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Steel CNC Machining
Welcome to Istar Machining’s guide to steel CNC machining! If you need strong, durable parts made with exact measurements, you’re in the right place. We make parts that work great in tough spots and last a long time.
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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
Benefits of Steel CNC Machining
Here’s why steel CNC machining stands out:
- Super Accurate: We can make parts with exact measurements (as close as ±0.005mm)
- Very Strong: Steel parts can handle heavy loads and tough conditions
- Cost-Effective: Our methods waste less material and work well for big orders
- Great Finish: We can make parts smooth or textured, just as you need
- Long-Lasting: Steel parts resist wear and tear for years of use
Types of Steel We Work With
We work with many types of steel to match what you need:
4140 Alloy Steel
12L14 Free-Machining Steel
304/316 Stainless Steel
D2 Tool Steel
1018 Low-Carbon Steel
17-4 PH Stainless Steel
4140 Alloy Steel
What it is: A mix of steel with chromium and molybdenum
Good things:
- Very strong
- Resists wear
- Good for high stress
- Can be heat treated
Not so good things:
- Needs heat treatment after cutting
- Not the best for rust protection
What it’s used for: Gears, shafts, car parts
Hardness: 28-32 HRC
12L14 Free-Machining Steel
What it is: Steel with lead added to make it easy to cut
Good things:
- Easiest steel to cut (85 AISI rating!)
- Low cost
- Fast production
- Good surface finish
Not so good things:
- Not good for welding
- Not very strong
- Can rust easily
What it’s used for: Nuts, bolts, small parts that need to be made fast
Hardness: 15-20 HRC
304/316 Stainless Steel
What it is: Steel with chromium and nickel that doesn’t rust
Good things:
- Very good rust protection
- Looks nice and shiny
- Clean for food and medical uses
- Strong enough for most uses
Not so good things:
- Hard to machine (takes 2× longer than regular steel)
- Gets work hardened (gets harder as you cut it)
- More expensive
What it’s used for: Medical parts, food equipment, outdoor parts
Hardness: 20-25 HRC
316 stainless steel is even better for salt water and chemicals than 304.
D2 Tool Steel
What it is: Very hard steel used for making tools
Good things:
- Stays sharp for a long time
- Very hard
- Good wear resistance
- Moderate rust protection
Not so good things:
- Hard to cut
- Can break if not heat treated right
- Expensive
What it’s used for: Cutting tools, dies, molds
Hardness: 58-62 HRC (very hard!)
1018 Low-Carbon Steel
What it is: Simple steel with low carbon
Good things:
- Very cheap
- Easy to machine
- Easy to weld
- Good for learning and testing
Not so good things:
- Not very strong
- Rusts easily
- Not good for hard use
What it’s used for: Test parts, simple brackets, frames
Hardness: 15-22 HRC
17-4 PH Stainless Steel
What it is: Special stainless steel that can be heat treated
Good things:
- Very strong
- Good rust protection
- Can be heat treated
- Keeps its size when heated
Not so good things:
- Very expensive
- Harder to machine than other steels
- Needs special tools
What it’s used for: Plane parts, medical tools, nuclear parts
Hardness: 35-45 HRC
Steel CNC Machined Products by Istar Machining
Industries We Serve
Our steel CNC machining helps many industries:
Finding the Right Steel CNC Partner
When choosing a company for your steel CNC needs, look for:
- Experience: A team that understands your industry needs
- Quality Standards: Proper certifications like ISO 9001
- Material Knowledge: Experts who know which steel works best
- Finishing Options: Ability to add treatments after machining
- Support: Help with design and problem-solving
At Istar Machining, we offer all these benefits and more. Our team has years of experience making steel parts for all kinds of industries.
Technical Details
Here’s what our steel CNC machining can do:
Parameter | Capability | Best For |
Tolerance | ±0.005mm to ±0.1mm | Parts that must fit perfectly |
Surface Finish | Ra 0.4μm to 3.2μm | From mirror-smooth to textured |
Min/Max Size | 0.5mm to 2000mm | Tiny precision parts to large components |
Lead Time | 5-15 days (prototype) 20-30 days (production) | Quick prototypes to full production runs |
Quantity | 1 to 10,000+ pieces | One-off custom parts to large orders |
Why Choose Istar Machining for Steel CNC
We stand out because:
Expert Team
Our machinists have years of experience with steel
Advanced Equipment
Our machines can make complex parts quickly
Quality Focus
We check every part to ensure it meets specifications
Customer Support
We help with design advice and material selection
Competitive Pricing
We offer great value without sacrificing quality
Our Steel Machining Process
At Istar Machining, we follow a careful process:
Design Review
We check your designs to make sure they'll work well
Programming
We create detailed instructions for our CNC machines
Machining
Our advanced machines cut and shape the steel
Quality Check
We measure every part to ensure it meets specifications
Finishing
We clean, polish, or treat the surface as needed
Get Started with Steel CNC Machining
Ready to make your steel parts with Istar Machining? Here’s how:
- Send us your designs (CAD files preferred)
- Get a free quote within 24 hours
- Review and approve the quote
- We make your parts
- We check quality and ship to you
For custom steel parts that meet exact specifications, trust the experts at Istar Machining. Our custom CNC steel services deliver the quality and precision your project demands.
Contact us today to discuss your steel CNC machining needs!
Frequently Asked Question
Steel CNC machining uses computer-controlled tools to shape steel into exact parts. Our machines follow digital plans to cut, drill, and shape steel with perfect accuracy. At Istar Machining, we use top-quality machines to make parts that meet your exact needs.
Simple parts can be done in 5-7 days. Complex parts or large orders take 2-4 weeks.
We can make features as small as 0.5mm in most steels.
Yes, we use special tools and techniques for hardened steel, though it may take longer.
CNC milling uses rotating tools to cut material, while CNC turning spins the material against fixed tools.
We help pick the right steel based on strength needs, environment, budget, and how the part will be used.
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