CNC Machining Services

CNC Machining St Louis
Quick Prototypes & Production Runs

Conveniently located just outside St Louis, Schantz Machine & Fabrication is a full service machine shop servicing the metro area and nationwide. SMF can mill simple 3 axis parts to complex geometry requiring 5 axis capability. Our lathes are Y-axis equipped to efficiently produce parts with off-center features. Complying with ISO 9001:2015 standards the team at SMF can guaranty the quality of you CNC parts.  

SMF is a Full Service CNC Machine Shop that Offers both CNC Milling and Turning.

3, 4 and 5 Axis Milling

Our team’s CNC milling process creates custom prototypes and production parts from many types of metals and plastic. We use 3, 4 and 5-axis milling centers to produce parts with varying types of features and dimensions.

Lathe Machining a Part

CNC Turning with Milling (Y Axis)

Our CNC turning process provides efficient production of both custom prototypes and end-use parts. We utilize CNC lathes featuring live tooling and “Y” axis to complete parts that include axial and radial holes, flats, grooves, and slots.

CNC Machine Processing a Part

Examples of Our CNC Machine Shop Parts

This gallery represents a variety of custom parts produced by our cnc machining services.   

SMF Common CNC Machine Shop Materials

Schantz Machine & Fabrication offers an wide range of materials to satisfy your prototype and production needs.

Metal CNC Machining Materials

2011 – free machining, used for connectors, fittings, and computer parts.

2024 – Considered “aircraft” aluminum, good for rolled threads and hydraulic valve bodys.

6061 – Good weldability, considered a “general” alloy its good for most all structural type parts.

6063 – Also good weldability, but not as strong as 6061 

7075 – noted as the strongest and hardest alloy, good for high strength parts, preferred by the aircraft industry. 

260 – known as cartridge brass or yellow brass, used for ammunition, engraving, and decorative furniture parts.

360 – utilized in general screw machine applications, typical applications include: plumbing products, fittings, adapters, valve stems.

932 – high leaded, known as bearing bronze because it is often an ideal choice for bearing applications.

954 – aluminum family of bronze, good for gears, bushings and wear strips and plates.

110 – high electrical conductivity, used in electrical components.

145 – Typical applications include, electrical connectors, motor parts, plumbing fittings, and torch tips.

303 – easily machinable with good corrosion resistance, used for shafts, gears, aircraft parts.

304 – Superior corrosion resistance, weldable, used in food processing equipment, springs, and kitchen equipment.

316 – used in parts that require resistance to  chemical corrodents, and marine applications.

410 – not recommended for applications in which severe corrosion is encountered, can be hardened for high strength parts.

416 – is a free machining stainless good for high temp parts like pump parts, shafts, studs and gears.

420 – contains more carbon for improved strength and toughness, good for high wear parts like bearings, shear blades, and surgical instruments. 

440C – with more carbon than 420, 440C is good for parts like knife blades and chisels.

A-36 – excellent for welding and forming, used for machinery parts, frames, and structures. 

1018 – easy to form, weld and machine, good for basic steel parts.

1045 – stronger than 1018, not good for welding, but machines to a nicer finish than 1018. Good for shafts, axles, and crankshafts. 

1117 – a low carbon, high manganese steel, good for case hardening and parts that need carburizing treatments.

12L14 – low friction for machinability which produces an excellent finish, used in screw machine parts like bushings and couplings. 

Grade 2 – moderate strength, used a lot in power generation for parts like shrouds and covers.

Grade 5 (Ti 6Al-4V) – the most popular grade of Titanium and used in the aerospace industry for engine parts and also for parts like sports equipment and biomedical parts.

SMF can source and provide other types of material grades not listed here. Please ask a SMF representative for help with material selection along with your custom CNC  machining service.

Plastic CNC Machining Materials

Acetal plastics provide a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties. Available in several variations, 1 of which with a trade name of Delrin.  

Acrylic is completely transparent and good for glass replacement applications. Its also impact resistant, lightweight, weather resistant and heat resistant.

 

 

 

 

 

ABS, is a low cost plastic that machines easy. It is an ideal material for applications when low cost, strength, and stiffness are required. It can be painted and glued which is why it is widely used for prototype work.

is a formable almost clear plastic used widely in the packaging industry.  Also used in indoor signs and displays. Comparable to polycarbonate but with lower cost. 

Popular cutting board material HDPE is easy to machine, impact resistant and resists abrasion. Used for parts like cams, shims, and bushings.

Offered in several different variants, Nylon is one of the most widely used thermoplastics. Its FDA, USDA, NSF, 3-A Dairy Compliant, which makes a good choice for general machined parts in these industries.

 

The UHMW family, also known as high-performance polyethylene, has the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made. It has a very low coefficient of friction and is self lubricating. It also machines well and is available in many variants making it good for parts in many different industries.

With to many plastics to list here, SMF can source and provide many other types of materials. Please ask a SMF representative for help with your material requirements.

Why Use Schantz Machine & Fabrication's CNC Machining Services?

Unlike larger industrial sourcing marketplaces, such as Xometry, Protolabs, and Hubs.com, Schantz Machine & Fabrication brings a personalized touch to its CNC machining services. While these larger players may present a wide array of services, the personalized attention, flexibility, and genuine understanding of specialized needs can only be associated with a company like SMF.

Added Benefits Include

Blue tool holder 1
Blue tool holder 1
Blue tool holder 1

Utilizes DFM (Design for Manufacturing)

Design for manufacturing (DFM) is a process for designing products that can be manufactured more easily and efficiently. For CNC machined parts, the main objective of DFM is to reduce manufacturability issues so that the part can be machined quicker and with commonly available cutting tools, thus lowering the part’s overall cost.

High Quality

At Schantz Machine & Fabrication, quality is very important to us. We not only aim to give our customers high-quality components, but we also set high standards for ourselves in terms of efficiency and precision. Therefore, our shop not only meets, but exceeds the expectations of our clients.

Outsourced Services

SMF has a robust list of trusted and vetted metal platers and finishers both locally and nationwide. We understand that once the parts are machined perfectly, they are still not complete until they have that perfect flawless finish.

So, whether you have a low-volume CNC machining project or need to fill an RFQ for thousands of parts, SMF has the resources and expertise to complete your parts on time and within budget.

Lathe Parts

These parts are a representation of a typical Y-Axis lathe part. The holes in the outer flange are cut by live tooling utilizing the Y-Axis. 

Table Full of CNC Parts

3-Axis Mill Part

Even though this part looks fairly complicated a 3-Axis mill with a simple 2nd operation fixture is all that’s required to fully machine it.

Single 3 Axis CNC Mill Part

Low Volume CNC Machining

Schantz Machine & Fabrication can help you with your low volume part needs.

How Can We Help You Today?

From initial design, to prototypes and full production,

you can count on us to deliver quality parts,

on time and on budget!