JLCCNC Blog

Manufacturing Solutions

Low Volume CNC Machining: Small Batch Production Strategies and Manufacturing Guide

Key Takeaways About Low Volume CNC Machining Low volume CNC machining is typically used for production runs ranging from a single part to roughly 1,000 units, without the tooling investment required by molding or casting processes. Small batch CNC machining is often the most practical choice when designs are still evolving, demand is uncertain, or production quantities are too low to justify dedicated tooling. CNC machining can produce production-grade parts from aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, a......

Jun 09, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Straightness GD&T Symbols and Tolerance Guide for Precision Manufacturing

Key Takeaways Straightness GD&T is a form control that limits how much a line element or axis can deviate from a perfectly straight line. It appears as a horizontal line symbol in a feature control frame with no datum reference, straightness never references a datum because it controls the feature relative to itself, not relative to anything else. Surface straightness controls individual line elements on a surface. Axis straightness controls the derived axis of a cylindrical feature and can be applied......

Jun 09, 2026

Metals for CNC

Stainless Steel CNC Machining: Materials, Challenges, Tolerances, and Custom Parts

Key Takeaways About Stainless Steel CNC Machining Stainless steel is usually chosen when aluminum cannot provide enough strength or environmental resistance for the application. Tool wear tends to become a larger concern as cutting time increases. Heat stays near the cutting edge, and the material can harden while machining. Not every stainless grade behaves the same in the machine. A part machined from 303 may run very differently from the same geometry produced in 316. Some cost drivers are easy to ......

Jun 08, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Annealing vs Normalizing Steel: Differences, Properties, Machinability & Applications

Quick Comparison Between Annealing and Normalizing Summarizing annealing and normalizing Manufacturing Consideration Annealing Normalizing Cooling Method Cooled slowly inside the furnace Removed from the furnace and cooled in air Typical Result Softer steel with lower internal stress Stronger steel with a more uniform grain structure CNC Machining Behavior Lower cutting forces and easier chip formation Slightly higher cutting forces but better material consistency Tool Life During Machining Often long......

Jun 08, 2026

Surface Finishing Processes

Coating vs Painting: Key Differences for CNC and Industrial Manufacturing

If you’ve worked in CNC machining or metal fabrication long enough, you eventually stop treating “coating vs painting” as a terminology debate. It becomes a design constraint problem. Because in real manufacturing, surface finishing is not applied at the end of the process—it directly influences whether parts assemble correctly, maintain tolerance, and survive in service environments. In many failed projects, the root cause is not machining accuracy, but an unaccounted coating system that changes geom......

Jun 08, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Die Cutter Systems in Manufacturing: Structure, Process Engineering, Selection Logic & Industrial Applications

Have you ever wondered why your die cutters wear out 2x faster than the supplier promised, or leave unsightly burrs on every part you produce? In my 12 years working in precision tooling procurement and manufacturing engineering, I’ve seen far too many teams skip over the core engineering principles of die cutters, leading to costly production delays and unexpected waste. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cut die cutter systems, from their core mechanical structure to failure pr......

Jun 08, 2026