Process comparison
Manufacturing Capabilities
Compare CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing, precision grinding, and EDM to choose a practical route for your part.
Compare manufacturing processes
Choose the right process for your part
Start with the part geometry, material, quantity, and critical tolerances. This comparison shows where each PartsMake capability fits—and where another process may be more practical.
| Process | Best suited parts | Materials | Practical quantity | Tolerance capability | Consider another process when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Housings, brackets, plates, fixtures, shafts, pins, bushings, sleeves, threaded parts, and complex multi-face components | Aluminum, stainless and carbon steels, alloy and tool steels, titanium, copper alloys, nickel alloys, and engineering plastics | 1–100,000+ pieces | Standard ±0.01–0.05 mm; precision features down to ±0.005 mm | The design is a thin formed enclosure, tooling cost is justified for high-volume molded plastic, or the part is only needed as a fast form-and-fit model |
| Injection molding | Plastic housings, clips, covers, gears, functional components, insert-molded parts, and overmolded assemblies | ABS, PC, PC/ABS, PP, PE, POM, nylon, PBT, TPU/TPE, PPS, PEEK, and filled engineering resins | 100–1,000,000+ parts | Typical ±0.05–0.20 mm; precision molding down to ±0.03 mm | The quantity does not justify tooling, the design is still changing frequently, or required geometry cannot be released with practical draft and tooling access |
| Sheet metal fabrication | Enclosures, chassis, panels, brackets, covers, frames, welded structures, and mechanical assemblies | Aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, galvanized steel, copper, and brass sheet | 1–50,000+ pieces | Cutting typically ±0.10 mm and down to ±0.05 mm; bending typically ±0.25 mm and ±0.5° | The part needs thick prismatic geometry, deep internal features, close-tolerance machined datums, or a seamless molded form |
| 3D printing | Concept models, rapid prototypes, functional test parts, low-volume components, internal channels, and complex lightweight geometry | SLA resins, PA11/PA12 nylon, TPU, ABS, PETG, PC, PEI, PEEK, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and Inconel | 1–10,000+ pieces | Typically ±0.2% with a minimum of ±0.2 mm; precision SLA approximately ±0.1–0.2 mm | Simple geometry is moving into repeat volume, cosmetic surfaces must be mold-quality without finishing, or critical interfaces require machining-level control |
| Precision grinding | Precision mating surfaces, shafts, pins, wear components, tooling, and hardened parts requiring final size or finish control | Steel, stainless steel, tool steel, and hardened alloys | Prototype through repeat production, usually as a finishing operation | Grinding tolerance down to ±0.002 mm; surface finish down to Ra 0.2 μm | The job requires heavy stock removal, complex freeform geometry, deep cavities, or features that cannot be reached by the grinding wheel |
| EDM machining | Hardened profiles, narrow slots, mold cavities, fine internal features, small deep holes, tooling, and difficult-to-machine conductive parts | Hardened steel, tool steel, and other electrically conductive metals | One-off tooling through repeat precision production | Wire EDM tolerance down to ±0.005 mm | The material is non-conductive, rapid bulk removal is the priority, or the feature is readily accessible to conventional milling or turning |
How to read the tolerance column: listed values follow the current PartsMake company profile and describe overall process capability, not an automatic tolerance for every feature. Part size, material, geometry, heat treatment, wall thickness, datum strategy, and inspection method are reviewed before quotation.
Detailed capability pages
Review the process before requesting a quote
Open a capability below for process variants, applications, design considerations, and related manufacturing services.
CNC Machining
PartsMake delivers precision CNC machining for custom metal and plastic components, supporting functional prototypes through repeat production.
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Injection Molding
PartsMake supports DFM review, mold development, and molded-part production for prototype, bridge, and production programs.
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Sheet Metal Fabrication
PartsMake provides cutting, bending, welding, hardware installation, finishing, and assembly support for custom sheet metal parts.
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3D Printing
PartsMake supports SLA, SLS, MJF, FDM, and DMLS/SLM for prototypes, functional testing, and low-volume production.
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Precision Grinding
PartsMake provides surface, cylindrical, and centerless grinding for critical dimensions, mating faces, bearing and seal diameters, and hardened wear surfaces.
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EDM Machining
PartsMake supports Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, and Small-Hole EDM for complex features in hardened steel, tool steel, and other conductive metals.
View details →Engineering before production
Manufacturing starts with understanding the part
The engineering team reviews drawings, CAD files, materials, tolerances, critical dimensions, surface requirements, quantities, and intended applications before production begins.
This approach helps identify manufacturing risks early, coordinate the right processes, and deliver parts ready for assembly and use.
Built for the full product lifecycle
From prototype to repeat production
PartsMake can coordinate machining, molding, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, secondary processing, finishing, inspection, assembly, and packaging through one project team.
Prototype to production
Support across engineering samples, pilot production, low-volume production, and repeat manufacturing.
Inspection-driven quality
Dimensional and material verification aligned with drawing requirements and project expectations.
Multiple processes, one partner
Coordinate complementary manufacturing methods through one engineering and project management team.
Clear technical communication
Discuss materials, tolerances, manufacturability, finishing, and inspection with people who understand production.
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