Sheet metal fabrication is a metal manufacturing technology focused on processing thin-gauge flat stock (typically 1-16mm thickness) through processes including:

• Cutting (Laser, Plasma)

• Blanking 

• Bending 

• Forming 

Sheet metal components feature:
✅ Light weight
✅ High strength-to-weight ratio
✅ Corrosion resistance
✅ Smooth surface finish
✅ Cost-effective mass production

These advantages enable widespread applications across:
• Automotive manufacturing
• Building/construction
• Electronics enclosures
• Aerospace structures
• Medical equipment

As a procurement manager for components, do you often face significant discrepancies in CNC machining quotes? Behind the price differences lies a major culprit—processing waste. This includes material loss, tool scrapping, rework, downtime, and more. Ultimately, all waste is reflected in your quoted price.

Competing by squeezing profit margins is unsustainable. The real solution is waste reduction! In this blog, we openly share our factory’s core strategies and real data for minimizing CNC waste—revealing why we offer greater value.

Headlights are not only simple lighting tools, but also the soul of window on the car. Unique headlight design is the core of brand recognition. It is also the intersection of safety and artistically.

Designers are constantly adjusting the aesthetics of the curved surface, optical efficiency and aerodynamic limits on car lights. Purchasing engineers are also looking for the best balance between cost, quality and delivery time.

Behind these stringent goals, there is a silent cornerstone: CNC machining.

Do you think CNC machining is just loading a drawing and pressing "go"? Think again. While  5-Axis CNC machines are marvels of automation, the difference between a good part and an amazing part often lies in subtle, easily overlooked details. Here are 10 critical factors that might be you ignore before.

The Unreplaceable Value of Manual Skills in Digital Manufacturing

Walk into any CNC machine factory, and you’ll see lines of CNC machines well-organized operation. Yet in the corners are benches where master craftsman no robot can replace. Different with predictions of total automation, 73% of high-precision manufacturers retain specialized manual department—not to commemorate the spirit of craftsmanship, but it has a key factor to improve product precision. In aerospace, medical and automatic industrial, these experts deliver what machines cannot.

The Marking Dilemma

In manufacturing, part identification not only for appearance, but also for achieving specific functions such as traceability codes, safety labels, and branding, all of which impact the product lifecycle, compliance, and user experience. Therefore, we have to choose silkscreen or laser marking process from the cost, durability, material compatibility, and scalability, etc. Sometimes a small mistake of the marking can even lead to a rejected a batch of parts, supply chain delays and a 200% cost over. This blog teaches you how to choose between these two processes based on our factory data.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Choosing between CNC milling and turning isn’t about finding a "better" process—it’s about matching the technology to your part’s geometry, material, and functional requirements. Milling excels at complex 3D contours and asymmetric features, while turning dominates for cylindrical symmetry and rotational precision. Misapplying these methods leads to:

• 50–70% higher machining costs from inefficient material removal

• Dimensional inaccuracies due to improper toolpath forces

• Extended lead times from unnecessary setups or rework

Understanding their core differences unlocks faster production, tighter tolerances, and 20–30% cost savings.

Why Surface Treatment Matters More Than You Think

CNC-machined parts rarely perform optimally straight off the machine. Raw surfaces retain visible tool marks (Ra 1.6–6.3 μm), creating stress concentration points that reduce fatigue life by 15–30% . Post-processing eliminates these flaws while adding critical functionality: corrosion resistance, wear protection, aesthetic appeal, or dimensional stability. Selecting the wrong finish risks part failure, unnecessary costs, or rejected designs.