die performs multiple operations (e.g., blanking and piercing) in a single press stroke. Progressive dies are better for complex, multi-feature parts. Compound dies offer better flatness for simple parts.

Can you stamp pre-finished or coated materials?

Yes. We regularly stamp pre-galvanized, pre-anodized, and vinyl-coated sheet materials. We use protective tooling surfaces and controlled feed systems to prevent coating damage. Specify coated material at RFQ for proper die clearance adjustment.

What burr height can I expect on stamped edges?

Standard burr height is ≤0.1 mm with well-maintained tooling. For precision applications, we can hold burr height ≤0.05 mm with sharpened dies and controlled punch-to-die clearance. Deburring (vibratory, thermal, or manual) is available for burr-critical applications.

Laser Cutting

7 questions

What materials and thicknesses can you laser cut?

Carbon steel up to 25 mm, stainless steel up to 20 mm, aluminum up to 12 mm, copper and brass up to 8 mm, and titanium up to 6 mm. Our fiber laser systems handle both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

What is the minimum kerf width?

Minimum kerf width is 0.15 mm for thin materials (≤3 mm) and approximately 0.3–0.5 mm for thicker plates. Kerf width varies with material type, thickness, and cutting parameters.

What tolerances can you hold on laser-cut parts?

Standard positioning tolerance is ±0.1 mm. For precision laser cutting, we can hold ±0.05 mm on thin materials (≤3 mm). Edge quality and dimensional accuracy depend on material type, thickness, and feature size.

Is laser cutting suitable for prototypes?

Yes. Laser cutting is ideal for prototypes and low-volume production. No tooling is required — parts are cut directly from your CAD file. This makes it cost-effective for 1–500 pcs. For higher volumes, stamping may be more economical.

Can you laser cut pre-finished or coated materials?

Yes, with some limitations. Powder-coated and pre-painted sheets can be cut, but there will be a narrow heat-affected zone (HAZ) along the cut edge. We recommend leaving 1–2 mm of extra material for post-cut edge finishing. Masked and film-protected surfaces cut cleanly.

Do you offer bending and forming after laser cutting?

Yes. We offer CNC press brake bending (up to 200 tons, 3,000 mm width) as a secondary operation after laser cutting. This enables us to deliver fully formed sheet metal parts from flat blanks — essentially a complete sheet metal fabrication service.

What is the typical lead time for laser-cut parts?

Simple laser-cut parts can ship in 1–3 business days. Parts requiring secondary operations (bending, tapping, welding, finishing) typically ship within 5–10 business days. No tooling means faster turnaround compared to stamping.

Powder Metallurgy

7 questions

What is powder metallurgy and when should I use it?

Powder metallurgy (PM) compacts metal powder in a die and sinters it to form net-shape or near-net-shape parts. It is ideal for high-volume production of small, complex-shaped components — especially those requiring porous structures (self-lubricating bearings) or hard-to-machine materials. PM generates minimal material waste (>95% material utilization).

What materials are available for powder metallurgy?

Ferrous materials: iron, carbon steel, low-alloy steel, stainless steel (304L, 316L). Non-ferrous: copper, brass, bronze, aluminum. We can tailor powder compositions for specific mechanical properties — density, hardness, wear resistance, and magnetic properties.

What part sizes and geometries are suitable for PM?

PM is best suited for parts weighing 1–500 g with cross-sections up to approximately 50 cm². Complex geometries with steps, holes, gears, splines, and irregular shapes are all feasible. Long, thin sections and very deep features can be challenging — our engineers can advise during DFM review.

How does PM part strength compare to wrought or cast metal?

Conventional press-and-sinter PM parts typically achieve 85–95% of theoretical density, with mechanical properties proportional to density. High-density PM (warm compaction, double-press/double-sinter) can reach 95–98% density. For maximum strength, consider secondary forging (powder forging) or MIM (Metal Injection Molding).

What tolerances can powder metallurgy hold?

Standard tolerances are ±0.05 mm for radial dimensions (perpendicular to pressing direction) and ±0.1–0.2 mm for axial dimensions (parallel to pressing). Sizing/coining operations can tighten tolerances to ±0.01 mm on critical features. CMM inspection and SPC data available.

What secondary operations are available for PM parts?

We offer oil impregnation (self-lubricating bearings), steam treatment (oxide coating for corrosion resistance), heat treatment (through-hardening, case-hardening), plating (zinc, nickel), machining (drilling, tapping, turning), and resin impregnation (sealing porosity for pressure-tight applications).

Is powder metallurgy cost-effective for my application?

PM is most cost-effective at 5,000–500,000+ pieces per year, where tooling amortization is favorable. The near-net-shape capability eliminates most machining, and >95% material utilization reduces raw material cost. For small, complex, high-volume parts, PM often beats casting and machining on total cost per piece.

Ordering & RFQ

6 questions

What file formats do you accept for quoting?

We accept STEP (.step, .stp), IGES (.iges, .igs), Parasolid (.x_t, .x_b), DWG, DXF, PDF drawings, and STL files. 3D solid models (STEP/IGES) are preferred for accurate automatic quoting and DFM analysis. 2D drawings help clarify tolerances and critical features.

How do I get a quote?

Upload your CAD file at /rfq and select material, process, quantity, and surface finish. Our system provides an instant preliminary quote with DFM feedback. For complex parts, our engineering team reviews your design and provides a final quote within 24 hours.

Do you offer free DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback?

Yes. Every RFQ receives a free DFM review. Our engineers evaluate your design for the selected manufacturing process, flag potential issues (undercuts, thin walls, draft angles, hard-to-reach features), suggest tolerance optimizations, and recommend cost-saving modifications before production begins.

What is the minimum order quantity?

We have no minimum order quantity for CNC machining and laser cutting — order 1 piece or 10,000. For stamping and die casting, tooling investment favors 1,000+ pcs. Powder metallurgy is economical at 5,000+ pcs. We can advise on the best process for your volume during quoting.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept bank transfer (T/T), Letter of Credit (L/C), PayPal, and major credit cards. Payment terms: 50% deposit with order, 50% before shipment. Net-30 terms available for established accounts after credit approval.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We ship worldwide via DHL, FedEx, UPS (express), and sea freight (consolidated or FCL). Duties and taxes are the responsibility of the importer. We provide all necessary export documentation including Certificate of Origin, packing list, and commercial invoice.

Quality & Inspection

5 questions

What quality certifications do you hold?

We are ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management. We also hold IATF 16949 (automotive), ISO 13485 (medical devices), AS9100D (aerospace), and ISO 14001 (environmental). All certifications are maintained through annual third-party surveillance audits.

What inspection equipment do you use?

Our metrology lab includes: CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine, ISO 10360, ±0.002 mm accuracy), 3D scanner, 2.5D vision measuring system, surface roughness tester (Ra 0.05–50 μm), hardness testers (Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell), tensile strength tester (100 kN), salt spray chamber (ASTM B117), coating thickness gauge, and RoHS analyzer (IEC 62321).

Do you provide inspection reports with shipments?

Yes. Every order includes a dimensional inspection report. We can provide CMM reports, material certifications (mill test reports), surface finish measurement reports, hardness test reports, and PPAP documentation (Level 1–5) upon request. Full traceability from raw material to finished part.

What is your quality defect rate?

Our overall defect rate is below 0.2% (less than 2,000 PPM). For automotive programs with IATF 16949 requirements, we maintain SPC (Statistical Process Control) data on critical characteristics and can provide Cp/Cpk capability studies.

What happens if parts are out of specification?

Every part is inspected before shipment. If any part is found out of specification, we will re-manufacture the non-conforming parts at no cost to you. We also perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Our quality team communicates proactively if any deviation is discovered.