The Only Guide You Need for Low Volume Production Machining

One of the biggest struggles when manufacturing custom parts is balancing costs without compromising quality. Many companies turn to low volume production machining services when they need to produce these parts in quantities under 1000 pieces.

But what happens when your order volumes increase? Or when your CFO demands lower cost per part? When is low-volume CNC machining the most cost-effective option? In this guide, we’ll answer those questions for you and provide you a framework to evaluate production options.

What Is Low Volume Production Machining

Low volume production machining/short-run CNC machining refers to CNC machining runs between 1 and 1000 units. Unlike injection molding or stamping. Low volume CNC machining doesn’t require hard tooling. Because of this, it allows for faster iteration cycles/fewer upfront investments.

When Should You Use Low Volume Production Machining?

1. New Product Launch

Launching a new product means uncertainty. Low volume CNC machining allows you to test real components in the market, without committing to high tooling costs. It’s one of the fastest routes from CAD to a real-world part.

2. High Variety, Low Volume Products

There are industries that require highly customised or low-demand parts. For example, aerospace, medical devices and industrial equipment. Low volume production machining supports these SKUs with minimal setup costs, and offers a scalable solution, without bloated inventories.

3. Speed to Market

CNC machining for low to medium volume production enables rapid delivery. Thereby, cutting your time-to-market. For companies in competitive sectors. Speed can be the deciding factor between success and failure.

4. Cost Containment

For short-run applications, there’s no need for any molds or dies. That way, you’ll reduce the initial capital expenditure to produce the parts. You can shift between setups, swap materials, or test designs without financial risk. This makes short run CNC machining ideal for cost-sensitive R&D or bridge production.

5. Bridge to Full-Scale Production

Before committing to high-volume manufacturing, it’s smart to validate design, fit, and function. Low volume CNC machining acts as a bridge between prototype and full-scale production. It offers flexibility and design feedback before locking in final tooling.

How to Monitor Costs in Low Volume CNC Machining

Low volume CNC machining isn’t always cheap per unit. But you can control total project costs by optimising five key areas:

• Material Selection: Work with your supplier to find the most machinable alloy or plastic for the required properties. Thereby, reducing your cycle time and tool wear.
• Tolerance Optimisation: Many engineers default to tight tolerances, even when they’re not necessary. Remember that strict tolerances across all features will raise your quote.
• Setup and Fixturing: Complex setups drive up cost. Ask your machine shop about combining operations or redesigning features for better fixture access. Fewer setups = lower per-part cost.
• Batch Size: Find the optimal run size. Ordering 5 units might cost $100/unit. But ordering 50 may drop it to $30/unit. You can submit a request at Haizol marketplace to get pricing for your parts and desired volume from verified factores in Asia.
• Post-Processing: Surface finishes, anodizing, painting, and part marking can double your lead time and cost. Only specify secondary processes that are required for functionality or important for end-use appearance.
  
  

When to Scale to High Volume Production?

Low volume CNC machining is best for flexibility. But there’s a tipping point.

Here's when it might be time to scale:

• You need thousands of identical parts per month.
• Your design is locked, and changes are unlikely to be made.
• Unit cost becomes critical to profitability.
• You can afford the lead time and cost of hard tooling

In that case, you may want to consider:

• Plastic parts -> Injection molding
• Metal parts -> Progressive die stamping
• High-volume Aluminium Parts -> Die casting

 

Conclusion: The Only Guide You Need for Low Volume Production Machining

Low volume production machining bridges the gap between prototyping and full-scale manufacturing. It’s ideal for prototyping, pilot production, and niche applications that demand speed and flexibility.

If you're sourcing custom machined parts, knowing when to use low volume production (And when to scale up) can save you thousands. One of the biggest factors is cost per unit. On Haizol’s, you can submit one RFQ and compare quotes from verified factories for both low- and high-volume CNC machining, helping you make an informed, cost-effective decision.