Micron-scale features
Holes, walls and slots from ~50 µm, machined where standard tooling can't reach.
What micromachining gives you
Tiny features, tight tolerances, burr-sensitive parts
Micromachining produces miniature parts and micro features — holes, walls, slots and details often well under a millimetre — that standard tooling simply can't reach.
At this scale the result is defined by burrs, edge quality and how well a tiny feature holds its size — not by the machine alone. The points opposite summarise what the process actually delivers.
Tight tolerances
Critical dimensions held to single microns — verified by metrology, not assumed.
Burr-sensitive geometry
Edges and exits controlled so tiny features stay clean, sharp and functional.
Thin walls & fine detail
Delicate walls and slender features machined with low cutting force.
Fine finishes
Sharp micro tools at high speed leave smooth surfaces on small features.
Common micro scenarios
Micro holes, nozzles, pins, electrodes and fine features on larger parts.
Selected work
Examples of micromachined parts
Concrete parts we've machined - each here for the micro feature that made it a micromachining job.
Micro Surgical Components
Miniature tips, sleeves and instrument components machined with fine profiles, small holes and controlled edge quality.
Precision Micro Nozzles
Small-bore nozzles and fluid components produced for controlled flow, spray and dispensing applications.
Miniature Connector Components
Compact pins, sleeves and connector components with small diameters, narrow slots and precise mating features.
Capability boundary
Is your part a fit for micromachining?
"Micro" means tiny parts, or tiny features on larger parts. What's achievable comes down to feature size, wall thickness and aspect ratio - and some geometries are genuinely better done another way.
| Material | Suitable Micro Features | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Small holes, slots, thin walls | Burr control, wall stability |
| Stainless Steel | Nozzles, pins, fine profiles | Tool wear, heat control |
| Copper | Electrodes, fine conductive features | Soft material, edge deformation |
| Titanium | Small precision features | Tool wear, cutting heat |
| Tool Steel | Fine cavities, mould inserts | Hardness, tool access |
Values are representative — your geometry and material set the real limits.
// Good fit for micromachining
Well suited when…
- Miniature parts, or micro features on larger parts, down to ~50 µm.
- Wall thickness, slot width and hole size at or above ~0.1 mm.
- Aspect ratios within roughly 10:1, where micro tools stay rigid.
- Tight tolerances and fine finishes that need verified measurement.
// Needs review, or another process
Talk to us first when…
- Ultra-deep micro holes or very high aspect ratios — often better by EDM or laser.
- Very fragile thin walls that may distort under any cutting force.
- Burr-sensitive edges that need feature-by-feature discussion.
- Sharp internal corners in hard metal — sinker or wire EDM may suit better.
Send your model and critical dimensions - we'll confirm what's machinable and flag anything better suited to EDM, laser or etching.
Risk control
How micro features are controlled.
Small precision parts and micro-scale features manufactured for applications requiring fine detail and controlled dimensions.
01
Burr management
Cutting strategy, tool path and edge prep are planned per feature so micro edges exit clean — with deburring suited to parts too small to handle by hand.
02
Tool wear & tool-life monitoring
Micro tools wear fast in hard metals; we track tool life and change on schedule, so the last feature holds size like the first.
03
Workholding for tiny parts
Custom fixturing and low-stress holding keep miniature parts located without distorting thin walls or fine features.
04
First-article confirmationFirst-article confirmation
The first part is fully measured and signed off before a batch runs, so micro features are proven before production.
Inspection & verification
Proving micro features are right
At micro scale, measurement is part of making the part. We verify features with optical and contact metrology rather than assumption.
| Inspection Item | Typical Method | What It Verifies |
|---|---|---|
| Small Holes & Bores | Optical measurement or suitable gauges | Diameter, position and edge condition |
| Thin Walls & Narrow Slots | Optical or contact metrology | Wall thickness, slot width and location |
| Critical Dimensions | CMM or precision measuring tools | Size, position and drawing requirements |
| Burrs & Edge Condition | Magnified visual inspection | Burrs, chips and edge quality |
| Surface Finish | Profilometer or agreed visual standard | Roughness or specified surface condition |
| Material Traceability | Certificate review or material verification where required | Material grade and batch records |
Tell us which features are critical and we'll measure and report them specifically. More on our quality assurance page.
FROM OUR BLOG
Manufacturing Insights
Practical insights into CNC machining — cost, design for manufacturing, material choice, tolerances and finishing. Written by the engineers who actually run the parts, to help you design smarter and quote with confidence.
What “tight tolerance” really costs
Why a single blanket tolerance is the wrong way to spec a part, and how confirming critical dimensions at DFM keeps quality high and cost sensible....
Common questions
Micromachining FAQs
What counts as micromachining?
Producing miniature parts, or micro features on larger parts — fine holes, walls, slots and details measured in microns, using high-speed spindles and micro tooling that standard CNC can't reach.
How small can features go?
Holes, walls and slots from around 50 μm are achievable with the right material and tooling — as a general guide, minimum wall thickness runs 50–100 μm for metals, with aspect ratios up to roughly 5:1–10:1 for holes and slots before we need to review the geometry more closely.
What tolerances are realistic?
Critical dimensions are held to single microns, verified by metrology, not assumed. Realistic tolerance depends heavily on material, feature depth and how the part will be inspected after machining — send your drawing and we'll confirm what's achievable rather than quoting a blanket number.
How are burrs handled?
Cutting strategy, tool path and edge prep are planned per feature — with deburring suited to parts too small to handle by hand. Burr-sensitive edges are identified upfront since a burr that's negligible on a large part can block flow or interfere with fit on a micro feature.
Which materials are common — and which are tricky?
Aluminium, stainless steel, copper and titanium are all machined regularly at micro scale, each with different considerations — copper's softness can cause edge deformation, titanium generates more cutting heat and tool wear, and tool steel's hardness limits tool access on the smallest features.
Should my part use micro milling/turning, or Swiss machining/EDM/laser instead?
Micro milling and turning suit most metal features down to about 50 μm. For long, slender turned parts with tight tolerances, Swiss machining offers better rigidity and reduced deflection. Ultra-deep micro holes, very high aspect ratio features, or sharp internal corners in hard metal are often better suited to sinker/wire EDM or laser micromachining instead. Send your model and critical dimensions and we'll confirm the best approach.
What files and information do you need for a quote?
A 3D model (STEP / IGES) and a 2D drawing with critical dimensions, tolerance priorities, material grade, edge/burr and finish expectations, inspection focus and target quantity. A sketch is enough to start the conversation.