JLCCNC Blog

Design Tips & Best Practices

Design for Cost in Manufacturing: DFM and Cost Reduction

Key Takeaways About Design for Cost Design for cost (DFC) integrates manufacturing cost into geometry, tolerance, material, and process decisions during early design definition. Design to cost engineering defines a target unit cost early and uses it as a design constraint alongside functional requirements. Most cost reduction potential exists during design definition, not during machining optimization or production tuning. In CNC manufacturing, cost is often driven by geometry complexity, tolerance ti......

May 30, 2026

Surface Finishing Processes

Sulfuric Acid Anodizing for Aluminum in CNC Manufacturing

Key Takeaways About Sulfuric Acid Anodizing Sulfuric acid anodizing is the most widely used anodizing process for CNC-machined aluminum parts. The process creates an integral oxide layer that improves corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and surface appearance. Coating thickness affects both performance and dimensional growth, making tolerance planning important for precision components. Aluminum alloy selection influences anodizing quality, color consistency, and final surface appearance. Type II s......

May 30, 2026

Manufacturing Solutions

On-Demand Manufacturing Process for CNC Production and Custom Parts

Key Takeaways CNC on-demand manufacturing is the most common implementation, machined metal and plastic parts produced from uploaded files with fast turnaround. The model reduces inventory investment, enables low-minimum-quantity orders, and allows design changes without scrapping committed production batches. On-demand production doesn't eliminate manufacturing cost, it shifts when that cost is incurred and removes the carrying cost of unsold inventory. The economics favor on-demand manufacturing at ......

May 30, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Angle Milling Process and CNC Angular Milling for Precision Parts

Key Takeaways CNC angle milling covers everything like simple edge chamfers on a 3-axis machine to precision compound-angle surfaces on 5-axis equipment. Chamfer milling uses dedicated chamfer mills or countersink tools for edge preparation; bevel milling cuts larger angled faces for weld preparation and structural features. Angular accuracy in angle milling depends on tool geometry accuracy, workpiece setup, and, in tilted-axis operations, the calibration of the rotary axis. The angle milling process......

May 30, 2026

CNC Machining Fundamentals

Step Turning Process and CNC Shaft Turning for Precision Machining

Key Takeaways Step turning is a CNC turning operation that machines a shaft to multiple diameters in a single setup, producing the stepped profiles that most mechanical shafts require for bearing fits, gear interfaces, and assembly clearances. Step turning produces multiple shaft diameters by machining each section sequentially along the shaft axis, with shoulder faces cut at each diameter transition. Concentric accuracy across all steps depends on maintaining consistent centerline alignment throughou......

May 29, 2026

Surface Finishing Processes

Abrasive Blasting Process for CNC Machined Components: Technical Best Practices

Key Takeaways Abrasive blasting propels media at metal surfaces to clean, texture, or prep them, the process changes depending almost entirely on what media you use and how hard you throw it. Industrial abrasive blasting isn't one process, sandblasting, bead blasting, shot blasting, grit blasting all use the same principle and produce completely different surface conditions. In most applications, media selection has a greater influence on the final surface condition than blasting pressure or nozzle co......

May 29, 2026