Machine shop guide
What is a machine shop?
A machine shop makes, modifies, or repairs parts by removing material with controlled tools. Some shops focus on one-off repair work; others produce tightly documented batches for industrial customers.
What a machine shop can do
Typical work includes milling flat or contoured features, turning round parts on a lathe, drilling holes, grinding surfaces, and inspecting finished dimensions. A shop may also coordinate fabrication, welding, heat treatment, or finishing.
- Create a new part from a drawing or digital model
- Reproduce a damaged or unavailable component
- Modify an existing part to fit a new assembly
- Produce prototypes, short runs, or repeat production
Manual and CNC machining
Manual machines depend on an operator to position and feed the cutting tool. CNC machines follow programmed toolpaths and can repeat complex operations efficiently. The right method depends on geometry, quantity, tolerance, material, and setup cost rather than on one method always being better.
What to send a shop
Share a dimensioned drawing when possible. Include material, quantity, critical tolerances, surface-finish requirements, inspection needs, and the date parts are required. Mark requirements that are flexible so the shop can suggest a more economical approach.
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