Are your engineering support services the same as design for manufacturability services?

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is one important part of manufacturing engineering support, but it is not the entire process. DFM focuses on evaluating a component’s design to improve manufacturability, reduce production costs, and improve quality before production begins. Manufacturing engineering support includes DFM along with process planning, tooling and fixture design, CNC programming, inspection planning, prototype support, and ongoing production optimization. At PTD, our engineering team incorporates DFM principles throughout the manufacturing planning process to help customers achieve efficient, repeatable production.

Does PTD design custom tools to support manufacturing processes?

Yes. Our team is able to custom design the tools needed to manufacture your components on our milling and turning equipment. This capability helps ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency – using the right tool for your part’s design and tolerance requirements. Whether we are selecting existing tooling or producing a tool specific to your part’s requirements and long-term production needs, we work to ensure your tooling, fixturing, and production processes achieve consistent, high-quality results.

What size parts does PTD provide manufacturing engineering support services for?

At PTD, we can provide engineering support to facilitate manufacturing across our full range CNC milling and turning equipment – our capacity for milled parts is up to 80” long x 41” wide x 31” tall (2032mm long x 1040mm wide x 787mm tall), and for turned parts up to 36” in diameter (914mm in diameter).

What industries do you provide manufacturing and engineering support services for?

PTD specializes in production metal formed components with high-tolerance requirements, which allows us to serve a variety of demanding industries with critical and strict compliance needs. Many of our customers’ parts are used in aerospace, defense, military, marine, energy, and oil & gas applications, as well as commercial applications including heavy equipment, automation, transportation, and more.

Do you have a minimum order volume in order to provide engineering support services?

No, our production and engineering support services are provided based on customer needs and a project’s requirements. Our engineering recommendations are tailored to your expected production volume, helping optimize tooling, machining strategies, material usage, repeatability, and overall production efficiency – we can provide engineering support for a single prototype up to high-volume, recurring milled and turned part orders.

What materials does PTD provide manufacturing and engineering support services for?

PTD regularly evaluates components that are produced using a range of metal types, including stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, brass, Inconel, magnesium, titanium, and AR 500.

Precision Turning

Precision CNC Turning Services

CNC turning utilizes computerized controls to precisely remove material from a rotating workpiece by regulating cutting tool speed, tool path, and material feed rates to produce highly precise parts. It is ideal for aerospace, defense, oil and gas, and other mission critical commercial applications that require extremely high levels of accuracy.

At Parts Tool & Die (PTD), our precision CNC turning capabilities are built for OEMs and engineers who need accuracy, repeatability, and dependable lead times, even for their most challenging components. With decades of experience serving the aerospace, defense, oil & gas, industrial, and commercial sectors, we specialize in turning mid-to-high complexity parts in low-to-high volumes.

Whether your project calls for ultra-tight tolerances, exotic materials, or large diameter CNC turning, as an AS9100, ITAR and ISO 9001 certified company, we deliver parts that meet the highest quality standards while keeping your project on schedule and on budget.

From CNC lathe operations for high-precision small components to vertical lathe machining for large-format parts, our skilled machinists and advanced equipment make the impossible possible. And because we view every project as a partnership, our engineering-minded team works alongside yours to optimize manufacturability, cost, and performance.

Expertise for Your CNC Turned Components: Our Precision CNC Turning at a Glance

Horizontal and vertical turning capabilities
State-the-art equipment supporting up to 7-axis CNC turning
Expertise and equipment for a range of parts – from small parts with complex geometries to large diameter components
Manufacturing of prototypes, small and mid-to-large volumes using metals, plastics and composites
Experience providing CNC turning for defense, aerospace, oil & gas, and a variety of mission critical applications
In-house engineering and DFM support
Size ranges from <1-inches to 36” in diameter (<25mm to 914mm in diameter)
AS9001, ITAR and ISO certified processes

Precision CNC Turning Equipment List

Our turning department is equipped with an extensive range of CNC lathes and vertical lathes, allowing us to machine components from small, intricate geometries up to heavy-duty, large-diameter workpieces. With multi-axis capabilities, high-pressure coolant systems, and live tooling, we deliver complex turned parts with speed and precision. Explore a selection of our high precision CNC machining equipment:

OKUMA LU7000 EX

1 of 2 in the Northeast
2 turret – 7 axis
24” Inch Chuck
78” Length capacity
C + Y axis

DOOSAN PUMA GT2600M (3)

FANUC control
One spindle, one turret
Main spindle 10” chuck, thru hole 3 ¼”
C-axis
Live tool 5,000 RPM
Chiller
High-pressure coolant
Live center

OKUMA LB 3000EXII

Okuma control
Twin spindle, one turret
Main spindle 10” chuck, thru hole 3 ¼”
Bar feeder (up to 4ft in length)
Sub spindle 6” chuck
C-axis
Y-axis
Main turret and live tool 6,000 RPM
High-pressure coolant
Internal temperature regulator

DOOSAN LYNX 220LMA (2)

FANUC control
6” chuck
16C collet
Live tool 5,000 RPM
20.7” maximum work length
20 HP with 4,000 RPM
C-axis
Coolant through
2" through spindle
Live center

DOOSAN LYNX 220LC

FANUC control
8” chuck
16C collet
20.7” maximum work length
20 HP with 4,000 RPM
Coolant through
2" through spindle
Live center

DOOSAN LYNX 300M

FANUC control
One spindle, one turret
Main spindle 10” chuck, thru hole 3 ¼”
C-axis
Main spindle 4,000 RPM
Live tool 5,000 RPM
Coolant through
High-pressure coolant
Coolant Chiller
Live center

OKUMA LB 45III

Okuma control
18” chuck
4” through spindle
1,500 Max RPM
Live center
Turret 1 ½” OD holders, 2 ½” ID holders
High-pressure pump
Internal thermal regulator

PUMA 400B

FANUC control
18” chuck
4” through spindle
1,500 Max RPM
Live center
Turret 1 ½” OD holders, 2 ½” ID holders

VT900

FANUC control
36” chuck vertical turret lathe
35.4” maximum cutting diameter
Maximum work length 33.46”
60 HP with 2 speed gearbox
1,000 Max RPM

Material and Finishing Selection

Every application demands the right material and finish. Our turning team is experienced in machining a wide range of metals and plastics, delivering precise results while preserving material integrity. We also provide finishing services to meet your functional and cosmetic requirements.

Materials we machine include:

With our tight tolerance CNC turning capabilities, we ensure your components meet material and dimensional requirements from raw stock through final machining and finishing operations. We’re ready to partner with your team to deliver repeatable compliance – part after part.

Explore some of the materials we use to manufacture CNC turned parts.

Why OEMS Choose PTD for Precision CNC Turning

Parts Tool & Die is more than just a supplier; we’re an extension of your team. OEMs choose us because we combine advanced machining capabilities with a true partnership approach. We keep you informed with consistent project updates, standing production meetings, and full transparency into schedules and inventory.

From high-precision CNC lathe machining to large diameter, high-volume CNC turning for aerospace and defense components, our processes are designed for speed to market without compromising on quality. We operate with:

AS9100:2016 certification
ISO 9001:2015 certification
ITAR compliance
Advanced inspection equipment and quality processes
Part documentation and reporting capabilities

With a proactive engineering mindset, we bring the experience of one of North America’s leading CNC turned parts suppliers to every project. We’re ready to bring your designs to life – in the air, in space, underwater, and everywhere in between.

Request a quote today, and discover the PTD difference.

Learn more about our complete  capabilities and how our extensive machining expertise including precision CNC milling, CNC turning, manufacturing engineering, and more can optimize your project.

How to Choose a Supplier for Precision CNC Turning Supplier

Partnering with a new precision CNC turned parts supplier means more than finding the right machinery – it’s about working with a partner that can deliver consistently, accurately and reliably. While many shops offer turning services, fewer are equipped to meet the demands of tight-tolerance, mission-critical applications across aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial markets.

When evaluating a supplier, consider their strength in the following areas:

Precision Expertise – A strong understanding of turning geometry – including tight concentricity control, long-length stability, and consistent finishes across shafts, housings, fittings, and threaded parts.
Certified Quality – In-place, proven quality systems certified by third-party organizations, such as ISO 9001:2015, AS9100:2016 for aerospace application, and ITAR compliance for defense programs.
Advanced Equipment – CNC turning capabilities that extend beyond basic lathes, including multi-axis turning centers with live tooling, as well as vertical and horizontal turning systems capable of producing both small precision components and large-diameter parts.

Engineering Support – Design for manufacturability (DFM) expertise that helps refine tolerances, simplify setups, and reduce machining time - especially for complex turned parts with multiple features.
Verifiable Compliance  – In-process probing, CMM inspection, and optical measurement systems to maintain dimensional accuracy - not just at final inspection, but across the machining process.
Part Traceability – the ability to track part details including raw materials, production processes, and equipment used to ensure accountability and compliance – which is especially important for highly-regulated applications, such as DoD and aerospace CNC turning.

PTD brings these capabilities together to support customers from prototype through production, delivering precision CNC turned components manufactured for performance and reliability. Contact us to discuss your application and requirements.

Contact Our Experienced Team for Your Precision CNC Turning Needs

If you are ready to start your next CNC turning project, reach out to the experts at Parts Tool & Die to discuss your specifications and see how we can make your most complex parts possible.

Partner with a CNC turned part manufacturer trusted by some of the world’s largest OEMs for your next project.

Contact Us

Precision CNC Turning FAQs

What is precision CNC turning?

Precision CNC turning is a machining process that uses computer-controlled cutting tools to remove material from a rotating workpiece and create components with accurate dimensions and specified features. It is commonly used to manufacture shafts, housings, fittings, and other cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical parts. Precision CNC turning is particularly valuable for applications that require tight tolerances, repeatability, and consistent part quality.

What is the difference between CNC turning and CNC milling?

CNC turning typically rotates the workpiece while a cutting tool removes material, making it well suited for cylindrical features, diameters, bores, and rotational components. CNC milling generally uses rotating cutting tools to remove material from a stationary or positioned workpiece, making it suitable for flats, pockets, slots, and other complex features. Some components require both processes to achieve their complete geometry, and PTD provides both CNC turning and milling capabilities.

Does PTD provide CNC turning services to OEMs?

Yes, PTD is an experienced contract manufacturer supplying precision-turned components for many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their products and assemblies. Located in New England’s aerospace manufacturing region, PTD serves aircraft engine manufacturers, helicopter and airplane manufacturers, Department of Defense suppliers, as well as other OEMs in mission critical industries. Our experience with these organizations helps us understand demanding quality and production requirements, and adapt our manufacturing processes to meet customer-specific needs.

What aerospace and aircraft engine parts does PTD manufacture using CNC turning services?

PTD turns a variety of precision aerospace components including turbine and compressor shafts, bushings, spacers, sleeves, hydraulic valve components, fuel system parts, landing gear pins, and aerospace fasteners. These components often require tight dimensional tolerances, consistent quality, and materials capable of meeting demanding operating condition requirements. Our team works with customers on their custom components, developing production solutions tailored to their part and application requirements.

Can PTD support both prototype and production CNC turning?

Yes. PTD provides flexible CNC turning capabilities that support prototype development, initial production runs, and ongoing manufacturing as demand grows. This ability helps customers move from part development into production while accounting for manufacturability, quality, and scheduling requirements.

What part sizes can PTD accommodate with its CNC turning capabilities?

PTD’s precision turning capabilities support components ranging from small, intricate parts to large-diameter workpieces. PTD can turn parts that are less than 1 inch up to 36 inches in diameter, using horizontal and vertical turning equipment to accommodate different component configurations. Part size and machining feasibility are evaluated based on the specific geometry and project requirements.

Does PTD provide secondary machining and finishing services for turned components?

Yes. PTD offers additional machining and value-added services to support component requirements beyond the initial turning operation. Depending on the project, these services can include additional CNC machining, deburring, finishing, bushing installation, and other value-added operations. Discussing these requirements with PTD early in the project helps determine the appropriate manufacturing approach for the completed component.

What information is needed to request a precision CNC turning quote?

To request a precision CNC turning quote, provide as much of the following information as possible:
– A part drawing or CAD model, including dimensions and tolerances.
– Material specifications and any required certifications.
– Required quantities, including prototype, initial production, and anticipated recurring volumes.
– Surface finish, secondary machining, and finishing requirements.
– Quality, inspection, documentation, and traceability requirements.
– Target delivery dates and any relevant program or production schedule.

Providing complete specifications helps PTD evaluate the project’s machining requirements, manufacturability, pricing, and expected lead time

What certifications does PTD hold for manufacturing CNC-turned parts?

PTD maintains an AS9100:2016-certified and ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system supporting its manufacturing of precision components for aerospace, defense, and other demanding industries. PTD is also ITAR compliant, supporting applicable defense-related manufacturing and regulatory requirements. Its quality processes include calibrated inspection equipment, dimensional verification, and documentation to help ensure CNC-turned components meet customer specifications and applicable requirements.

How does PTD support quality and consistency in high-volume CNC turning?

PTD combines advanced CNC turning equipment, manufacturing engineering support, and quality assurance processes to help maintain dimensional accuracy and repeatability across production runs. Its inspection capabilities and documented quality systems support verification of components against customer specifications. PTD works with customers to establish manufacturing and inspection requirements appropriate to their applications and production needs.