PARTS IN 1-3 DAYS
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CNC Routing
CNC Routing
We don’t have minimums, we deliver the best parts for your money, and meet your deadlines!
Every job is unique, and many require special considerations for materials, finishing, custom work, or urgent delivery – your commercial quote will be turned around by seasoned estimators who confirm all aspects of your job.
“We are extremely happy with the quality of parts
received as well as the level of service…Thanks!”
–Micah H., VP Product Development
“Finding Prototek by chance was like hitting
the Strategic Sourcing Easy Button.”
– Brian H., Senior Designer
“On time and to Spec. To EVERYONE involved
producing quality parts a hearty thanks.”
– Jim T., Senior Product Engineer
“Fastest quoting & delivery I’ve ever
experienced, & the parts look great!”
– John H., Lead Mechanical Engineer
Amazing companies choose PROTOTEK for high-quality parts done fast!
Licenses, certifications
and real CNC routing service
and real CNC routing service
Expertise and quality are paramount. With more than three decades of experience in commercial CNC routing, we’ve achieved a rich set of certifications and provide high-touch attention and service to every quote – and every job.
We engage with our customers to help them design better and more cost-effective parts before we start manufacturing. We want to be your one-stop shop for parts. Most of our business is from returning customers, and to achieve that, we strive to hit our customer’s deadlines across all project types.
CNC Routing – Working with PROTOTEK
Deep capabilities in commercial sheet metal and machining – design, CNC routing, manufacturing, finishing, and even complex assemblies.
What do we do?
- Sheet Metal Parts & Assemblies in 1-3 Days
- CNC Milled and Turned Parts in 1-3 Days
- Additive Manufactured Parts in 1 – 3 Days
- Expedited Jobs
About our fast, flexible, personalized service:
- ISO-9001:2015 Certified, ITAR Registered
- Quotes within 24 Hours
- Contact us about our expedited services
Our CNC routing capabilities start below but they don’t stop there. Want to talk to someone about a job, upload a file for quote or call us now.
QUOTES WITHIN 24HRS
We accept these file types STP, PRT, IGS, DXF, STL, and more!
PARTS & ASSEMBLIES – ONE STOP SHOP
NO ORDER TOO SMALL
EXPEDITED PARTS IN 1-3 DAYS
Prototek's In-house Capabilities
Sheet Metal
- Manufacturing Design Assistance
- Laser Cutting - Punching
- Material Graining
- Drilling - Countersinking - Tapping
- Forming - Bending
- Hardware Insertion
- Mechanical Assembly
- TIG, MIG, Spot Welding & Weld Grinding
- Welded Assemblies & Frames
Machining
- Up to 5-Axis Milling
- Horizontal & Vertical Milling
- 9-Axis Mill-Turn
- Turning
- CNC Routing
- Surface Grinding
- Lapping & Polishing
- Welding / Post-Weld Machining
- Heli-Coils / Hardware Inserts
Cutting & Engraving
- Wire & Sinker EDM Cutting
- Waterjet Cutting
- CO2 Laser
- Fiberoptic
Quality Assurance
- Quality Engineering Assistance
- CMM Inspection Services
- First Article and AQL Inspections
- Compliance and Document Control
Plastic & Composite Fabrication
- Plastic Thermoforming - Bending
- Annealing
- Cryogenic Deflashing & Deburring
- Plastic Welding
- Thermal, Adhesive, & Mechanical Bonding
- Vapor Polishing
- Radiological Film-Cutting Services
Assembly
- Manufacturing Design Assistance
- Tooling and Fixture Fabrication
- Electro-Mechanical Services
- Welded, Mechanical, & Small Parts Assembly
- Wire Harnessing
- Laser Cutting – Polymers & Metals
- Insert Installation
Finishing
- Powder Coating
- Painting
- Chemical Agent Resistant Coating
- Silk Screening
- Laser Engraving
- Chem Film
- Anodizing
- Black Oxide
- Bead Blasting
- Tumbling
Additive Manufacturing
- Laser Sintering
- Multi Jet Fusion
- Stereolithography
- Digital Light Processing
- Fused Filament Fabrication
- Material Jetting
- Cast Urethane
Introduction to CNC Routing
CNC machining has grown in popularity in recent years as a result of its advantages, which include improved performance, capability and waste reduction for shops. As a result of this growing popularity, many different types of CNC machines have been created, each with its own set of features and benefits.
CNC routers are an example of an innovative machine that can replace multiple other machines with one advanced tool. Steel, aluminum, composites and plastic can all be cut with the aid of a CNC router.
What is CNC Routing?
A CNC router is a computer-controlled cutting machine that uses a router as a spindle to cut a variety of materials. Many applications in industrial plastics and metal fabrication can be executed using a CNC router.
A CNC machine is controlled by a collection of pre-programmed commands. G-code is the most popular programming language for CNC, but other languages such as Heidenhain and Mazak are also available.
CNC routers have grown in popularity thanks to their versatility. Industrial-strength models for large-scale manufacturing are available and effect for commercial applications from prototyping parts to short-run production.
CNC Routing Materials
Here are the various materials available for CNC routing
| CNC Routing Material | Grade / Alloy | Heat Treatable | Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) | Fatigue Strength (PSI) | Hardness (Brinell) | Machinability (AISI Rating) | CNC Routing Material | Grade / Alloy | Heat Treatable | Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) | Fatigue Strength (PSI) | Hardness (Brinell) | Machinability (AISI Rating) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 1100-0 | No | 13000 | 5000 | 23 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 1100-H112 | No | 13000 | 4600 | 23 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 1100-H14 | No | 18000 | 7200 | 32 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2011-T3 | Yes | 52000 | 1800 | 95 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2011-T451 | Yes | 45000 | 11000 | 95 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-0 | Yes | 27000 | 13000 | 47 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T3 | Yes | 63800 | 20000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T351 | Yes | 57300 | 20000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T3511 | Yes | 67000 | 18000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T4 | Yes | 45000 | 20000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T851 | Yes | 75000 | 20000 | 140 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3003-H14 | No | 23000 | 8700 | 42 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3003-H22 | No | 20000 | 10000 | 37 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-0 | No | 28000 | 16000 | 47 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-H112 | No | 29000 | 11000 | 55 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-H32 | No | 34000 | 17000 | 60 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-H34 | No | 37000 | 18000 | 68 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5083-H112 | No | 44000 | 16000 | 75 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5083-H116 | No | 47000 | 23000 | 83 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5086-H111 | No | 40000 | 15000 | 65 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5086-H112 | No | 39000 | 14000 | 69 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5086-H116 | No | 44000 | 22000 | 81 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6020-T8 | Yes | 43900 | N/A | 100 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-T6 | Yes | 45000 | 14000 | 93 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-T651 | Yes | 46000 | 14000 | 93 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-T6511 | Yes | 42000 | 15000 | 95 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6063-T52 | Yes | 25000 | 9700 | 60 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6262-T9 | Yes | 57000 | 13000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7050-T7451 | Yes | 76000 | 30000 | 140 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7050-T7651 | Yes | 80000 | 31000 | 147 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-T6 | Yes | 83000 | 23000 | 150 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-T651 | Yes | 80000 | 23000 | 150 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-T73 | Yes | 72000 | 23000 | 140 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-T7351 | Yes | 73000 | 24000 | 140 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7475-T7351 | Yes | 72000 | 28000 | 135 | 360% |
| Aluminum | K100-S | No | 41000 | N/A | 70 | 450% |
| Aluminum | M-1 | No | 42900 | N/A | 85 | 450% |
| Aluminum | MIC-6 | No | 23900 | N/A | 65 | 450% |
| Bearing Bronze | C93200 | No | 34800 | 16000 | 65 | 70% |
| Brass | C26000 | No | 46000-99000 | 14000 | 210 | 30% |
| Brass | C36000 | No | 4800-77000 | 16000 | 78 | 100% |
| Brass | C46400 | No | 55000 - 88000 | 14500 | 82 | 30% |
| Bronze | C31400 | Yes | 40000-60000 | N/A | 56-59 | 80% |
| Carbon Steel | A36 | Yes | 80000 | N/A | 119-159 | 72% |
| Copper | C11000 | No | 25000-29000 | 11000-17000 | 82-92 | 60% |
| Copper | C14500 | No | 47900 | 13000 | 60-130 | 85% |
| Phosphor Bronze | C54400 | No | 47000-100000 | N/A | N/A | 80% |
| Silicon Aluminum Bronze | C64200 | No | 75000-102000 | 50000 | N/A | 60% |
| Stainless Steel | 15-5PH | Yes | 115000-190000 | 95000-160000 | 255-388 | 45% |
| Stainless Steel | 17-4PH | Yes | 115000-190000 | 75000-90000 | 255-388 | 45% |
| Stainless Steel | 17-7PH | Yes | 170000 | 42000 | 180 | 75% |
| Stainless Steel | 303 | Yes | 87000-100000 | 33000-52000 | 170-210 | 75% |
| Stainless Steel | 304 | Yes | 84000-170000 | 30000-63000 | 170-360 | 40% |
| Stainless Steel | 304L | Yes | 78000-170000 | 25000-62000 | 160-350 | 40% |
| Stainless Steel | 316 | Yes | 76000-170000 | 30000-63000 | 160-360 | 36% |
| Stainless Steel | 316L | Yes | 77000-170000 | 25000-65000 | 170-350 | 36% |
| Stainless Steel | 321 | Yes | 85000-10000 | 32000-40000 | 170-210 | 36% |
| Stainless Steel | 347 | Yes | 89000-100000 | 32000-40000 | 160-201 | 36% |
| Stainless Steel | 410 | Yes | 76000-110000 | 28000-50000 | 190-240 | 54% |
| Stainless Steel | 416 | Yes | 75000-120000 | 33000-50000 | 230-320 | 50% |
| Stainless Steel | 420 | Yes | 100000-250000 | 33000-97000 | 190 | 50% |
| Stainless Steel | 420F | Yes | 110000 | 39000 | 230 | 68% |
| Stainless Steel | 430 | Yes | 75000 | 45000 | 160 | 66% |
| Stainless Steel | 430F | Yes | 79800 | 30000 | 170 | 75% |
| Stainless Steel | 440C | Yes | 100000-290000 | 38000-120000 | 222 | 40% |
| Steel | 1018 | Yes | 63000-70000 | 26000-38000 | 130-140 | 78% |
| Steel | 1045 | Yes | 90000-98000 | 33000-53000 | 180-190 | 57% |
| Steel | 1215 | Yes | 78300 | N/A | 167 | 136% |
| Steel | 4140 | Yes | 100000-160000 | N/A | 200-310 | 66% |
| Steel | 11L17 | Yes | 86300 | N/A | 179 | 9% |
| Steel | 12L14 | Yes | 78300 | 28000-41000 | 163 | 198% |
| Titanium | 6AL-4V | Yes | 131000 | 74000 | 334 | 22% |
| Titanium | 6AL-4V ELI | Yes | 125000 | 20300 | 326 | 22% |
| Titanium | 3Al 2.5 | No | 89900 | 24700 | 256 | N/A |
Differences Between CNC Routing and CNC Milling
A CNC mill essentially performs the same functions as a CNC router, but there are a few important distinctions. Mills are used to cut metals and tougher materials, while routers are used to cut softer materials. A CNC mill makes use of rotary cutting tools similar to those used in routers, but operates at much slower speeds.
CNC Routing Technology
CNC routing is incredibly versatile. It can be used in a wide variety of projects and most materials with fabrication done in combination with cutting technologies like those listed below to create the optimal CNC process for manufacturing your parts and prototypes.
-
Wire EDM Cutting
CNC Wire EDM is the process of cutting through the work piece with a fine, electrically charged metal wire, normally made of brass, while the piece is submerged in a tank of deionized water. The moving wire erodes any conductive material within .0005” of its course, while deionized water cools the cut and flushes debris away.
Since it has multiple axis movement capability, CNC Wire EDM can be programmed to cut very intricate and delicate shapes out of almost any electrically conductive material into complex shapes. Wire EDM machines can process hard metals like tungsten carbide, titanium, and cobalt chrome (MP35N and L605).
-
Waterjet Cutting
Waterjet machines cut almost any material, including metals and non-metals, using cold supersonic abrasive erosion. Abrasive garnet contained in the highly pressurized water stream etches away the material. Waterjet cutting creates an excellent edge with a fine, sand-blasted surface finish because of the garnet.
Waterjet cutting is very reliable and may be used for more valuable raw materials to prevent waste. Since lateral forces are negligible with a waterjet, holes can be positioned very near to the material edge.
-
CO2 Laser
The machine engraves and cuts acrylic, plastic, ABS, EPM, PE, PES, PUR, PVB, PVC, PUR, PMMA, PTFE and thin metals using a CO2 laser.
The beam does not make direct contact with the material it is cutting. Instead, it uses extreme heat to cause the material to melt, limiting the impact. CO2 lasers are very precise and often use less power than other machines.
-
Fiber Optic
A high-powered laser beam is fired through the optical path system to make cuts. The beam hits the surface of the workpiece to reach the melting point while high-pressured gas blows away excess material. It’s highly precise, fast, and can handle flexible cutting patterns.
A CNC router can cut virtually any material cleanly and efficiently using a variety of routing/cutting tools due to its wide capabilities. No matter the material or project you’re working with, there is most likely a CNC routing method that will work for it.
Once you understand which CNC routing strategy works well with different project requirements, you’ll be able to take advantage of the process to complete routing projects faster and more precisely. Contact us today about your CNC routing needs.
Prototek
215 Devcon Dr.
San Jose, CA 95112
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11341 Sunrise Park Dr.
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1100 W 120th Ave #100
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900 Cheyenne Ave.
Grafton, WI 53024
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10949 Blackhawk Dr
Blue Mounds, WI 53517
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Prototype Solutions Group a Prototek Company
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205 Pine St.
Contoocook, NH 03229
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244 Burnham Intervale Rd.
Contoocook, NH 03229
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ProtoCAM A Prototek Company
6620 Grant Way
Allentown, PA 18106
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a broker or a manufacturer?
We are a full service sheet metal and machining manufacturer with four U.S. production facilities across the nation allowing us to deliver your high-quality parts FAST.
Does PROTOTEK manufacture in higher-volume quantities?
We focus on prototypes to low-volume production and can do larger runs. All our parts, from one – to 100 – to 1,000+ are always delivered with production-quality finish.
What are your payment terms?
PROTOTEK offers Net 30 payment terms for established customers with good credit.
What file formats are required or suggested for requesting a quote?
We accept .STP, .DWG, .IGS, .PDF, Parasolid files, and more.
What if I need help with my part design?
Our estimators are on hand to discuss your specific job needs. Our expert team can help you move your project smoothly through the design process and on to delivery.
If I do not have a CAD model, can you quote/fabricate my parts?
Yes, we can work directly from your drawings. Additional engineering charge (NRC) may apply depending on complexity.
How do I submit my NDA and other document requests?
Submit your NDA, Approved Vendor and other document requests to your sales rep or estimator.
How long is a quote valid?
Our quotes stand firm for 7 days from the date of issue.
How fast can I get my order?
Lead time for standard orders is 10 business days. Expediting options are available, including emergency service – down to as fast as 1-2 business days, depending on complexity of work and materials.
