How to Order Custom Precision Machined Parts (Metal / Ceramic / Optical Components)

Research equipment often requires non-standard parts:

• Vacuum flanges
• Sample holders
• Sapphire/quartz windows
• Ceramic spacers
• Stainless steel fixtures
• Aluminum mounts
• Copper heat sinks
• Optics housings
• Shadow-mask frames
• Custom adapters

Unlike mass manufacturing, scientific machining requires tight tolerances, high-temperature compatibility, optical polishing, and cleanroom-grade finishing.

This guide explains everything customers must prepare before ordering custom machined components.

Step 1 — Choose the Material

✔ Metals

• Stainless Steel (304 / 316) → vacuum systems, mechanical strength
• Aluminum (6061-T6 / 7075) → lightweight, optical mounts
• Copper (OFHC) → thermal conductivity, heat sinks
• Titanium → UHV systems, high strength
• Molybdenum → high temperature (sputtering/evaporation fixtures)

✔ Ceramics

• Alumina (99%) → insulating spacers, high-temp components
• Zirconia → strength, wear resistance
• BN (Boron Nitride) → evaporation boats, thermal insulators

✔ Optical Materials

• Quartz → UV/IR optics, windows
• Sapphire → extreme durability, high-temp viewports
• Glass → low-cost optical parts

Note: different materials have different machinability limits.

Step 2 — Specify Dimensions & Tolerances

✔ Critical dimensions

• Outer diameter (OD)
• Inner diameter (ID)
• Thickness
• Length/width
• Slot width
• Hole diameter

✔ Tolerance Levels

✔ Optical Parts

• Flatness (λ, λ/4, λ/10)
• Scratch-dig (e.g., 40-20)
• Side-wall angle
• Surface roughness (Ra < 5 nm)

Step 3 — Surface Finish Requirements

Metals

• Polished
• Sandblasted
• Ra surface roughness
• Passivation
• Anodized (aluminum)

Ceramics

• Lapped
• Polished on one or two sides
• Chamfered edges

Optics

• Side polishing
• AR coating
• HR coating
• Protective bevel

Important: Polishing adds cost & time, but is essential for optical-grade parts or sapphire/quartz components.

Step 4 — What File Formats Are Accepted

✔ Preferred (exact geometry)

• STEP (.stp / .step)
• IGES (.igs)
• SolidWorks (.sldprt)
• DXF (2D machining)
• SVG
• AI
• PDF with exact dimensions

Step 5 — Operating Environment (Very important!)

Customers should specify:

✔ Temperature

(e.g., 120°C / 1000°C / 1800°C)

✔ Vacuum level

• 10⁻³ Torr
• 10⁻⁶ Torr
• 10⁻⁹ Torr (UHV)

✔ Chemical exposure

• Plasma environments
• O₂, H₂, Ar
• Solvents
• Corrosive gases

This determines appropriate material & finish.

Step 6 — Assembly & Compatibility Requirements

Specify:

• Thread type（metric / UNC）
• Bolt pattern
• Counterbore / countersink
• Fits with existing flange or holder
• O-ring material compatibility
• Alignment pins needed?

Step 7 — Packaging, Cleanliness, and QC Requirements

For research applications:

• Vacuum-compatible cleaning
• Class 1000 / 100 cleanroom packaging
• Degreasing
• Particle-free packaging
• Separate protection for optics