On-demand CNC machining for rapid prototyping and production parts, through a network of specialized, experienced and thoroughly vetted local and global CNC machine shops.
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Coming soon! We’re changing our name to Protolabs Network. Find out more
CNC machine all types of parts, from simple “as machined” workholdings to complex geometries. Our manufacturers operate almost every kind of CNC mill and turning center, with EDM and grinders available on request. We offer tolerances down to 0.05 mm (0.0020 in) and lead times from 5 business days.
Access over 1,000 milling centers, including standard 3-axis mills, indexed 3+2-axis mills & fully-continuous 5-axis mills
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Access over 300 turning centers, including Swiss lathes and multi-axis mill turns.
Learn moreHere’s a small selection of the CNC machined prototypes and end-use parts we’ve produced for our customers.
We can generate instant machining quotes for 50+ metals and plastics.
Aluminum 6082-T6 | 3.2315 | 64430 | AlSi1MgMn Aluminum 7075-T7351 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu Aluminum 6061-T651 | 3.3211 | 65028 | AlMg1SiCu Aluminum 7075-T651 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu Aluminum 6082-T651 | 3.2315 | 64430 | AlSi1MgMn Aluminum 6060 | 3.3206 | AlMgSi Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5 Aluminum 2017A | 3.1325 | 24530 | AlCu4MgSi Aluminum 2014 | 3.1255 | 24345 | AlCu4SiMg Aluminum 6063 | EN AW-6063 | 62400| AlMg0,7Si Aluminum 7050 | EN AW-7050 | 3.4144| AlZn6CuMgZr Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1 Aluminum MIC6 Aluminum 7075-T6 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5,5MgCu Aluminum 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | 54300| AlMg4.5Mn0.7 Aluminum 6082 | 3.2315 | 64430| AlSi1MgMn Aluminum 6061-T6 | 3.3211 | 65028 | AlMg1SiCu Show all alloys
Stainless steel 416 | 1.4005 | X12CrS13 Stainless steel 15-5 | 1.4545 | X5CrNiCu15-5 Stainless steel 301 | 1.4310 | X10CrNi18-8 Stainless steel 430 | 1.4016 | X6Cr17 Stainless steel 440C | 1.4125 | X105CrMo17 Stainless steel 420 | 1.4028 | X30Cr13 Stainless steel 304/304L | 1.4301/1.4307 | X5CrNi18-10/X2CrNi18-9 Stainless steel 2205 Duplex | 1.4462 | 2205 | X2CrNiMoN 22-5-3 Stainless steel 17-4 PH | 1.4542 | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 - Annealed state Stainless steel 303 | 1.4305 | X8CrNiS18-9 Stainless steel 316/316L | 1.4401/1.4404 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2/X2CrNiMo17-12-2 Show all alloys
Mild steel S275JR | 1.0044 | Fe430B | IS2062 Mild Steel S235JR | 1.0038 | Fe 360 B Carbon steel C45 | 1.0503 | 1045 | EN8 Mild steel S355J2 | 1.0577 | 1522H | Fe 510 D Mild steel 1045 | 1.0503 | C45 | EN8 Mild steel A36 | 1.025 | Fe 410 Mild steel 1018 | 1.1147 | C18 |16Mn Show all alloys
Brass Cz121 | C38500 | 2.0401 | CuZn39Pb3 Brass C360 | 2.0375 | CuZn36Pb3 | 319 grade 2
Copper C101 | CU OFE Copper C110 | CU ETP
Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5 Alloy steel 1215 | EN1A | 1.0715 Alloy steel 4340 | 1.6511 | 36CrNiMo4 | EN24 Alloy steel 4140 | 1.7225 | EN19 | 42CrMo4
Tool steel A3 - Annealed state Tool steel H13 | 1.2344 | X40CrMoV5-1 - Annealed state Tool steel S7 | 1.2355 | 50CrMoV13-15 - Annealed state Tool steel O1 | 1.2510 | 100MnCrW4 - Annealed state Tool steel A2 | 1.2363 | X100CrMoV5-1- Annealed state Tool steel D2 | 1.2379 | X153CrMoV12-1 - Annealed state Show all alloys
Titanium Grade 5 | 3.7164 | Ti6Al4V Titanium Grade 2 | 3.7035 Titanium Grade 1 | 3.7025
Inconel 718
Invar
We can instantly quote a wide variety of post-machining surface finishes.
As machined
(Ra 3.2μm / Ra 126μin)
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Smooth machining
(Ra 1.6μm / Ra 63μin)
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Fine machining
(Ra 0.8μm / Ra 32μin)
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Polishing
(Ra 0.8μm / Ra 32μin)
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Brushed
(Ra 1.2μm / Ra 47μin)
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Bead blasted
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Powder coated
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Black oxide
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Electroless Nickel Plating
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Bead Blasted + Chromate Conversion Coating
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Bead Blasted + Anodized type III
(Hardcoat)
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Bead Blasted + Anodized type II
(Glossy)
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As machined + Anodized type II
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Brushed + Anodized type II
(Glossy)
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Bead blasted + Anodized type II
(Matte)
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As machined + Anodized type III
(Hardcoat)
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Get your CNC parts machined locally. We offer a choice of local or global manufacturing options for customers in the US and EU, so you can receive your parts faster. This means, manufacturing can take place within your customs-clearance zones, so you benefit from fewer logistical hurdles and faster delivery times.
Watch our video guide to fast CNC machining
We’ve manufactured millions of parts for all sorts of applications, but we’re especially knowledgeable in these areas.
Aerodynamic parts for aircraft, drones, satellites and rockets with AS 9100 certification
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Fast-tracked development for electric vehicles and other automotive innovations
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Industrial-grade manufacturing for mechanical components and prototypes
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Manufacture parts requiring highly cosmetic features for gaming, audio, video and smart home products.
Produce complex robotic systems, end effectors and automated machinery for this innovative industry.
Read moreHubs guarantees the quality of every part that flows through our network. Along with thoroughly vetting the manufacturing partners we work with, every order is dimensionally and visually inspected according to the Hubs Standard. Globally manufactured orders also undergo a second inspection at our cross-docks in Amsterdam and Chicago.
Our platform accelerates prototyping development cycles by reducing pre-production admin from weeks to minutes:
Instant quotes
Instant DFM feedback
Online quote and order management
Live delivery tracking
Our intuitive platform automates the ordering process, but if you ever need us, we're here to help
For production orders, we have full-service teams ready to guarantee identical specs on every order for the best unit price:
Dedicated project managers in your time zone
Application engineers for DFM cost optimisations
First Article Inspection (FAI)
Manufacturing is about relationships, so we have staff on the ground wherever you are to help make sure everything runs smoothly and on time, every time.
Coming soon! We’re changing our name to Protolabs Network. Find out more
We offer you the capacity and capabilities of dozens of local and global machine shops, with the ease of dealing with one. You get the experience and specialization of all our partner shops, we handle the communication, delivery and quality control.
Hubs combines its instant quoting tool and a global network of CNC machining centers to manufacture custom parts for applications ranging from rapid prototyping to serial production. You can use Hubs’ digital manufacturing platform to source high quality, complex metal and plastic parts efficiently and reliably.
To start sourcing CNC-machined parts with Hubs, simply upload a CAD file and technical drawing to our free quote building tool. You’ll either receive an instant CNC quote and be able to start production in only a few clicks, or you’ll be directed to one of our engineers for potential design for manufacturability (DFM) guidance.
CNC machining is the most common subtractive manufacturing technology available today and an optimal method for producing custom metal and plastic parts for prototyping and production applications. Using CAD (computer-aided design) modeling software and G-code, CNC milling and CNC turning machines remove material from a solid workpiece with precision and speed.
CNC machines manufacture robust parts with tight tolerances and a range of impressive material properties (mechanical and chemical). Our custom CNC machining service is ideal for one-off jobs and low-to-medium volume production, thanks to automation and high repeatability.
Hubs’ global network of CNC machine shops comprises experienced manufacturing partners operating 2-, 3-, and 5-axis machines. Our machinists work with a huge range of materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, mild, alloy & tool steels and production-grade polymers. We also offer many different surface finishing options such as anodizing, electroless nickel plating, powder coating and custom part marking with laser engraving and silk screening. For certain types of parts, you can also request rapid machining to get your parts manufactured in as few as five days.
We use automation to make custom machining easier, faster and more affordable than traditional machine shops:
We have an incredibly broad range of capabilities - much more than most individual shops.
Our quotes are generated instantly - request as many quotes as you like without feeling guilty.
No limits on order size - we can scale with you from one-off prototypes to millions of production parts.
We leverage market forces within our network to guarantee competitive pricing on every order.
We machine rapid prototypes and low-volume production orders for customers in multiple industries: aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, hardware startups, industrial automation, machinery, manufacturing, medical devices, oil & gas and robotics.
We guarantee that our manufacturing partners follow ISO 2768 standards for all CNC machined parts. Parts machined with metal will follow ISO 2768-m (medium) or ISO 2768-f (fine). Parts machined with plastics will follow 2768-m (medium). Geometric tolerances down to ± 0004 in. (0.010 mm) are possible but must be clearly indicated in technical drawings. We can achieve tighter tolerances on shafts with up to H7 fits with manual quoting and on occasion tighter.
Read more about our standards for tolerances here
At Hubs we offer CNC milling (3-axis, 3+2-axis and 5-axis) and turning. Milled parts can be machined up to 2000 x 1500 x 200 mm (78.7 x 59.0 x 7.8 in.) for 3/3+2 axis CNC milling. For 5-axis milling, the maximum part size is 650 x 650 x 300 mm (25.5 x 25.5 x 11.8 in.). The maximum diameter for CNC turning is 431mm (17 in.), length 990 mm (39 in). Minimum part dimensions recommended are around 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 in. (10 x 10 x 10mm).The minimum for feature dimensions is 0.5 mm.
We are limited to a 1000 mm (39 in.) maximum size for parts on our platform. If you need higher dimensions, you can place the request through your account manager.
Deburring and edge breaking are standard procedures for all CNC machined parts. If there are any critical edges that should be left sharp, they must be clearly indicated in technical drawings. Surfaces will be free of defects such as scratches, dents, stains, blemishes, hanging marks, minor defects. Surfaces indicated as critical (primary (a) side, as indicated on the technical drawing) will be free of mill steps and other marks. For the secondary (b) side, minor hanging marks and up to 2 minor defects are acceptable. A number of post-processing and finishing methods can be applied to improve the surface roughness, visual properties and wear resistance of machined parts.
We use machine learning algorithms to calculate the exact cost of any machinable part directly from a CAD file, based on millions of CNC machining orders we’ve previously processed. No more waiting for technicians to get back to you via email, we can generate an exact quote for you instantly (well, in about 5 seconds).
This means you always know the price up front. Simply upload a CAD file to generate a quote: get an instant CNC machining quote. Our quotes are completely free, you only need to create an account so we can protect your IP.
It’s so easy to use that we encourage mechanical engineers to use it constantly as they optimize their designs for cost. Whenever you’ve made a new design iteration, simply load both the old and the new design into our quoting tool and see if the price is different.
This technology means our manufacturing partners also don’t need to do their own machining quotes, which means less overhead for them. This makes the whole process less expensive, which translates into lower prices for our customers.
The main costs associated with CNC machining can be grouped into machining time, start-up costs, material costs, and feature costs. To reduce costs you need to understand the impact of these factors on cost.
The best way to reduce machining time is to design features that can be machined quickly, for example by choosing the correct radii for internal corners, reducing cavity depth, increasing wall thicknesses, limiting thread length and designing holes with standard sizes.
Material costs can be reduced by considering the size of the blank required, and the cost and machinability of the bulk material (softer alloys are faster to machine).
Start-up costs can be reduced by reducing the number part rotations or repositioning required to finish the part, for example by separating geometries into multiple parts that can be assembled later.
Feature costs can be reduced by only using tolerances when strictly necessary, removing all text & lettering, and avoiding multiple surface finishes.
These tips can be read in more detail in our full guide to reducing the cost of CNC machined parts.
We use algorithms to identify the best manufacturer in our network for your specific order, based on their proximity to you, their experience with similar parts and their available capacity right now. This allows us to balance our customers’ demands for speed, cost and quality better than ever before.
Hubs was started by mechanical engineers and we have many more engineers and technicians in our team. Together we’ve written a lot of content on CNC machining over the years. You can find a selection of resources below, or you can head to our knowledge hub and filter on CNC machining to read case studies, in-depth design guidelines and explanations of different surface finishes.
We’ve also written a complete engineering guide to CNC machining. Here you can learn about how the many different kinds of mills and lathes work and the different materials available, so you can easily compare their benefits & limitations. You’ll also learn the basic design rules for machining and the most common applications of each material and surface finish, so you can make the right choices every time.
Customers in the US and EU can choose local or global manufacturing for CNC machined parts. Local orders are manufactured within your customs-clearance zones, allowing for shorter lead times (from 5 days) and faster delivery as there’s no need for shipments to clear customs. Global orders generally result in longer lead times at a lower price. The best option depends on the timeline and requirements of your project.
Hubs was acquired by Protolabs in 2021 to bring customers the world’s most comprehensive digital manufacturing platform. Customers benefit from Hubs’ manufacturing capabilities as well as Protolabs’ in-house factories designed for automation and speed. Protolabs offers 1-day lead times – the fastest in the industry, and ITAR-compliant parts.
As we continue to integrate, you can read more about Hubs and Protolabs, and which to choose for your next project.
Learn about how the many different kinds of CNC machines work, the materials available, the benefits & limitations, basic design rules and the most common applications.
Read article
What is CNC machining and how does it work? Learn the basic principles and fundamental mechanics, as well as the key benefits and limitations, of this subtractive manufacturing process.
Read article
In this complete guide to designing for CNC machining, we've compiled basic & advanced design practices and tips to help you achieve the best results for your custom parts.
Read article
Make the most of CNC machining by optimizing your design and making the right material choices. Read these 14 design tips to help you reduce CNC-machining costs and create the perfect parts for your project.
Read article
How do you prepare technical drawings for CNC machining and why are they important? Technical drawings are widely used in manufacturing to improve the communication of technical requirements between the designer and engineer and the manufacturer.
Read article
This comprehensive guide compares the 25 most common materials used in CNC machining and helps you choose the right one for your application.
Read article
What surface finishes are available for CNC machining? You can apply post-processing and surface finishes to improve the surface roughness, cosmetic properties and wear resistance of metal parts. Learn about the most common ways to finish CNC machined parts, and how to select the best methods for your applications.
Read article
What are the different types of heat treatment and how do they affect CNC-machined parts? This article explores how heat treatments can be applied to many metal alloys to drastically improve key physical properties like hardness, strength and machinability.
Read article
Is 3D printing or CNC machining better for your custom part applications? Learn the practical differences between CNC machining and 3D printing and how to select the right technology for manufacturing prototypes, end-use parts and everything in between.
Read article
Learn about how the many different kinds of CNC machines work, the materials available, the benefits & limitations, basic design rules and the most common applications.
Read article
What is CNC machining and how does it work? Learn the basic principles and fundamental mechanics, as well as the key benefits and limitations, of this subtractive manufacturing process.
Read article
In this complete guide to designing for CNC machining, we've compiled basic & advanced design practices and tips to help you achieve the best results for your custom parts.
Read article
Make the most of CNC machining by optimizing your design and making the right material choices. Read these 14 design tips to help you reduce CNC-machining costs and create the perfect parts for your project.
Read article
How do you prepare technical drawings for CNC machining and why are they important? Technical drawings are widely used in manufacturing to improve the communication of technical requirements between the designer and engineer and the manufacturer.
Read article
This comprehensive guide compares the 25 most common materials used in CNC machining and helps you choose the right one for your application.
Read article
What surface finishes are available for CNC machining? You can apply post-processing and surface finishes to improve the surface roughness, cosmetic properties and wear resistance of metal parts. Learn about the most common ways to finish CNC machined parts, and how to select the best methods for your applications.
Read article
What are the different types of heat treatment and how do they affect CNC-machined parts? This article explores how heat treatments can be applied to many metal alloys to drastically improve key physical properties like hardness, strength and machinability.
Read article
Is 3D printing or CNC machining better for your custom part applications? Learn the practical differences between CNC machining and 3D printing and how to select the right technology for manufacturing prototypes, end-use parts and everything in between.
Read article
FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF
25+ plastics & 35+ colors
±0.5% dimensional accuracy with a lower limit down to ±0.0059 in (0.15 mm)
Lead times from 1 business day
Laser cutting, bending, post-processing
Tolerances down to ±.004 in (0.1 mm)
Lead times from 5 business days
Prototypes and production tooling
Wide range of part complexities and sizes
1 to 1M parts
Put your CNC parts into production today
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