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2-Sided CNC Routing Service
Are you looking for a way to make perfect parts with both sides looking great? 2-sided CNC routing is the answer! At Istar Machining, we help you make amazing products with our cutting-edge machines.
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20+ Years
Istar Machining's years in the industry
300,000 square feet
The size of Istar Machining's factory
856 CNC machines
Our CNC equipment count
2000+ skilled workers
Istar's number of skilled machinists/operators
What is 2-Sided CNC Routing?
2-sided CNC routing is a super cool way to cut and shape materials on both sides without messing up. Instead of flipping your part by hand (which can cause mistakes), our special machines work on both sides with perfect matching.
Why Choose 2-Sided CNC Routing?
- No Mistakes: Parts line up perfectly with ±0.005″ accuracy
- Save Time: No need to set up your part twice
- Better Looking: Both sides match perfectly
- More Materials: Works with wood, plastic, metal and more
As one of the top 5 CNC machining factories in China, our precision CNC machining gives you parts that fit together perfectly every time.
Materials and Their Best Uses
Two-sided CNC routing is compatible with a wide variety of materials. Below is a detailed list of materials commonly used for 2-sided CNC routing, categorized for clarity:
Metals
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Mild Steel
Alloy Steel
Brass
Titanium
Copper
Aluminum
(Common Grades: 6061, 7075, 5052, 2024) is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and is very machinable.
- Good for: Housings and enclosures, jigs, fixtures, and tooling, automotive and aerospace components, heat sinks and thermal management parts, manifolds and fluid handling blocks, high-speed prototypes.
- Why customers love it: It provides an outstanding balance of strength, weight, machinability, and cost-effectiveness, making it versatile for countless prototyping and production applications.
Stainless Steel
(Common Grades: 304, 316, 440C) offers excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and durability. Different grades offer varying levels of machinability and resistance to specific environments.
- Good for: Medical devices, food processing equipment, marine hardware, architectural elements, components requiring high strength and corrosion resistance.
- Why customers love it: Its robustness and resistance to harsh conditions make it ideal for demanding applications where longevity and hygiene are critical.
Mild Steel
(Common Grades: A36, 1018) is a cost-effective and versatile material with good weldability and machinability. It’s strong and can be easily finished.
- Good for: Structural components, frames, brackets, general fabrication, tooling, and parts where high strength is needed at a lower cost.
- Why customers love it: Its affordability and ease of machining make it a popular choice for structural and general-purpose applications.
Alloy Steel
(e.g., Chrome Moly, Tool Steel) offers enhanced strength, hardness, wear resistance, and heat resistance compared to mild steel. Specific alloys are chosen based on the required properties.
- Good for: High-performance parts, gears, shafts, cutting tools, molds, and components subjected to high stress or wear.
- Why customers love it: The tailored properties of alloy steels allow for the creation of highly durable and reliable components for specialized applications.
Brass
(Common Alloys: C260, C360) is known for its good machinability, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and aesthetic appeal.
- Good for: Electrical connectors, plumbing fixtures, decorative hardware, musical instruments, and components requiring good sliding properties.
- Why customers love it: Its combination of functional properties and attractive appearance makes it suitable for both industrial and decorative uses.
Titanium
(Common Grades: Grade 2, Grade 5) is a lightweight metal with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility.
- Good for: Aerospace components, medical implants, high-performance automotive parts, marine applications, and sports equipment.
- Why customers love it: Its unique combination of lightness and strength makes it ideal for demanding applications where weight is a critical factor.
Copper
Offers excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance, and machinability.
- Good for: Electrical components, heat exchangers, bus bars, plumbing, and decorative elements.
- Why customers love it: Its superior conductivity makes it essential for electrical and thermal management applications.
Plastics
Acrylic (PMMA)
Polycarbonate (PC)
ABS
Delrin
Nylon (Polyamide)
HDPE
UHMW
PTFE - Teflon
Acrylic (PMMA)
A transparent and rigid plastic with good optical clarity, weather resistance, and machinability.
- Good for: Signage, displays, lenses, enclosures, and decorative parts.
- Why customers love it: Its clarity and ease of fabrication make it a popular choice for visual applications.
Polycarbonate (PC)
A strong and impact-resistant transparent plastic with good heat resistance.
- Good for: Safety shields, lenses, enclosures for electronics, and durable prototypes.
- Why customers love it: Its exceptional impact strength provides durability in demanding environments.
ABS
A common thermoplastic known for its good impact resistance, toughness, and machinability.
- Good for: Enclosures, housings, automotive interior parts, and consumer products.
- Why customers love it: Its balance of properties and affordability makes it a widely used material for various applications.
Delrin
A high-strength, stiff engineering thermoplastic with excellent wear resistance, low friction, and good dimensional stability.
- Good for: Gears, bearings, bushings, rollers, and precision mechanical parts.
- Why customers love it: Its self-lubricating properties and durability make it ideal for moving parts.
Nylon (Polyamide)
A tough and wear-resistant thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and low friction.
- Good for: Gears, bearings, bushings, fasteners, and wear pads.
- Why customers love it: Its durability and resistance to abrasion make it suitable for mechanical components.
HDPE
A strong, durable, and chemical-resistant thermoplastic with good impact resistance.
- Good for: Tanks, containers, cutting boards, and outdoor applications.
- Why customers love it: Its chemical resistance and durability make it suitable for various industrial and outdoor uses.
UHMW
An extremely tough and abrasion-resistant thermoplastic with a very low coefficient of friction.
- Good for: Wear strips, guides, conveyor components, and applications requiring high abrasion resistance.
- Why customers love it: Its exceptional wear resistance ensures long life in high-friction applications.
PTFE - Teflon
Known for its extremely low coefficient of friction, excellent chemical resistance, and high-temperature resistance.
- Good for: Seals, gaskets, non-stick surfaces, and components in harsh chemical environments.
- Why customers love it: Its unique properties make it essential for specialized applications requiring low friction and chemical inertness.
Wood & Composites
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Plywood
MDF
Nylon (Polyamide)
Phenolic
Carbon Fiber Composites
Fiberglass Composites (GRP)
Hardwoods
(e.g., Maple, Oak, Walnut): Dense and durable woods with attractive grain patterns, suitable for structural and aesthetic applications.
- Good for: Furniture, cabinetry, decorative elements, and intricate carvings.
- Why customers love it: Their natural beauty and strength make them ideal for high-quality woodworking projects.
Softwoods
(e.g., Pine, Fir, Cedar): Less dense and generally more affordable woods, easier to machine and suitable for various construction and crafting purposes.
- Good for: Prototyping, patterns, general construction, and decorative items.
- Why customers love it: Their affordability and ease of workability make them suitable for a wide range of projects.
Plywood
An engineered wood made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together, offering good strength and stability.
- Good for: Panels, jigs, fixtures, and structural components.
- Why customers love it: Its strength and dimensional stability make it a versatile building material.
MDF
An engineered wood product made from wood fibers glued under heat and pressure, providing a smooth and consistent surface.
- Good for: Signage, furniture components, and paintable surfaces.
- Why customers love it: Its smooth surface and stability make it ideal for painting and intricate cutting.
Nylon (Polyamide)
A tough and wear-resistant thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and low friction.
- Good for: Gears, bearings, bushings, fasteners, and wear pads.
- Why customers love it: Its durability and resistance to abrasion make it suitable for mechanical components.
Phenolic
(e.g., Garolite, Bakelite): A durable and electrically insulating composite material made from layers of fabric or paper bonded with resin.
- Good for: Electrical insulators, test fixtures, and wear-resistant parts.
- Why customers love it: Its excellent electrical insulation and mechanical strength make it suitable for technical applications.
Carbon Fiber Composites
Lightweight and extremely strong materials made from carbon fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
- Good for: Aerospace components, high-performance automotive parts, sporting goods, and robotics.
- Why customers love it: Their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio makes them ideal for demanding applications where weight is critical.
Fiberglass Composites (GRP)
Strong and corrosion-resistant materials made from glass fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
- Good for: Enclosures, housings, marine components, and chemical storage tanks.
- Why customers love it: Their corrosion resistance and durability make them suitable for harsh environments.
Foam & Other Materials
Rigid Foams
Sign Foam (HDU - High-Density Urethane)
Leather
Rigid Foams
(e.g., Polyurethane, Polystyrene): Lightweight materials with good insulation properties, suitable for prototyping, packaging, and insulation.
- Good for: Mockups, packaging inserts, insulation panels, and scenic elements.
- Why customers love it: Their lightweight nature and ease of shaping make them ideal for prototyping and packaging.
Sign Foam (HDU - High-Density Urethane)
A durable and weather-resistant closed-cell polyurethane foam, excellent for signage and dimensional lettering.
- Good for: Outdoor signage, dimensional letters, and architectural details.
- Why customers love it: Its weather resistance and machinability make it ideal for durable outdoor signs.
Leather
A natural material with flexibility and durability, suitable for various decorative and functional applications.
- Good for: Tooling, custom leather goods, and decorative inlays.
Why customers love it: Its natural beauty and durability make it a popular choice for handcrafted items.
CNC Products Produced by Istar Machining
Cool Things You Can Make
Furniture Parts
Make cabinet doors with fancy grooves that match on both sides. Wooden parts fit together perfectly!
Aerospace Parts
Make lightweight aluminum brackets for planes and rockets. Our aerospace CNC machining helps parts fly high!
Signs and Displays
Create double-sided signs where both sides line up perfectly. Great for stores and businesses!
Important Considerations for 2-Sided Machining:
While many materials can be used for 2-sided CNC routing, successful execution depends on factors such as:
- Material Stability: Materials prone to warping or significant thermal expansion/contraction can pose challenges for precise double-sided alignment.
- Workholding: Secure and consistent workholding is crucial to ensure accurate machining on both sides.
- Tooling: Selecting appropriate cutting tools for the material is essential for clean cuts and efficient material removal on both sides.
- Alignment Strategy: Precise alignment methods, such as using dowel pins, flips jigs, or optical registration, are critical for achieving accurate results on the second side.
How 2-Sided CNC Routing Works
Our process is simple but super smart:
- We make a 3D modelof your part showing both sides
- Special clamps holdyour material without moving
- Laser guideshelp our machines know exactly where to cut
- Computer controlmakes sure both sides match perfectly
- Final checkmakes sure everything is perfect
Why Our 2-Sided Routing is Special
Super Precise Alignment
Our machines use laser guides and special pins to make sure both sides match perfectly. No more parts that don't fit right!
Fast Work
We can make 500+ parts per day using machines that work around the clock. Need parts fast? We've got you covered!
Less Waste
Our smart software cuts parts using the least material possible, saving up to 30% compared to other methods.
Perfect Finishes
Both sides of your part will look amazing with the same smooth finish.
What Our Machines Can Do
Get Started Today!
At Istar Machining, we focus on high-precision, custom CNC machining that makes your ideas come to life. Our CNC routing services deliver perfect parts every time.
Need more than routing? Check out our 5-axis machining for the most complex parts possible!
Contact us today to get your perfect two-sided parts made right!
Send Us Your Design
Upload your CAD files (like STEP or IGES format)
Get a Quick Quote
We'll tell you the price and timeline within 1 hour
We Make Your Parts
Our skilled machinists program the CNC machines
Quality Check
Every part is inspected before shipping
Safe Delivery
Your parts arrive on time, ready to use
Frequently Asked Question
Yes! We can handle materials as thin as 1/8 inch without breaking or bending them.
Absolutely! Our setup works great for making just a few parts or thousands of them.
We can route pieces up to 5 feet by 10 feet with our largest machines.
We use special computer programs and alignment pins that are accurate to within 0.005 inches – that’s thinner than a human hair!
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