CNC machining guides

The questions people actually ask before they call a CNC shop — answered in plain English, with real Irish numbers.

How much does CNC machining cost in Ireland?

Real 2026 price ranges, the six things on every quote, a worked cost example, and how to get a cheaper quote without cutting corners.

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CNC milling vs CNC turning

Which process fits your part. Round and symmetric goes to turning; flat and complex goes to milling. The decision tree and what it means for cost.

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Materials guide

Aluminium 6061 vs 7075. Stainless 304 vs 316. Steel and engineering plastics — Acetal, PEEK, PTFE. Cost, machinability and use-cases compared.

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CNC machining vs 3D printing

When machining beats printing, when printing wins, a side-by-side comparison, and why smart teams prototype with print then machine to ship.

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5-axis CNC machining explained

What 5-axis means, 3+2 vs full simultaneous, the real cost trade-off, and when your part actually needs it.

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Tolerances & surface finishes

Standard vs tight vs precision tolerances and what each costs, plus anodising, bead blasting, powder coating, passivation and plating.

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Prepare a CAD file for CNC

STEP vs DXF vs IGES. Tolerances that matter and ones that just inflate price. The export checklist before you send.

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How to choose a CNC shop

A six-point checklist: capability, tolerances, certification, lead time, communication and pricing — plus red flags and a scorecard.

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CNC for startups — cost breakdown

What a 10-part prototype run actually costs in Ireland. Setup vs per-unit, and why your second batch is dearer than you think.

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Get a single quote, sent to multiple Irish shops

Tell us about your part once. We forward to the relevant Irish suppliers and you get competing quotes back. No paywall, no signup, no hidden lead resale.

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