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3D CNC Routing Service
Are you looking to make complex 3D designs in wood, metal, or plastic? Our 3D CNC routing service turns your ideas into real products with amazing detail. Let’s explore how this cool technology can help you make awesome 3D creations!
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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 3D CNC Routing?
3D CNC routing is a special way to carve materials into three-dimensional shapes using computer-controlled machines. Unlike flat cutting, 3D routing can create:
- Detailed sculptures
- Curved surfaces
- Deep relief designs
- Product prototypes
- Custom signs with depth
Our 5-axis machining technology lets us cut materials from many angles to create even the most complex designs!
Key Features of Our 3D CNC Routing Service
Feature | Details | Why It Matters |
Work Area Size | 48″ x 96″ (expandable up to 10′ x 5′) | Make small parts or huge signs – we can do both! |
Spindle Power | 5kW HSD spindle (24,000–30,000 RPM) | Fast, clean cuts in tough materials |
Axis Setup | 3-axis standard, optional 5-axis for complex shapes | Create undercuts and complex 3D shapes |
Materials We Cut | Wood, MDF, aluminum, brass, acrylic, foam, composites | Works with almost any material you need |
Software | Works with common 3D design files | Easy to turn your designs into finished products |
Accuracy | ±0.001″ precision | Every part fits perfectly |
Dust Collection | Built-in vacuum system | Keeps your parts clean and workspace safe |
Materials We Can 3D Route
Different materials are better for different jobs. Here’s what works best:
Plastics
Acrylic (PMMA)
Polycarbonate (PC)
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Delrin® (Acetal / POM)
Acrylic (PMMA)
Description: (Common Types: Cast, Extruded) A versatile thermoplastic known for its clarity, rigidity, and wide range of colors. Often used as a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass. Machines to a smooth, often polishable edge.
Good for:
- Signage, lettering, and logos
- Retail displays and point-of-purchase stands
- Light panels and diffusers
- Machine guards and viewing windows
- Architectural models
- Decorative panels and components
Why Choose It: Offers excellent optical clarity, weather resistance, and color stability. It’s relatively cost-effective and provides a high-quality finish when machined correctly.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Description: (Common Brands: Lexan™, Makrolon™) An extremely durable and impact-resistant thermoplastic. Significantly stronger than acrylic but can be more challenging to machine cleanly without specialized tooling and techniques.
Good for:
- High-impact machine guards and safety shields
- Protective enclosures
- Skylights and durable glazing (where clarity is needed)
- Vandal-proof signage components
- Functional prototypes requiring high toughness
Why Choose It: Unmatched impact strength and toughness, good temperature resistance, and inherent flame retardancy in certain grades make it ideal for demanding applications.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Description: (Types: Rigid, Expanded/Foam Board) A cost-effective and chemically resistant plastic. Rigid PVC is dense and strong. Expanded PVC (Foam Board) is lightweight with a matte finish, easy to machine.
Good for:
- (Expanded PVC): Signage, display boards, exhibition stands, modeling.
- (Rigid PVC): Chemical tanks or processing components, construction profiles, electrical insulation parts.
Why Choose It: Offers excellent chemical resistance (Rigid PVC), good electrical insulation, and is very cost-effective. Expanded PVC is lightweight and easy to handle for display purposes.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Description: A durable, abrasion-resistant thermoplastic with a waxy feel and excellent chemical resistance. Known for its low coefficient of friction.
Good for:
- Cutting boards (food grade)
- Wear strips and chain guides
- Tank linings
- Playground equipment components
- Marine construction (e.g., StarBoard®)
Why Choose It: Extremely durable, moisture and chemical resistant, impact resistant even at low temperatures, and relatively inexpensive.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Description: A common thermoplastic known for its toughness, rigidity, and impact resistance. Machines well and is easily fabricated.
Good for:
- Prototyping and modeling
- Enclosures for electronics
- Automotive interior components (trim, etc.)
- Luggage shells
- Pipe fittings
Why Choose It: Provides a good balance of strength, stiffness, toughness, and heat resistance at a reasonable cost. Accepts paint and glue well.
Delrin® (Acetal / POM)
Description: (Polyoxymethylene) A high-strength, low-friction engineering thermoplastic with excellent dimensional stability and fatigue resistance. Machines beautifully to tight tolerances.
Good for:
- Gears, bearings, and bushings
- Jigs and fixtures
- High-performance components requiring stiffness and low wear
- Electrical insulator parts
- Fuel system components
Why Choose It: Exceptional machinability, high strength and stiffness, low friction, excellent wear resistance, and good chemical resistance make it a top choice for precision mechanical parts.
Woods & Wood Composites
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Plywood
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
Hardwoods
Description: (Examples: Oak, Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Beech) Wood from deciduous trees. Known for their strength, durability, and attractive grain patterns. Machining properties vary by species.
Good for:
- Furniture components
- Decorative carvings and reliefs
- Custom cabinetry parts
- Musical instrument components
- High-end signage and plaques
Why Choose It: Offers natural beauty, excellent strength and durability, and a premium feel. Different species provide unique aesthetics and working properties.
Softwoods
Description: (Examples: Pine, Cedar, Fir, Spruce) Wood from coniferous trees. Generally lighter, less dense, and less expensive than hardwoods. Easier to machine but can be prone to denting.
Good for:
- Budget-friendly signage
- Architectural models
- Paint-grade furniture components
- Prototyping
- Construction framing elements (where precision cutting is needed)
Why Choose It: Cost-effective, lightweight, and generally easy to work with. Cedar offers good natural decay resistance for outdoor use.
Plywood
Description: An engineered wood sheet material made from thin layers (plies) of wood veneer glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. Grades vary significantly (e.g., Baltic Birch, Marine Grade).
Good for:
- Cabinetry carcasses and components
- Jigs, fixtures, and templates
- Structural panels
- Furniture (especially Baltic Birch)
- Sub-flooring and sheathing (utility grades)
Why Choose It: Offers good dimensional stability, strength, and resistance to warping compared to solid wood. Available in large sheets and various grades for different applications.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
Description: An engineered wood product made from wood fibers, wax, and resin, formed into panels under high temperature and pressure. Very uniform density, smooth surface, no grain pattern.
Good for:
- Paint-grade cabinet doors and panels
- Signage blanks
- Jigs, fixtures, and spoilboards
- Mouldings and trim
- Speaker enclosures
- Models and prototypes
Why Choose It: Very cost-effective, dimensionally stable, provides an excellent smooth surface for painting, machines easily with consistent results (though produces fine dust).
Foams & Soft Metals
HDU (High-Density Urethane)
EPS & XPS Foam
Aluminum
Brass
HDU (High-Density Urethane)
Description: (Often referred to by brand names like Sign•Foam®, Precision Board™) A rigid, closed-cell foam board specifically designed for dimensional signage, modeling, and tooling. Does not have grain, machines easily, and is waterproof.
Good for:
- Dimensional signs and letters
- Prototype models
- Mold patterns and plugs
- Theatrical props
- Architectural elements
Why Choose It: Exceptionally easy and fast to machine, creates crisp details, very stable, waterproof, and accepts paint and finishes extremely well. Lighter than wood.
EPS & XPS Foam
Description: (Expanded Polystyrene & Extruded Polystyrene) Lightweight, rigid foams commonly used for insulation. EPS has a visible bead structure; XPS is typically denser and smoother.
Good for:
- Large-scale props and sculptures (often hard-coated afterward)
- Architectural models
- Void forms for concrete
- Packaging inserts
- Insulation panels (cut to specific shapes)
Why Choose It: Very lightweight and low cost. Easy to cut quickly into large forms. XPS offers a smoother surface than EPS.
Aluminum
Description: (Common Grades: 6061, 5052, 7075) A lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Very machinable with the right tools and techniques (especially grades like 6061).
Good for:
- Signage and lettering
- Machine components and brackets
- Front panels for electronics
- Jigs, fixtures, and tooling plates
- Decorative architectural elements
- Prototypes
Why Choose It: Offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, recyclability, and a clean, modern aesthetic. Relatively easy to machine compared to harder metals.
Brass
Description: An alloy primarily of copper and zinc. Known for its decorative gold-like appearance, corrosion resistance, and good machinability.
Good for:
- Decorative plaques and signage
- Engraved plates
- Musical instrument components
- Architectural hardware elements
- Custom gears and fittings (where properties are suitable)
Why Choose It: Attractive appearance, good corrosion resistance, and relatively easy to machine, producing fine details.
CNC Products Produced by Istar Machining
Amazing Things You Can Make with 3D CNC Routing
Custom 3D Signs
Product Prototypes
Artistic Sculptures
Molds for Production
Architectural Elements
Custom 3D Signs
Create eye-catching business signs with:
- Raised logos
- 3D lettering
- Textured backgrounds
- Multi-level designs
Product Prototypes
Test your product ideas with working models:
- Precise fit and function
- Test before production
- Show investors real samples
- Refine designs quickly
Artistic Sculptures
Turn your creative ideas into 3D reality:
- Detailed relief carvings
- Free-standing sculptures
- Custom artwork
- Architectural elements
Molds for Production
Create perfect molds for:
- Concrete casting
- Plastic injection
- Fiberglass parts
- Custom packaging
Architectural Elements
Add beautiful details to buildings:
- Decorative panels
- Column capitals
- Ceiling medallions
- Custom moldings
The 3D CNC Routing Process
- Design: We start with your 3D model or help create one for you
- Material Selection: Choose the best material for your project
- Programming: Our experts set up the toolpaths for perfect cutting
- Machining: The CNC router carves your design with precision
- Finishing: We sand, polish, or paint your project as needed
- Quality Check: Every piece is inspected for perfect detail
- Delivery: Your finished project is carefully packaged and shipped
Why Choose Our 3D CNC Routing Service?
- Precision: Every cut is exact to ±0.001″ for perfect results
- Speed: Get your parts faster with our high-speed machines
- Experience: Our experts know how to get the best results
- Quality: We use only the best materials and tools
- Value: Competitive pricing without sacrificing quality
Industries We Serve
Our 3D CNC routing helps many different industries:
Advanced Capabilities
For complex projects, we offer advanced options:
5-Axis Routing
For the most complex shapes with undercuts
Material Blending
Combine different materials in one project
Large Format
Projects up to 10 feet long
Micro Detailing
Tiny details for model making
Batch Production
Make multiple identical pieces
Get Started With Your 3D CNC Routing Project
Ready to bring your 3D designs to life? Contact Istar Machining today! As a top 5 CNC machining factory in China, we provide high-precision, high-efficiency CNC machining service for all your needs.
For projects that need both 3D routing and detailed cutting, our 2D&3D CNC cutting service offers the perfect combination!
Contact us today to discuss your 3D CNC routing project and get a free quote!
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
A: Yes! We can route aluminum, brass, and other soft metals with great results.
A: Very detailed! Our machines can create tiny details down to 0.02″ in size.
A: Simple projects can be done in 1-3 days. Complex projects may take 1-2 weeks.
A: We work with .STL, .STEP, .DXF, and most other 3D design formats.
A: It’s very cost-effective for custom projects compared to other methods.
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