File requirements, tolerances, and design rules for every process we offer. Follow these and your parts will match your model — guaranteed.
Preferred for laser cutting, waterjet, and CNC bending. Export one layer per feature type.
Required for all CNC machining jobs. Includes full 3D geometry, holes, and pockets.
For general reference only. Always supply a DXF or STEP as the primary file — we cannot quote from PDF alone.
| Process | Standard Tolerance | Min Feature | Max Sheet / Part | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | ±0.1 mm | 0.8 mm hole dia | 1,500 × 3,000 mm | Kerf ~0.2mm, accounted in quote |
| Waterjet Cutting | ±0.15 mm | 1.5 mm hole dia | 2,000 × 4,000 mm | No HAZ; ideal for hardened steel |
| CNC Machining (3-axis) | ±0.025 mm | 0.5 mm end mill | 500 × 400 × 300 mm | Tighter tolerances available — quote individually |
| CNC Bending | ±0.5° angle | Bend radius = 1× thickness | 3,200 mm bend length | Allow bend deduction in flat pattern |
| Powder Coating | 60–100 μm | — | 1,800 × 900 mm | Mask critical surfaces in DXF |
| Anodizing (Type II) | 7–10 μm | — | 900 × 600 mm | Account for build-up on bore fits |
| Anodizing (Type III) | 25–50 μm | — | 600 × 400 mm | Hardcoat — tight bores need pre-machining |
Holes must be at least equal to the material thickness in diameter. Smaller features may not cut cleanly and risk tab-out.
Min: 1× material thicknessKeep at least 2mm between any cut feature and the part edge, and 3mm between adjacent cutouts, to prevent distortion.
Min: 2mm from edge · 3mm between cutsThin material bridges between features must be at least 2× the material thickness to survive cutting without warping.
Min: 2× material thicknessMinimum text height is 5mm for engraving; 3mm for full cutout lettering in fonts with open counters (avoid closed counters at small sizes).
Min engraving height: 5mmParts under 50mm in any dimension are automatically tabbed in production. We break tabs and clean edges before shipping.
Auto-tabbed under 50mmInterior corners can be perfectly sharp. Exterior corners can be sharp or radiused — your choice. Avoid acute interior angles under 15°.
No restriction on exterior cornersWe can machine holes from 0.5mm diameter. Specify depth-to-diameter ratio — avoid blind holes deeper than 6× diameter.
Min: 0.5mm dia · Max depth 6×DAll milled inside pockets have a minimum corner radius equal to the end-mill radius used. Design pockets with r ≥ 1mm unless a sharp corner is essential.
Min inside radius: 1mmSpecify thread standard, size, and depth in your drawing. We machine M2–M24 metric threads and custom inch threads. Minimum thread engagement: 1.5× diameter.
M2–M24 standard rangeMinimum wall thickness 0.5mm for aluminium, 0.8mm for steel. Thin walls cause chatter and deflection — consult us for designs under 1mm.
Min wall: 0.5mm Al · 0.8mm steel3-axis machining cannot reach undercuts. Design parts to avoid undercuts, or contact us for 4-axis quoting on parts that require them.
Undercuts require 4-axis — quote individuallyDefault tolerance is ±0.025mm. Tighter tolerances (±0.005mm) are available at a premium — annotate these in your drawing and mention at order time.
Default ±0.025mm · Tight ±0.005mmThe minimum bent flange must be at least 3× the material thickness to allow the press brake to grip without marking the part surface.
Min flange: 3× material thicknessStandard inside bend radius is 1× material thickness. Tighter radii cause cracking on high-tensile materials. Use our K-factor table for flat-pattern calculations.
Standard: 1× thickness inside radiusKeep holes and slots at least (2× thickness + bend radius) away from any bend line to prevent distortion during bending.
Min: 2T + R from bend lineAdd relief cuts at the end of each bend line where it meets another edge. Minimum relief width = material thickness, depth ≥ bend radius.
Relief: width = T · depth ≥ RMinimum hole diameter is 1.5mm due to the garnet jet kerf width. For holes near minimum size, account for slight taper with very thick material.
Min: 1.5mm hole diameterWaterjet kerf is approximately 0.8–1.2mm depending on material. Our pricing engine adds kerf compensation automatically.
Kerf: ~0.8–1.2mm (auto-compensated)All waterjet cuts have a slight taper angle (0.1–1°) on the cut face, increasing with material thickness. Specify "taper down" or "taper up" for precision fits.
Taper: 0.1–1° increasing with thicknessWe cut up to 150mm in mild steel, 100mm in aluminium, and 80mm in stainless steel. Harder materials reduce max thickness.
Max: 150mm MS · 100mm Al · 80mm SSOur system checks your DXF automatically and flags any issues before you order.