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CNC Thread Milling Service
Are you looking for a better way to make threads? CNC thread milling might be just what you need! This modern way of making threads uses special rotating tools to cut perfect internal and external threads. It works way better than old-style tapping for many jobs.
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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 CNC Thread Milling?
CNC thread milling uses a special spinning tool that moves in a spiral path to create threads. Unlike tapping, the tool doesn’t need to be the same size as the thread. One tool can make many different thread sizes!
Our CNC milling service experts use thread milling for both inside and outside threads with super high accuracy.
Why Choose Thread Milling Over Tapping?
Thread milling has big advantages over old-style tapping:
- No broken toolsin blind holes (the tool doesn’t have to back out)
- Better thread finishwith smoother surfaces
- One tool makes many thread sizes, saving money
- Works on hard materialsthat would break taps
- Great for large threadswhere taps would be too expensive
As experts in CNC prototype machining, we know when thread milling is the best choice for your project.
Thread Milling in Different Industries
Thread milling is perfect for many industries. Here’s where we use it most:
Aerospace
We mill high-strength threads in turbine blades using Inconel 625. These parts must be perfect with no room for error. The threads need to hold together even in extreme heat.
Automotive
Engine blocks and suspension parts need strong, precise threads. We use thread milling for these parts because it creates stronger threads than tapping.
Medical
Medical implants and surgical tools need perfect threads that won't fail. We can mill threads in both stainless steel and plastic medical parts with accuracy to ±0.001".
Oil & Gas
Pipeline fittings with NPT threads must not leak under pressure. We mill these threads with perfect form to make sure they seal tight every time.
Our Thread Milling Tools
We use only the best tools for CNC thread milling:
Tool Type | Coating | Best For | Features |
Solid Carbide | Nano AlTiN | Aerospace parts, Inconel 625 | Heat resistant, long life |
Helical Flute | TiCN | Stainless steel, automotive parts | Excellent chip evacuation |
Multi-form Thread Mills | ZrN | Medical parts, small threads | Can cut M1.6 threads without breaking |
Indexable Insert | None | Large pipe threads, oil & gas | Cost-effective for big threads |
Materials and Their Best Uses
Different materials are better for different jobs. Here’s what works best:
Metals
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Carbon Steel
Titanium
Brass
Aluminum
Aluminum Alloys (e.g., 6061, 7075, 2024) are highly machinable and offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios.
Good for:
- Aerospace components requiring lightweight threads
- Automotive parts (engine blocks, transmission housings)
- Consumer electronics enclosures and fixtures
- Prototypes and jigs requiring fast, precise threading
- Parts needing good thermal and electrical conductivity
Why customers love it: “Aluminum threads beautifully, allowing for fast cycle times and cost-effective production. Its natural corrosion resistance and light weight are perfect for our applications.”
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Alloys (e.g., 303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH) provide excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and durability.
Good for:
- Medical devices and implants needing biocompatibility and sterilization resistance
- Food processing equipment requiring cleanliness and corrosion resistance
- Marine hardware exposed to saltwater environments
- Chemical processing components
- High-wear threaded components
Why customers love it: “The corrosion resistance of stainless steel threads is unmatched for our harsh environments. They hold up incredibly well and maintain their integrity long-term.”
Carbon Steel
Carbon & Alloy Steels (e.g., 1018, 1045, 4140, 4340) offer high strength, hardness, and wear resistance at a lower cost than stainless steel. Can be heat-treated for enhanced properties.
Good for:
- Industrial machinery and tooling components
- Automotive powertrain and chassis parts
- Structural components requiring strong threaded connections
- Fixtures and jigs demanding high strength
- Applications where high tensile strength is paramount
Why customers love it: “Steel provides the raw strength we need for our threaded assemblies. The ability to heat-treat gives us the exact hardness and durability required for demanding applications.”
Titanium
Titanium Alloys (e.g., Grade 2, Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V) boast an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance (especially to chlorides), and biocompatibility.
Good for:
- Aerospace structural components and fasteners
- Medical implants (orthopedic screws, dental implants)
- High-performance automotive and racing parts
- Marine applications requiring resistance to seawater
- Chemical processing equipment exposed to aggressive media
Why customers love it: “For applications where weight is critical but strength cannot be compromised, titanium threads are the answer. Its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance are essential for our medical and aerospace projects.”
Brass
Brass (Copper-Zinc alloy, e.g., C360) is known for its excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Creates very clean threads.
Good for:
- Plumbing fittings and valves
- Electrical connectors and terminals
- Musical instruments components
- Decorative hardware requiring a gold-like appearance
- Low-friction applications like gears and bearings
Why customers love it: “Brass machines like butter! We get perfect, sharp threads every time, which is crucial for our fluid and electrical connector applications. Plus, it looks great.”
Plastics
PEEK
Delrin (Acetal)
Nylon
ABS
Polycarbonate
Ultem (PEI)
PEEK
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic with outstanding mechanical strength, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and high-temperature stability.
Good for:
- Aerospace components replacing metal
- Medical devices requiring biocompatibility and sterilizability
- Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing parts
- Chemical processing pump and valve components
- High-temperature, high-stress threaded applications
Why customers love it: “PEEK gives us metal-like performance in a lightweight plastic. Its ability to withstand harsh chemicals and high temperatures while maintaining thread integrity is incredible.”
Delrin (Acetal)
Delrin® (Acetal / POM) is an engineering thermoplastic known for its high stiffness, low friction, excellent dimensional stability, and good machinability.
Good for:
- Precision mechanical parts requiring tight tolerances
- Bushings, bearings, and gears needing low friction
- Electrical insulators
- Fuel system components (good chemical resistance)
- Consumer goods components requiring durability
Why customers love it: “Delrin machines incredibly well, holding tight tolerances for precise threads. Its low friction and stiffness are perfect for our moving mechanical assemblies.”
Nylon
Nylon (PA, e.g., Nylon 6/6, Nylon 6) is a versatile engineering thermoplastic offering good toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance (especially to oils and fuels).
Good for:
- Gears, rollers, and wear pads
- Automotive components (engine covers, intake manifolds)
- Fasteners and threaded inserts
- Electrical connectors and housings
- Textile machinery parts
Why customers love it: “Nylon threads provide a great balance of strength, toughness, and cost-effectiveness. They hold up well in applications with repeated use and moderate chemical exposure.”
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a common thermoplastic known for its impact resistance, toughness, rigidity, and ease of processing.
Good for:
- Consumer electronics housings and enclosures
- Automotive interior trim parts
- Prototyping applications
- Pipe fittings
- General-purpose housings needing threaded bosses
Why customers love it: “ABS is a reliable, cost-effective material for threading general-purpose parts. It’s tough enough for everyday use and machines easily.”
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (PC) is a strong, impact-resistant, and transparent thermoplastic with good temperature resistance.
Good for:
- Safety glasses and machine guards
- Medical device components (sterilizable grades)
- Electronics housings requiring impact strength
- Automotive lighting components
- Applications needing optical clarity combined with threaded features
Why customers love it: “The impact strength of Polycarbonate is amazing. We can thread parts that need to be both tough and transparent, which is hard to find in other materials.”
Ultem (PEI)
Ultem™ (PEI / Polyetherimide) is a high-performance amorphous thermoplastic offering high strength, rigidity, high-temperature resistance, broad chemical resistance, and inherent flame retardancy.
Good for:
- Medical components requiring repeated sterilization (autoclave)
- Electrical and electronic insulators (high dielectric strength)
- Aerospace interior components
- Automotive parts under the hood
- Microwave applications
Why customers love it: “Ultem withstands high temperatures and aggressive sterilization processes without losing thread strength or dimensional stability. It’s essential for our demanding medical and electronic applications.”
CNC Products Produced by Istar Machining
How We Use CNC Thread Milling
Our process makes sure you get perfect threads:
- Programming: We create special G-code for each thread type
- Tool Selection: We pick the best tool based on material and thread size
- Spindle Speed: We set the right speed for your material (100-10,000 RPM)
- Test Cut: We make a sample thread and check it before making all your parts
- Quality Check: We use thread gauges to verify every thread meets specs
Benefits of Our CNC Thread Milling Service
When you choose Istar Machining for thread milling, you get:
- Perfect threadsevery time with ±0.001″ tolerance
- Cost savingsfrom faster production and less tool breakage
- Ability to make custom threadsthat aren’t standard
- No spindle reversal needed, making the process faster
- Repairs for damaged threadsin expensive parts
- Thread milling in hard-to-machine materialslike Inconel 625
CNC Thread Milling vs. Tapping: A Simple Comparison
Still not sure which is better? Check out this comparison:
Feature | Thread Milling | Tapping |
Tool Cost | Higher initial cost | Lower initial cost |
Thread Quality | Very high, perfect finish | Good in soft materials only |
Material Range | Works in all materials | Limited in hard materials |
Thread Size Range | One tool for many sizes | One tool per size |
Risk of Tool Breaking | Very low | High in blind holes |
Chip Evacuation | Excellent, no clogging | Can clog in deep holes |
Speed | Slower for small threads | Faster for small, simple threads |
Complex Threads | Can make special threads | Limited to standard threads |
Why Choose Istar Machining for CNC Thread Milling?
As a top 5 CNC machining factory in China, we provide:
- Highest precisionthread milling with advanced CNC equipment
- Engineering supportto help design the best threads for your application
- Fast turnaroundfor both prototypes and production runs
- ISO 9001 certifiedquality management system
- Experience with aerospace and medicalthreading requirements
- Competitive pricingwithout sacrificing quality
Ready to get perfect threads for your next project? Contact us today for a free quote on your CNC thread milling needs!
Frequently Asked Question
A: Yes! That’s one of the big advantages. The tool follows a helical path without needing to reverse.
A: Almost anything! Our tools work on everything from soft plastics to hardened steel up to 62 HRC.
A: We can hold tolerances of ±0.001″ which meets aerospace and medical standards.
A: The initial tool cost may be higher, but you save money by using one tool for many thread sizes and having fewer broken tools.
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