Question 1

What is micro machining?

Accepted Answer

Micro machining is CNC milling or turning of very small parts and micro-scale features, like sub-millimeter holes, thin walls, and fine details, using miniature tooling on machines built for high precision and rigidity at small scale.

Question 2

What is the smallest feature you can machine?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tooling and the shop, but micro machining commonly reaches feature sizes down to a few hundredths of a millimeter. Give the shop your smallest critical feature and they will confirm what their tooling can hold.

Question 3

What materials can be micro machined?

Accepted Answer

Most machinable materials scale down to micro sizes, including metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, engineering plastics, and some ceramics. Brittle materials need extra care at very small feature sizes to avoid chipping.

Question 4

Micro machining vs Swiss machining vs micro-EDM?

Accepted Answer

Micro machining covers small-scale milled and turned features generally. Swiss machining is a specific turning process for small, slender, round parts run in volume. Micro-EDM uses spark erosion instead of cutting force, so it reaches fine features in hardened or hard-to-cut metal that a cutting tool cannot. The best fit depends on the part geometry, material, and volume.

Design rule	Typical spec	Why
Minimum feature size	to ~0.05-0.1 mm	Limited by the smallest tooling a shop can run without breaking it.
Micro tolerance	to ~+/-0.005 mm	Held with temperature-controlled machines and fine measurement.
Minimum hole diameter	to ~0.1 mm	Micro drills this small need slow feeds and frequent tool changes.
Depth-to-diameter for tiny tools	roughly 5-10x	Beyond this ratio, tiny tools deflect or snap under load.
Materials	metals, engineering plastics, ceramics	Most machinable materials scale down; brittle ceramics need extra care at small sizes.

Process	Best for	Typical volume	Choose it over Micro Machining when
Swiss Machining	Small slender turned parts in volume	Production	The part is a round turned part needed in higher quantities.
EDM & Wire EDM	Micro features in hard metal	Prototype to production	The material is hardened or the feature needs no cutting force at all.
Laser Cutting	Micro features in thin sheet and film	Prototype to production	The part is flat sheet or film rather than a 3D machined feature.

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