Designing with CNC manufacturability in mind speeds up the machining, boosts programming efficiency, lowers costs, and helps you create clean, functional parts. The Onit team helps you develop a smart design to keep everything on track. Below is a quick look at our DFM process and the depth of our collaborative project blueprint.
DEEP POCKET
Deep pockets add time and cost by causing tool wear and vibrations. We aim for pocket-depths less than 3 times the smallest tool’s diameter.
NARROW AREAS
Narrow areas can be tough to machine and increase the chance of tool or part failure. We keep features shallow and walls thicker than 0.03" (0.762 mm).
INTERNAL CORNERS
CNC drill bits naturally create rounded internal corners, making sharp edges tricky and more expensive to machine. To keep things running smoothly and extend tool life, we recommend designing inside corners with radii a bit larger than the cutter.
LIMITING FEATURES
Features like internal counterbores or negative drafts can be difficult to machine and increase costs if tools can’t easily reach them. We make sure every feature is fully accessible to keep production efficient and hassle-free.
OUTSIDE FILLETS
Outside fillets need sharp cutters and precise setups, which can get expensive fast. A simple way to cut costs is to bevel or chamfer those edges instead.
THIN WALLS
Thin walls can lead to chatter in metals and warping in plastics, affecting dimensions and cosmetics. To avoid these issues, we recommend a minimum thickness of 0.03” for metals and 0.06” for plastics.
HOLES
Flat-bottomed holes complicate machining and later operations like reaming. To avoid this, we recommend using a standard twist drill with a cone-shaped bottom.
Perpendicularity
Drill tips can wander and leave uneven burrs if the hole’s surface isn’t perpendicular to the drill axis. For a clean, smooth finish, design your holes with a perpendicular start and end face.
Companies often find success blending both domestic and international options to streamline their supply chains. It’s all about finding the right balance between cost, quality, lead times, and technology to meet your project’s unique needs. We handle both to make your decision that much easier.
LOCAL
When you need parts fast and don’t want to waste time with shipping or customs hiccups. Shorten your supply chain with our local machining.
INTERNATIONAL
Tight Budget? We’ll take your large scale production international to maximize efficiency.
CNC MATERIALS
Multiple material options can help you find the perfect fit but too many options can complicate the decision process. Whether we’re talking metals or plastics we’ll focus on functional requirements and explore common applications to find the best fit. The following metals and plastics are commonly used in CNC machining.
01. ABS
Tough and versatile plastic that cuts like butter. It’s cost-effective and works well for a wide range of products. While it’s not great for high-heat situations, it’s great for most applications.
02. Nylon
Stronger than ABS with a smooth surface great for mechanical gears. Absorbing moisture over time makes it less than ideal for marine applications, and it can be tough on cutting tools during machining.
03. PEEK
Lightweight, high-strength and heat-resistant plastic perfect for advanced applications like medical and aerospace. It comes with a higher price tag but is a go-to when performance counts.
04. UHMWPE
UHMWPE is an exceptionally tough, chemical-resistant plastic with a naturally slippery surface. This makes it perfect for applications that are exposed to impact loads and bearing surfaces.
05. Aluminum
The most common general-purpose metal used in machining and for good reason. AL 6061 is versatile and budget friendly. AL 7075 is a higher grade with excellent strength-to-weight characteristics.
06. Brass
Brass is a soft, easy-cutting metal often used for cosmetic applications due to its good-as-gold polish. It's also conductive, non-magnetic, and has natural anti-microbial properties.
07. Titanium
Titanium is known for its ultra-strength, corrosion-resistance and biocompatibility. Although tough to machine, and more expensive, it is perfect for aerospace, medical, and robotics industries.
08. Steel
Whether it’s Carbon Steel, SS 304, or SS 316, each type brings its own strengths in durability, corrosion-resistance, and machinability—perfect for a wide range of applications.
03. PEEK
Lightweight, high-strength and heat-resistant plastic perfect for advanced applications like medical and aerospace. It comes with a higher price tag but is a go-to when performance counts.
04. UHMWPE
UHMWPE is an exceptionally tough, chemical-resistant plastic with a naturally slippery surface. This makes it perfect for applications that are exposed to impact loads and bearing surfaces.
05. Aluminum
The most common general-purpose metal used in machining and for good reason. AL 6061 is versatile and budget friendly. AL 7075 is a higher grade with excellent strength-to-weight characteristics.
06. Brass
Brass is a soft, easy-cutting metal often used for cosmetic applications due to its good-as-gold polish. It's also conductive, non-magnetic, and has natural anti-microbial properties.
07. Titanium
Titanium is known for its ultra-strength, corrosion-resistance and biocompatibility. Although tough to machine, and more expensive, it is perfect for aerospace, medical, and robotics industries.
08. Steel
Whether it’s Carbon Steel, SS 304, or SS 316, each type brings its own strengths in durability, corrosion-resistance, and machinability—perfect for a wide range of applications.
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TESTIMONIALS
Whether it's additive or subtractive, it's collaborative. See for yourself.
“We reached out to Onit for support on a cost-reduction initiative for one of our overly complex assemblies. The Onit team was instrumental in redesigning several components from metal to plastic, and they even helped consolidate a few part numbers, which streamlined our BOM and ultimately lowered our overall costs."
Brian Willebrand
Director of Engineering
Modern Process Equipment
"Onit Mfg has delivered cost-effective, high-quality molds, mold bases and cavities on time and to specification. The craftsmanship and accuracy of the mold-tooling have noticeably improved the quality of Lemo products by increasing yields and reducing cosmetic errors and waste by over 20%."
Steven Murdoch
P.E. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
LEMO
"Onit Mfg has been one of the most communicative and accountable vendors that I've worked with. Where they shine is their excellent communication and customer service, as well as their ability to address complex manufacturing challenges."
