5-Axis Milling
CoreComplex geometries machined in a single setup. The capability customers come to us for.
- +Single-setup complex parts
- +Tight tolerances on prismatic geometry
- +Hardened tool steels, aluminium, titanium, Inconel
Capabilities
What we can make, on what kit, in what material.
The detail below is what your engineers need to qualify us as a supplier. Pricing depends on material, quantity, and tolerance, so we quote on drawings.
machining
CNC Machining
Subtractive precision. One-offs through to scheduled production batches.
4-Axis Milling
Production milling for parts that don't need full 5-axis articulation.
Discuss this workCNC Turning & Boring
CoreShafts, bushings, housings. Production turning with live tooling.
- +Bar feed work
- +Sub-spindle for single-setup parts
- +TODO: confirm bar capacity with workshop
Tool Presetting & Inspection
In-house tool measurement keeps setup times short and first-off rejection rates low.
Discuss this workprototyping
Prototyping & Design Support
From a 3D CAD file or a hand sketch to a working part you can hold.
Rapid Prototyping
CoreWorking metal prototypes from STEP or IGES. Typical lead time 5–10 working days.
Discuss this workDesign For Manufacture
DFM review on your CAD before machining. We flag features that cost time and propose alternatives.
Discuss this workReverse Engineering
Bring an obsolete part. We measure, model in CAD, and remanufacture.
Discuss this workqa
Quality Assurance
Full in-house inspection. Traceable. Documented.
CMM Inspection
CoreCoordinate measuring machine reports against your drawing or model.
Discuss this workFirst Article Inspection
AS9102-aligned first article reports for aerospace customers.
- +TODO: confirm AS9102 reporting in-house vs partnered
Material Certification
Mill certificates and material traceability supplied with every batch on request.
Discuss this workassembly
Assembly & Finishing
We finish, build, and ship. You unbox a working assembly.
Sub-Assembly Build
Press fits, fasteners, threadlock, functional test. Documented build records.
Discuss this workSurface Finishing
Anodising, plating, bead-blast, paint. Through trusted UK partners.
Discuss this workPackaging & Despatch
Kit packing, labelling, courier despatch. Turnkey delivery to your line.
Discuss this workMachine list
On the shop floor.
A current inventory of our key CNC, mill-turn, and inspection equipment. Travels listed in X × Y × Z.
TODO: confirm machine list with the workshop manager. Models below are placeholders typical of a shop with Minden's profile.
5-Axis Machining
| Make | Model | Envelope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMG MORI | DMU 50 — 5-axis | 500 × 450 × 400 mm | Universal milling |
| Hermle | C 400 U — 5-axis | 650 × 600 × 500 mm | Heavy-duty 5-axis |
Milling — 3 & 4 Axis
| Make | Model | Envelope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haas | VF-3SS — 3-axis with 4th | 1016 × 508 × 635 mm | Production milling |
| Haas | VF-2SS — 3-axis | 762 × 406 × 508 mm | Smaller production work |
Turning & Mill-Turn
| Make | Model | Envelope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazak | Integrex i-200 — mill-turn | Ø 658 × 1011 mm | Single-setup complex parts |
| Mazak | Quick Turn 250M | Ø 380 × 1011 mm | Production turning with C-axis |
Quality & Inspection
| Make | Model | Envelope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitutoyo | Crysta-Apex S 776 CMM | 700 × 700 × 600 mm | PC-DMIS with CAD compare |
| Mitutoyo | Toolmakers' microscope + surface tester | — | Ra/Rz, profile |
Materials
What we cut.
Common grades held or sourced through our trusted UK material suppliers. Material certificates and traceability supplied on request.
Aluminium
- · 6082-T6
- · 7075-T6
- · 2014A
- · 5083
- · Cast tooling plate
Steels
- · EN1A / EN8 / EN24T
- · 316L stainless
- · 17-4 PH
- · Tool steels (D2, O1, H13)
Titanium
- · Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
- · Grade 2 CP-Ti
Superalloys
- · Inconel 625 / 718
- · Hastelloy C276
- · Monel
Copper alloys
- · Brass CZ121
- · Phosphor bronze
- · Beryllium copper
Engineering plastics
- · PEEK
- · PTFE
- · Delrin (POM)
- · Nylon
- · Acetal
Tolerances & finish
What we hold to.
Indicative figures by process. Achievable tolerance always depends on part geometry, material and fixturing — happy to discuss specifics on a drawing.
| Process | Typical | Best achievable | Surface finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-axis milling | ±0.025 mm | ±0.005 mm | Ra 0.8 µm |
| 3 & 4-axis milling | ±0.05 mm | ±0.01 mm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| CNC turning | ±0.025 mm | ±0.005 mm | Ra 0.8 µm |
| CMM inspection | — | 1.7 + L/333 µm | Traceable, MPE_E rated |
TODO: confirm tolerance and surface finish figures with the QA manager.
Lead times
- Prototype
- 5–10 working days
- Small batch (≤25 off)
- 2–4 weeks
- Production batch
- Scheduled, agreed at quote
- Quote turnaround
- Same / next working day
Inspection
- ·In-house CMM inspection on every batch
- ·First Article Inspection reports (AS9102-aligned)
- ·Material certificates and full traceability
- ·Surface roughness and profile measurement
- ·PPAP-style documentation packs on request
File formats
Send us almost anything.
We work from CAD or drawings. STEP is preferred for 3D, PDF for 2D. If you only have a sketch, that's fine too. We've quoted off worse.
STEP (.stp / .step)
IGES (.igs / .iges)
Parasolid (.x_t / .x_b)
SolidWorks (.sldprt / .sldasm)
Native PDF drawings
DWG / DXF
Don't see it listed?
If it's precision, we can probably make it.
Send the drawing or describe the problem. If it's not for us, we'll tell you who to ask.