When should I use 4-axis machining instead of 3-axis?

Choose 4-axis when your part has features on multiple sides, needs curved surfaces, or requires tight alignment across sides. It cuts setup time, reduces errors, and lowers cost for complex parts.

What tolerances can you achieve with 4-axis machining?

We hold standard tolerances of ±0.01mm (±0.0004in) for most parts. Tighter tolerances down to ±0.005mm are available upon request.

What materials do you work with?

We machine all common metals including aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, copper, titanium, and engineering plastics like ABS, PC, POM, PEEK, and nylon.

Do you keep my designs confidential?

Yes. All customer files and designs are treated as strictly confidential. We are happy to sign NDAs before you share any sensitive information.

What is your lead time for 4-axis machined parts?

Standard lead time is 3-7 business days for prototypes and low-volume runs. Production runs take 7-15 days depending on quantity and complexity. Expedited options are available.

Can you handle both prototypes and production?

Absolutely. We support one-off prototypes, small bridge runs, and full production volumes up to 100,000+ parts from our China factory. No strict MOQ.

4 Axis Machining | China Manufacturer & Supplier

4 Axis CNC Machining China manufacturer factory — Our 4-axis CNC machines produce precision parts with fewer setups

Many suppliers use standard 3-axis machines for complex parts. That means multiple setups, manual repositioning, alignment errors, longer lead times, and higher costs for you.

YiguProto is your trusted China manufacturer and supplier of 4-axis CNC machining services. Our factory uses advanced 4-axis equipment to cut parts from all sides in one setup. No re-fixturing. No alignment mistakes. Just consistent quality at factory-direct prices.

Cut multi-side parts in a single setup, reduce errors by 80%
Shorter lead times: parts ship in as fast as 3 days
Factory-direct pricing, save 30-50% vs local suppliers
Free DFM analysis from our experienced engineers before production
Full inspection reports with every order

Upload Your Drawing for a Free Quote Discuss Your Project

Standard 3-axis CNC machines move in three directions: left/right (X), front/back (Y), and up/down (Z). They work great for simple, flat parts.

4-axis CNC machining adds a fourth movement: rotation around the X-axis. We call this the A-axis. The workpiece spins while the cutter works, so we can reach all sides of your part without stopping to reposition it.

Think of it like holding a part and rotating it in your hand while you carve. You don't need to put it down and pick it up again. That means:

No alignment errors from multiple setups
Faster production times
Better accuracy across all sides of the part
Ability to make complex curved shapes you can't do on 3-axis
Lower cost for parts with multiple sides

As an experienced 4-axis machining company in China, we use this technology every day to make precision parts for customers worldwide.

When You Need 4-Axis Machining

Parts with holes or features on 2+ sides
Cylindrical parts with slots or holes around the diameter
Curved surfaces or complex contours
Parts requiring tight alignment across sides
Shafts, cams, gears, and manifold blocks
Parts where you need to reduce setup time and cost

Not sure if you need 4-axis? Send us your drawing. Our engineers will recommend the most cost-effective process for your part.

Get a Free DFM Review

Specification	Capability	Notes
Machine Type	Vertical 4-axis CNC machining centers	High-precision equipment maintained daily
Maximum Part Size	1000 × 600 × 500 mm (39.4 × 23.6 × 19.7 in)	Larger parts available on request
Rotary Axis Diameter Capacity	Ø300 mm (Ø11.8 in)	Full 360° rotation
Standard Tolerance	±0.01 mm (±0.0004 in)	DIN 2768 medium standard
Precision Tolerance	±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in)	Available for critical features
Surface Finish (as-machined)	Ra 1.6–3.2 μm (Ra 63–126 μin)	Standard finish
Surface Finish (polished)	Ra 0.2–0.8 μm (Ra 8–32 μin)	For cosmetic or high-precision needs
Wall Thickness (minimum)	0.5 mm (0.02 in) for metals, 1.0 mm (0.04 in) for plastics	Depends on material and geometry
Lead Time	3–7 business days (prototypes), 7–15 days (production)	Expedited services available
Maximum Quantity	1 – 100,000+ parts	No strict MOQ, support prototypes to mass production

Fewer Setups, Fewer Mistakes

Machine 4 sides of a part in one setup. No manual repositioning means no alignment errors. Your parts come out right the first time.

Better Accuracy & Consistency

When you don't move the part between setups, features line up perfectly every time. Hold tighter tolerances across all sides.

Shorter Lead Times

Less setup time means faster production. Get complex parts in days, not weeks. Meet your project deadlines without rushing.

Lower Total Cost

Fewer labor hours for setup, less scrap from errors, faster cycle times. We pass these savings directly to you with factory-direct pricing.

Complex Geometry Made Easy

Make curved surfaces, helical features, off-axis holes, and cylindrical parts that are impossible or too expensive on 3-axis machines.

Better Surface Finishes

Continuous rotation lets us use optimal cutting angles on all surfaces. You get smoother finishes with less post-processing needed.

Metals

Aluminum (6061, 7075, 5052, 2024) - Most popular, lightweight, good strength-to-weight
Stainless Steel (304, 316, 17-4, 420) - Corrosion resistant, strong, for medical and food use
Steel (1018, 1045, 4140, A36) - Strong, tough, for industrial and structural parts
Brass & Copper (C360, C110) - Excellent machinability, conductive, corrosion resistant
Titanium (Grade 2, Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V) - High strength, lightweight, biocompatible
Other Alloys - Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy for high-temperature applications

Engineering Plastics

ABS - Tough, impact resistant, low cost for general use
PC (Polycarbonate) - Clear, strong, impact resistant
POM (Delrin/Acetal) - Excellent machinability, low friction, tight tolerances
PA (Nylon) - Tough, wear resistant, good for bearings and gears
PEEK - High performance, chemical resistant, medical grade
PMMA (Acrylic) - Clear, cosmetic parts, lenses
Other Plastics - PP, PE, PTFE, PSU, PPS available on request

Need a material not listed? Contact our team and we'll source it for you.

Factor	3-Axis Machining	4-Axis Machining	5-Axis Machining
Axes Movement	X, Y, Z only	X, Y, Z + rotary A-axis	X, Y, Z + two rotary axes
Number of Setups for Multi-Side Parts	2-6 setups (manual reposition)	1-2 setups	1 setup for any side
Best For	Simple flat parts, single-side features	Multi-side parts, cylinders, cams	Extremely complex geometry, impellers
Accuracy	Good for single side, alignment errors across setups	Excellent, very consistent across sides	Highest, perfect for ultra-complex parts
Lead Time	Fast for simple parts, slow for multi-side	Fast for multi-side parts	Longer setup/programming time
Cost	Lowest for simple parts, expensive for multi-side	Best value for multi-side parts	Highest cost, for complex parts only
Recommendation	Use only if all features are on one side	Best choice for 90% of multi-side parts	Only use when you truly need full 5-axis capability

Our engineers will recommend the most cost-effective process for your specific part. You don't pay for more capability than you need.

Let Us Recommend the Right Process

Automotive & Racing

Engine components, brackets, shafts, pulleys, suspension parts, intake manifolds, custom racing parts.

Aerospace & Defense

Turbine components, structural brackets, hydraulic parts, fittings, and precision components that meet strict standards.

Medical Devices

Surgical instruments, implant components, medical device housings, lab equipment parts (with material traceability).

Industrial Machinery

Gears, cams, shafts, valve bodies, manifold blocks, fixtures, jigs, and custom machine components.

Electronics & Robotics

Housings, heat sinks, connectors, robot joints, sensor mounts, and precision electronic components.

Oil & Gas / Energy

Valve components, connectors, downhole tool parts, and high-strength components for harsh environments.

Common parts made with 4-axis machining: Shafts, cams, gears, pulleys, manifold blocks, valve bodies, hydraulic components, cylindrical parts with side features, impellers, and fixtures.

1

Send Your Design

Upload your STEP, STP, IGES, or SolidWorks files. Tell us quantity, material, finish, and deadline.

2

Get Quote & DFM in 24h

We send a clear, itemized quote within 24 hours. Includes free DFM feedback to save you money.

3

Approve & Start Production

Approve the quote, pay the deposit, and we start machining immediately in our China factory.

4

Machining & Quality Control

Parts are machined on our 4-axis centers. Every part goes through strict in-process and final inspection.

5

Ship Worldwide to You

We package parts carefully and ship via DHL, FedEx, UPS, or sea freight. Tracking provided.

Start Your Order Now

Pre-Production Review

Every design goes through DFM review before we start. We catch potential issues early, before they become problems.

In-Process Inspection

Operators check dimensions at every step. We use calibrated calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and CMM equipment.

Final Inspection

QC team inspects every part against your drawing before packaging. We check dimensions, surface finish, and appearance.

Inspection Reports

Full material certificates and dimension inspection reports available with every order. You know exactly what you're getting.

We are ISO 9001 certified. Our quality processes meet international standards for precision manufacturing.

15+ Years Experience - Our engineering team has decades of combined CNC machining experience.
Factory Direct - You work directly with our factory, no middlemen, no trading company markup.
Modern Equipment - 20+ high-precision 4-axis CNC machining centers in our own factory.
Competitive Pricing - Factory-direct China pricing saves you 30-50% compared to Western suppliers.
Fast Lead Times - As fast as 3 days for prototypes, 7 days for production runs.
No MOQ - We accept orders from 1 piece prototype to 100,000+ piece production.
Free DFM - Every quote includes free design for manufacturing feedback.
Confidentiality - We sign NDAs and protect all your designs and intellectual property.
English Support - Our sales engineers speak fluent English, no communication issues.
One-Stop Service - Machining, surface finishing, assembly, shipping - we handle it all.

Get a Free No-Obligation Quote Learn More About Our Factory

YiguProto at a Glance

Founded: 2010
Factory Size: 5,000+ sqm facility
CNC Machines: 60+ total, 20+ 4-axis
Engineers: 25+ experienced engineering staff
Countries Served: 50+ worldwide
On-Time Delivery Rate: 98.5%
Certification: ISO 9001:2015
Inspection: Full CMM inspection capability

As Machined

Standard finish after machining. Good for most industrial parts where appearance is not critical.

Anodizing

Clear, black, or colored anodizing for aluminum parts. Corrosion resistant, durable, cosmetic.

Bead Blasting

Uniform matte finish. Removes tool marks, creates a smooth, consistent surface appearance.

Powder Coating

Durable, protective finish available in any color. Great for outdoor use and heavy-wear parts.

Plating

Zinc, nickel, chrome, tin, or gold plating. Corrosion protection, improved conductivity, cosmetic.

Passivation / Polishing

For stainless steel parts. Improves corrosion resistance. Polishing for cosmetic or food-grade use.

View all available surface finishes →

What is 4-axis CNC machining?

4-axis CNC machining adds a rotating axis (A-axis) to standard 3-axis machining. This lets us cut parts from multiple angles in one setup. We don't need to stop and reposition the part manually, which improves accuracy and reduces lead time.

When should I use 4-axis instead of 3-axis machining?

Choose 4-axis when your part has features on multiple sides, needs curved surfaces, has cylindrical features with holes/slots around the diameter, or requires tight alignment between sides. 4-axis reduces setups, lowers cost, and improves accuracy for these parts compared to 3-axis.

How fast can I get a quote?

Send us your STEP, STP, or IGES files along with your requirements. Most quotes come back within 6 hours on business days, and guaranteed within 24 hours. Every quote includes free DFM feedback from our engineers.

What tolerances can you hold on 4-axis machined parts?

Our standard tolerance is ±0.01mm (±0.0004 inches) for most features. We can hold tighter tolerances down to ±0.005mm (±0.0002 inches) for critical features when specified. We follow ISO 2768 standards unless you request otherwise.

What file formats do you accept?

We accept all common CAD formats including STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs, .iges), SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm), AutoCAD (.dwg, .dxf), Parasolid (.x_t), and STL. STEP format is preferred for fastest quoting.

Do you sign NDAs?

Absolutely. We understand that your designs are your intellectual property. We are happy to sign a mutual NDA before you share any sensitive files or information. All customer data is kept strictly confidential.

What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

There is no strict MOQ for our 4-axis machining service. We regularly produce single-part prototypes, small bridge runs of 10-100 pieces, and full production runs of 100,000+ parts. Order exactly the quantity you need.

What is your typical lead time?

Prototype and low-volume orders typically ship in 3-7 business days. Production runs (100+ parts) typically ship in 7-15 business days depending on quantity and complexity. Expedited services are available for urgent projects - contact us to discuss your deadline.

Do you provide inspection reports?

Yes. We provide full dimension inspection reports and material certificates upon request at no extra cost. All parts are inspected against your drawing before shipment. For critical parts, we can provide CMM inspection reports.

What shipping options do you offer?

We ship worldwide via DHL, FedEx, UPS for fast delivery (3-5 days door to door). For larger orders we offer economical sea freight or air freight options. We can also ship to your freight forwarder in China if you prefer.

4 Axis CNC Machining Service

Tired of multi-setup errors, high costs, and late deliveries?

What is 4-Axis CNC Machining?