CNC machining low volume manufacturing or small batch manufacturing is the process of producing small batches using computer numerical control (CNC) machines.

Why Choose Low Volume Manufacturing?

When the development of new products are in the testing stage, 1-2 samples are not enough to test, and can not meet the conditions of mold opening, or the number of products customized itself is not much, customers often choose precision CNC machining of small quantities. During new product development, small batch production can shorten the R&D and production cycle, and do FMEA to predict the risk before mass production, which is conducive to test market sales, and can also quickly adapt to changes in customer orders and market demand, to achieve inventory minimisation and production system flexibility.

What Are The Advantages & Features of CNC Low Volume Manufacturing?
1.High precision
Products of CNC machining low volume manufacturing with a high precision of +/-0.01mm, finish up to Ra1.6, suitable for oxidation, sandblasting, painting and powder coating, electroplating, polishing, silkscreen, laser engraving and other surface treatment.
2.High flexibility
CNC small batch production is highly flexible and can respond quickly to market changes and customer needs, especially suitable for customised products and prototype development.
3.No MOQ
CNC machining is flexible for the quantity, 1~1000 pieces can be processed, we have various types of CNC machining machines (3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis, imported machines) to meet the customer's customised product needs.
4.Rich selection of materials
A wide range of materials can be CNC machined, including metal and plastic materials. Commonly customized materials for small batch production are: aluminium alloy, stainless steel, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, zinc alloy, nickel alloy, copper, steel and so on.
5.Higher production time and cost
Small batch manufacturing usually involves more model changeovers and programme setups, which increases production lead time and results in lower productivity. Higher unit costs due to lower production quantities and fixed costs such as depreciation of equipment and maintenance costs that cannot be spread effectively.

Applications for CNC Low Volume Manufacturing
1.Customized products
For parts or products that need to be customized, CNC small batch manufacturing allows for a quick response to customer needs.
2.Prototyping
During the product development phase, CNC low volume manufacturing allows for rapid prototyping to help designers validate designs and make adjustments.
3.Small batch production
For products that are not in high demand, CNC low volume manufacturing can provide flexible production methods and reduce costs.
In short, small batch manufacutirng is suitable for customized products, R&D trials, medical devices and other areas where uniqueness and flexibility are important.

Matters Needing Attention for CNC Low Volume Manufacturing
1.CNC machining of small batches has two main purposes, one is the product itself has a low demand for customization. The other is the small batch trial production before large-scale production, which can avoid economic losses in large-scale production due to flow design errors and product design problems. Regardless of the type of product you have, it is important to choose the right manufacturer and determine the number of units to be produced in advance before producing small batches.
2.In addition, it is equally important to pay attention to the quality of the product. Generally, these pre-produced products are not put on the market, but are mainly used as trial products to examine whether the actual production matches the design expectations. If the difference is relatively large, it is necessary to make changes to the original design or even overturn the whole design and re-plan it. Therefore, in the small batch trial production must not try to save trouble, the use of materials are best in the actual production will be used.

In summary, CNC low volume manufacturing or small batch manufacturing offers significant advantages in terms of customised products, prototyping and production of small quantities, but there are challenges in terms of cost control and production efficiency.