CNC milling is a process that creates final parts from solid blocks of plastic and metal by subtractive processing. The process follows your CAD file, which is optimized to make a physical copy of your digital design.

Milling involves various operations and machines, from small individual parts to large, heavy milling operations. It is one of the most common processes for making custom parts with precise tolerances. In CNC milling, the workpiece is fixed in a rigid vise or fixture on a table. This table can move in two axes by swiveling and pivoting. A cutting tool on a rotating spindle removes material to create different complex geometries and part features on the workpiece. A multiple-axis milling machine, such as our Hermle 5-axis milling center, has an advantage that the table and spindle can move in multiple independent axis, which provides not only accuracy and repeatability, but also versatility.