CNC Machining

Here at Highfield Gears, we offer a wide range of engineering solutions and systems to ensure your gearboxes run smoothly and are repaired quickly if something happens. From gearbox reconditioning to repairs and upgrades, we have been helping all types of businesses with our engineering methods.

And, because we have been around since 1927, we have seen technology and business requirements change drastically which is why we're proud to offer cutting-edge CNC machining services.

This investment in mechanical CNC machining has allowed us to help a variety of companies with their sub-contract machining needs. If you’re a business or organisation and need custom precision machining, boring, milling or turning on any number of materials then get in touch with the team here at Highfield Gears. From a simple design, we can help you create any number of machinery parts all you have to do is give us a call on 01484 531 010 or email us at [email protected].

What Is A CNC Machine?

Mechanical CNC machining is a metal fabrication method that involves inputting coded instructions that control all the machinery in any given manufacturing process. The code that is inputted into the software program will determine every aspect from the cutting head and spindle speed to the RPM. Most types of CNC machines go through what’s called a subtractive manufacturing process where layers of material are removed by the CNC machining process. The opposite of this is called additive manufacturing, where a variety of materials are added – the most common example of this is 3D Printing.

CNC processes can be used to control a whole host of complex industrial components and equipment across the manufacturing production line such as grinders, lathes, mills and routers. The entire CNC process runs differently and supersedes the limitations of manual control. This means that a CNC’s advanced capabilities remove the need for live operators to guide machining tools. A CNC’s techniques remove one of the main challenges of machining, milling and more formative manufacturing processes and unlock the ability to create a range of products, using a range of materials, that just wouldn’t be possible if it was made by a human hand.

How Does A CNC Machine Work?

Back in the 1950s and ’60s, CNC machines were operated by punching holes into cards which were fed into the programme as inputs. When this was done at MIT (Massachusetts Institute for Technology) there was one instance where the early programmes reduced a typical milling job from 8 hours to just 15 minutes!

Contemporary CNC machining processes are now entirely run on software which improves their accuracy, speed of operations and allows cutting to be done with even greater precision and speed. All they require to create the design are digital files that have instructions, custom cutting trajectories and tooling.

Even the most standard processes will require different tools or products and will use a wide range of applications, technologies and machining services. The great thing about the CNC machining process is that you can create a whole host of software instructions that align with physical machines. This means that at any time during the CNC machining process the machinery can switch to different tools, operations or applications seamlessly. This allows for a wide range of machinery to be used concurrently all from the comfort of a desktop computer.

The process starts with designing the parts in a computer-aided design (CAD) software programme. The eventual 3D model determines the custom dimensions and properties of the final part, regardless of the material that it is made out of. Then, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) takes over and prepares the design for the fabrication process, checks it for errors and finally creates a CNC program that will design the physical part. This CAM program is kind of like setting coordinates that guide the cutting head during the CNC machining process. Then, a wide variety of custom properties such as cutting speed, movement, RPM, diameter and thickness are inputted. Finally, the CAM software determines the orientation and placement of parts relative to the raw material – be that metal, plastic or steel, the purpose of this is to maximise material usage.

What Does CNC Machine Stand For?

CNC stands for computer numerical control. Computer numerical control is a term that, as we’ve looked at, references automated specialist machinery that can remove material from a piece of stock. This material can be anything from metal to plastic to wood.

Our CNC Machining Capabilities

At Highfield Gears, we're passionate about the benefits that the CNC machining process can offer such as speed, accuracy and the ability to customize settings. As a leading Highfield Gears and trusted CNC Machine Specialist, modern-day CNC machining technologies can open up a world of new possibilities for businesses that are looking to create new parts through reliable Industrial CNC machining and advanced CNC manufacturing services.

From the moment you get in touch with our CNC machining company and CNC machining services team, we’ll work hard to understand your needs and how our systems can help you. We’ll take your technical designs, 2D or 3D CAD drawings and run them through our CNC machining process to create computer code which our CNC machines interpret and then perform tasks such as milling, boring and turning that are based on those sets of instructions.

The fully automated nature of our CNC machines allows us to create more complex, quality parts with greater dimensional accuracy and more specific specifications. Also, the entire CNC process allows for greater consistency in parts production which is almost impossible to replicate with the human hand, however good that individual might be.

As well as being able to make highly detailed cuts out of materials for businesses across a variety of industries, there are some other tools and components that can be used within CNC systems, these include:

Cylindrical grinders
Laser cutters
3D Printers

Our team are experts with CNC machining, cutting, milling and turning and will ensure the entire process goes smoothly. We’ll make sure the right code is programmed and the machine functions in the way that it has been told to by the software, while continuing to deliver a reliable and cheap CNC Machining Service tailored to your requirements.

Subsea

A sector of the oil and gas market our team can machine subsea actuators. Here at Highfield Gears, we understand the demands placed on subsea machining and can manufacture, repair or upgrade plenty of applications and equipment in this sector. With over 45,000 employees and around 650 companies in this sector alone we understand that the pressure on businesses to remain competitive and avoid downtime is crucial and can be the difference between success and failure. We channel all our knowledge and expertise to help subsea companies by fixing and upgrading their machinery to ensure they can focus on business goals.

Sub-Contracting

We also have a CNC sub-contracting option available for businesses and organisations that need access to equipment of this type. Once details have been finalised our team will be able to create anything from valve bodies and valve bonnets to gear case machining. A lot of companies enjoy the flexibility of being able to use our CNC machines on a subcontract basis and our expert team will be on hand to run the entire process. We’re able to work from drawings or reverse engineer parts from samples that you provide us and we can do all this while offering super fast turnaround times as well as 24/7 emergency service if you suffer a breakdown or need replacement parts outside of typical business hours.

Our CNC Machines: Their Capacities And Capabilities

MCM Progress 1 Twin Pallet Horizontal Machining Center

Twin Pallets 700 DIA

X-Axis: 1700mm

Y-Axis: 800mm

Z-Axis: 700mm

Table Load: 10 Tonnes

Pallet Rotation Load: 1.5 Tonnes

Pallet Positioning Only Every 1 Deg.

Boring Diameter From 6mm To 400mm.

Scharmann Twin Pallet Horizontal Machining Center

Twin Pallets: 800mm X 650mm

X-Axis: 1230mm

Y-Axis: 1000mm

Z-Axis: 830mm

Table Load: 2 Tonnes

Pallet Rotation Load: 1.5 Tonnes

Pallet Rotation Mill Or Positioning Infinite Variable.

Boring Diameters From 6mm To 400mm.

Cincinnati Sabre 150 Vertical Machining Center

Table Size: 1630mm X 750mm

X-Axis: 1500mm

Y-Axis: 760mm

Z-Axis: 820mm

Table Load: 1.5 Tonnes

Boring Diameter From 6mm To 400mm.

Mazak Integrex 50 Control Turning Center

Hydraulic Chuck Max: 700mm

Between Centres: 1000mm

60 Station Tool Changer: 30 Turning/30 Milling

Max Load: 0.5 Tonnes

XYZ Proturn SLX 5551.75m Prototrak SLX Control

Swing Over Bed: 560mm

Spindle Bore: 104mm

Distance Between Centres: 1750mm

Max 1800rpm

XYZ Proturn SLX 425 2m Prototrak SLX Control

3&4 Jaw Chuck Manual.

Between Centres: 2000mm

Max Diameter: 480mm

Max Load: 0.5 Tonnes

CNC Machining Services

We are CNC machine services specialists in the UK, offering CNC machining, cutting, milling and turning to ensure rapid production of parts in larger & smaller volumes.

CNC machining services

Whether you are searching for ‘CNC machining near me’ or ‘CNC machining services near me’, we offer end-to-end CNC machining services, UK-wide at affordable prices. Highfield Gears and Machining Ltd are proud to offer a wide range of heavy duty and one-off CNC machining services alongside our gear manufacturing and industrial gearbox repair services. Our in-house machine shop and extensive supply chain mean we can provide the complete solution to your industrial machinery needs!

Our Large Heavy Duty CNC Machining Services

At Highfield Gears, we continue to invest in advanced technologies that keep us ahead as a leading Highfield Gears and trusted CNC machining company. Our extensive machining capabilities allow us to manufacture everything from small precision components to parts weighing up to 10 tons. With the ability to turn, mill, drill, keyway, and perform both horizontal and vertical machining operations, we deliver reliable engineering solutions for demanding industries worldwide.

Working from technical drawings and advanced CAD/CAM software, our experienced team delivers precision-engineered components across a wide range of materials, including Inconel, Duplex, Super Duplex, Bronze, and more. As a recognised CNC machine specialist UK, we combine engineering expertise with modern machinery to produce accurate, high-performance components tailored to your application.

Our fully integrated in-house turning and milling operations support both low-volume and high-volume production requirements. Backed by skilled, time-served engineers with extensive manufacturing knowledge, we provide flexible and cost-effective CNC manufacturing services designed around your exact specifications. Whether you require one-off prototypes or repeat production runs, we can deliver a reliable and cheap CNC Machining Service without compromising on quality or precision.

If you are looking for a dependable supplier of CNC-machined metal components with fast turnaround times, our extensive in-house capacity ensures every project is handled efficiently and professionally. Our expertise in Industrial CNC machining allows us to support industries globally with precision components manufactured to the highest standards.

Whether you are searching for a “CNC machine service near me” or require specialist machining support for international operations, Highfield Gears can support projects of all sizes from large production batches to one-off prototypes.

Gear Products – Service, Quality & Reliability from Highfield Gears

Our specialist engineers can inspect and assess any gearbox brand, providing a complete analysis of gearbox condition, identifying root causes of failure, and recommending the most effective repair solutions. With extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities, we can produce internal gearbox components, CNC machine replacement parts, and reline gearcase bores to minimise downtime and reduce operational costs.

Using decades of engineering knowledge and design expertise dating back to 1927, we deliver gearbox overhauls and upgrades for virtually any power transmission brand or model. Our archived drawings, patterns, and manufacturing experience allow us to re-engineer and enhance gearbox systems to improve performance, increase capacity, and extend operational lifespan.

When rapid turnaround is essential, we supply industrial gearbox spares quickly and efficiently using existing serial numbers and specifications. We can also re-engineer replacement gears for all types of industrial gearboxes, including helical, spur, planetary, bevel, bevel-helical, and worm gear systems.

Our team can redesign and upgrade spare gears to align with evolving production demands, increased operating capacity, and process performance requirements. Using only premium-grade materials and advanced hardening techniques, we manufacture original spare parts, re-engineered components, and Highfield branded replacements that help reduce downtime while maintaining maximum equipment reliability.

We offer:

High-quality materials including full traceability ISO9001:2015 certification provided upon request through our experienced CNC Machine Specialist team.
Identification of critical components to ensure you have a stock of critical spares that can be held at our works or in your stores.
A full range of spares available for the Highfield brand, re-engineering spares for ANY type of industrial gearbox.
CAD/CAM facilities to draw up and create records for gearbox spares where drawings are no longer available to help build up your IP inventory.
Manufacturing of helical, bevel, worm, planetary, spur gears and splined shafts, rack and pinions and gear couplings.

We can overhaul and upgrade all types of industrial gearboxes up to 20 tonnes at our modern 16,500sq ft engineering facility in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

We can overhaul and upgrade all types of industrial gearboxes up to 20 tonnes at our modern 16,500sq ft engineering facility in Huddersfield, while also offering a reliable Cheap CNC Machining Service for a wide range of industrial applications.

FAQs

A computer numerical control lathe is a machine that turns material around a central spindle and stationary cutting tool. Your material’s movement is dictated by coded instructions fed through a computer rather than operated with manual labour. Multiple steps can be programmed at once, so your material doesn’t have to leave the lathe between manufacturing, guaranteeing correct placement for cuts.

CNC machining is a subtractive process that uses computer-controlled cutting tools to remove material from metal base materials to create a finished product. Here at Highfield Gears & Machining, our expert team of engineers use advanced CNC machinery and CAM software to manufacture parts and components to tight tolerances and specifications requested by our customers.

Computer Numerical Control milling, or CNC milling for short, is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses computer numerical control (CNC) to operate cutting tools. A CNC machine program is a machine-readable format of a computer-aided design file that instructs these tools to remove material from a workpiece, usually a metal block to create the final product.

CNC sliding head turning is a variation of traditional lathe, turning where the workpiece moves on the z-axis with the machine tooling staying stationary, allowing for greater precision and faster turnaround times. CNC sliding head turning is perfect if you need parts and components with intricate details in high volume with fast turnaround times.

Highfield Gears has direct access links to all major national transport networks, enabling us to offer a same-day collection, strip, and reporting service with our dedicated vehicles. With a history spanning nearly 100 years, we have designed and manufactured a vast range of industrial gearboxes in many industries across the globe. Our expertise delivered gearboxes, gear components and CNC machined parts and services needed to perform in the harshest of environments and always with the needs of our customers at the heart of everything that we create. Get in touch today to see how we can help you with your large CNC service needs or any CNC specialist machining services you require.

CNC machining is a level of precision, consistency and efficiency that traditional manufacturing simply cannot match. They're programmed with set computer software and are capable of creating parts with exceptionally close tolerances, which is why they're essential in industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical manufacturing, where human error can be deadly. CNC machines can be used to produce continuously without any breaks, while manual processes require a lot of time and labor. Another benefit of working with a qualified CNC Machine Specialist is material flexibility, as metals, plastics and composites can all be molded to specific requirements.

CNC machining is one of the most versatile manufacturing processes today, and is used in almost every major industry. In the aerospace industry, it is employed in manufacturing high precision turbine blades, engine mounts, and fuel system parts, where even the smallest deviation from accuracy compromises performance.In the aerospace field, it's applied in making turbine blades, engine mounts, and fuel system components that require absolute accuracy, not even a speck of error. It is used extensively in the automotive industry in the manufacture of engine blocks, transmission housings and brake rotors.

Prices will vary depending on the various factors that are critical to CNC machining, such as the machine, material, complexity of the part, tolerances, and order volume. Rates are generally $50 to $150, or more, and setup fees can begin at $50 for jobs that are not multi-axis in nature and more than $1,000 for multi-axis jobs. Material selection is of critical importance: Aluminum is still among the most cost-effective materials, but harder materials, such as titanium and stainless steel, require more time for machining and wear of the tools.

CNCs are precision designed for long and heavy duty work. Careful upkeep and maintenance can extend the useful life of most high-quality machines to 15 to 20 years; many well-maintained machines can operate for 30 years or more. Build quality, usage intensity, operating environment and regularity of maintenance routines are important factors determining lifespan. Machine life is greatly influenced by the use of proper lubrication, spindle servicing, management of the coolant, software upgrades and operating in a clean, climate controlled environment.

If you’re based in the UK in areas such as Aberdeen, Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham or anywhere else in Europe and need CNC machining experts to help you with any milling, turning or boring of parts then be sure to get in touch with the team here at Highfield Gears today by phone on 01484 531 010, or email us at [email protected]. Our expertise and nine decades worth of experience make us confident that we can help you repair, recondition or upgrade your gearbox, no matter how old it is or what competitor brand made it.