How It Works
From CAD File to Finished Part
A transparent seven-step process engineered to be fast, honest, and stress-free. Standard lead time: 5–10 business days. No surprises, no excuses.
Step 01
Upload Your Design
Send your CAD file in any standard format. Our engineers review it for manufacturability before any quote is generated.
- Accepted formats: STEP (.stp / .step), IGES (.igs / .iges), DXF, DWG, SolidWorks (.sldprt), CATIA, technical drawing PDF
- If you only have a sketch or sample part — no CAD — our reverse engineering team can create a STEP file for you
- All files received under NDA by default. Your design IP is never shared
- Upload via our quote page, email to Chenny@orangeseacnc.com, or WhatsApp for smaller files
Step 02
Engineering Review & DFM
A qualified engineer — not a pricing algorithm — reviews every drawing. We flag any features that would be unmachinable, unnecessarily expensive, or likely to cause tolerance stack-up issues.
- DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback included free with every quote
- Typical flags: internal radii too small for practical tooling, tolerances tighter than necessary for function, thread spec anomalies, surface finish inconsistencies
- We suggest alternatives where we can save you money without compromising function
- If drawings are missing information (undefined tolerances, missing material spec), we contact you within 4 hours rather than guessing
Step 03
Detailed Quote — 24 Hours
You receive a full breakdown — per-piece price, setup cost, material cost, finishing cost, and lead time — within 24 hours of upload. No range quotes, no hidden adders.
- Quote includes: unit price at your requested quantity, per-piece price at higher quantities, setup/programming charge (amortised across the run), material grade and source, finishing specification, lead time, shipping estimate
- Volume pricing shown automatically — order 100 pieces vs 500 pieces and see the saving
- Lead time quoted per job, not from a template. Complex 5-axis parts take longer than simple turning
- Quote valid for 30 days. Materials prices can shift — we flag this if it affects a repeat order
Step 04
Order Confirmation & Programming
Once you approve the quote, your job enters our production queue with a confirmed delivery date. Our CAM programmers write the toolpath, select tooling, and define fixture strategy.
- Production date confirmed in writing — no 'approximate' delivery windows
- CAM programming done in-house by engineers who understand the drawings, not just the toolpath
- Fixturing designed to minimise setups and maintain datum integrity across all machined features
- If a critical dimension is flagged in review that requires drawing clarification, we contact you before programming begins — never after machining
Step 05
Precision Machining
Your parts are machined on our modern 5-axis CNC centres with live QC monitoring. First-off inspection is performed before any production run continues.
- 18 CNC machining centres: 3-axis vertical mills, 4-axis horizontal mills, simultaneous 5-axis centres, and high-precision CNC lathes
- First-off inspection: every job — the very first part is fully measured before the production run proceeds
- In-process gauging: critical bore diameters and turning diameters are gauged every N pieces depending on tolerance
- 24-hour production capability: urgent jobs run night shifts with our production team
- CCTV-monitored workshop: customers can request video confirmation of machining for sensitive aerospace and medical orders
Step 06
Inspection & Quality Sign-Off
Every finished batch passes through our Quality department. Critical dimensions are verified on our ZEISS CMM. Full documentation is prepared before any parts ship.
- CMM inspection: ZEISS coordinate measuring machine used for critical features — positional tolerances, true position, profile
- Surface finish: Ra measurements taken with contact profilometer where specified
- Documentation package: Dimensional Inspection Report, Certificate of Conformance (CoC), Material Test Report (MTR), finishing certs
- Aerospace and medical orders: First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) available
- Any out-of-tolerance dimension triggers immediate hold and engineering review — parts are never shipped with known deviations without written customer approval
Step 07
Packing & Worldwide Shipping
Parts are cleaned, protected with VCI packaging or appropriate packing material, and shipped via DHL Express, FedEx, or sea freight with full export documentation.
- Packing: precision parts individually wrapped in VCI film, nested in foam-cut trays or bubble wrap, outer carton reinforced for courier
- Couriers: DHL Express (3–5 days door-to-door to most countries), FedEx, and sea freight for large/heavy shipments
- Export documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, country of origin certificate, material certificates, all formatted for customs clearance
- Tracking number shared same day as shipment with link to live tracking
- Incoterms: EXW, FOB, DDP available — we can arrange door-to-door delivery where required
File Formats
Accepted CAD Formats
We work with all common CAD formats. No CAD file? Send us a sketch, a sample part, or a technical drawing PDF and we will take it from there.
Process FAQs
What if I don't have a CAD file?
Can you handle small quantities — like 5 or 10 pieces?
What happens if a part is out of tolerance?
Can I track my order?
Do you offer expedited lead times?
What certifications come with my parts?
Start the Process —
Upload Your File Today
Step 1 takes 2 minutes. Upload your STEP or DXF, describe your requirements, and our engineers take it from there.