Stepped shafts
Specify the locating diameters, shoulders and datum axis. Show any cross-holes or flats and identify the surfaces that contact another component.
Titanium shafts, sleeves, brackets and machined components
Bushings and sleeves
Define the bore, outside diameter and end-face requirements together. Include the mating material and any friction, cleaning or surface-treatment restrictions.
Flanges and connectors
Identify the locating diameter, bolt pattern and sealing face. For fluid-contact parts, include the operating environment and any required acceptance tests.
Mounting brackets
Mark the faces and holes that locate the bracket in the assembly. Share load-critical features, edge requirements and any areas where a design change is permitted.
Precision mounting plates
Show the hole pattern, flatness and parallelism requirements. Identify the inspection support condition and surfaces that must remain free from handling marks.
Multi-port machined blocks
Include intersecting bores, thread details and internal edge requirements. Discuss access for machining, cleaning and inspection before releasing the drawing.
Grade 2, Grade 5 or Grade 23 titanium?
Grade 2: commercially pure titanium
Grade 2 is commercially pure titanium, used in industrial equipment where corrosion resistance and formability matter. It is a different material specification from Ti-6Al-4V. [1]
- Material family
- Commercially pure titanium
- What to specify
- Provide the product standard, stock form and supply condition. Describe the process fluid, temperature and any joining requirements rather than assuming the grade suits every environment.
Grade 5: Ti-6Al-4V
Grade 5 is the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. It is widely used for mechanical components where strength and weight are important; its properties depend on the material condition and processing history. [2]
- Material family
- Titanium alloy with aluminum and vanadium
- What to specify
- State the required material standard and condition. Include load-critical features, finished dimensions and any additional processing or testing requirements.
Grade 23: Ti-6Al-4V ELI
Grade 23 is the extra-low-interstitial variant of Ti-6Al-4V, with tighter limits on certain elements. It should be specified and documented as ELI, not treated as an automatic substitute for Grade 5. [2]
- Material family
- Ti-6Al-4V with controlled interstitial content
- What to specify
- Name the required product standard and certification. A grade designation alone does not establish medical, aerospace or other application approval.
The grades above are a starting point for discussion, not a stock list or a material recommendation. For another grade or a Chinese, ASTM or other specification, provide the exact designation and required edition. Any proposed alternative needs your approval.
Milling and turning titanium to your drawing
CNC milling for pockets and mounting features
Share the CAD model with the dimensioned drawing. The review covers pocket access, internal corners, wall support and the order in which faces and holes are finished. Multi-face work may need more than one setup.
View the Machining ServiceCNC turning for diameters, bores and threads
Identify the datum axis, shoulder positions, thread requirements and mating components. Long or thin sections need a workholding and inspection plan that reflects the finished part, not only how the stock is held.
View the Machining ServiceMulti-axis machining for angled features
For inclined holes and contoured faces, compare practical setup options before specifying a machine type. The proposed route should explain how the required features are reached and checked.
View the Machining ServiceTitanium alloys conduct heat poorly compared with many common machining metals, so heat and tool wear need attention at the cutting edge. Tool choice and cutting conditions must be planned for the actual grade and part. [3]
Define how the titanium part contacts the rest of the assembly
Threads and repeated assembly
Identify both mating materials, thread class and whether the assembly will be opened repeatedly. List permitted lubricants, coatings or inserts so they can be reviewed with the design owner.
Sliding and fitted contact
Describe the contact surface, mating component, load and movement. A smooth appearance does not define an acceptable friction or wear condition; state the required treatment and acceptance criteria.
Sealing and fluid-contact surfaces
Mark the sealing land, surface-finish requirement and internal edges. Specify the service medium and any cleaning, leak-test or residue requirements that must be included in the quoted scope.
Appearance and identification
Separate cosmetic surfaces from functional contact surfaces. Provide a finish specification or approved reference sample and identify any areas that must not be blasted, colored or marked.
No assembly requirement selected.
Design details to resolve before titanium machining
Thin walls and long unsupported sections
Show the smallest wall sections and the faces that may be held during machining. Identify whether flatness or position is measured freely supported or under a specified assembly condition.
Deep pockets and internal corners
A drawing review should resolve tool access, internal radii and features hidden behind other surfaces. Mark which radii can change and which are functionally fixed; do not leave those decisions to an unrecorded assumption.
Small holes, threads and burr-sensitive edges
State full thread depth separately from drilled depth. Identify cross-hole intersections and edges where a burr is unacceptable. Specify the checking method where a feature is difficult to inspect directly.
Material direction and additional processing
Include stock-direction requirements where the design calls for them. Any stress relief, heat treatment, joining or specialist finishing should be part of an agreed route, with final acceptance after the relevant operations.
Which drawing features should we review with you?
No review topics selected.
Titanium part tolerances, fits and surface-finish requirements
| Requirement | What to specify | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Diameters and mating fits | Limit sizes, fit designation, functional datums and the final surface condition. | Confirm the measurement stage and any allowance for a later surface process. |
| Flatness, position and runout | Datum references, affected features and the free-state or supported measurement condition. | Inspect in the agreed setup and report the characteristics that matter to the assembly. |
| Threads and internal features | Thread standard and class, full thread depth, hole intersections and edge requirements. | Agree gauges or another suitable verification method and whether checks follow finishing. |
| Surface texture and treated areas | Roughness parameter, units, surface location, masking and process specification. | Distinguish roughness results from visual appearance and from treatment documentation. |
There is no single tolerance claim for every titanium part. Achievable limits depend on size, geometry, grade, condition and processing. Mark the critical features on the drawing and have them confirmed in the quotation.
Choose a titanium finish for its function, not just its appearance
As-machined and deburred
Specify allowable tool marks, edge breaks and cleanliness. Identify any surfaces that require a measured roughness or additional finishing, rather than relying on “smooth” as the complete instruction.
Define critical edges and packing protection.
Bead-blasted surfaces
For a specified blasted appearance, agree the media, surface zones, masking and reference sample. Keep threads, fitted bores and sealing areas explicitly included or excluded from the process.
Agree appearance separately from dimensions.
Color anodizing
Titanium color anodizing and a functional anti-galling treatment are not the same requirement. Tiodize distinguishes its color-producing Type III process from its anti-galling Type II process. [4]
State the actual specification; color alone is not proof of wear performance.
Functional surface treatments
For friction, wear or another functional requirement, send the approved process specification and acceptance criteria. We will review the specialist route, masking, inspection and production responsibility before quoting.
Specialist treatment is subject to scope and supplier review.
Material traceability and inspection for titanium components
Confirm the material certificate before production
Specify the required material documentation and whether it must be reviewed before the stock is cut. Link the grade, product form and condition to the actual supplied material, not to a general datasheet.
Keep the heat or batch identity with the order
Agree how stock identity is carried through machining, finishing and packing. Request the traceability scope you need in the inquiry; do not assume full serial traceability is included in every order.
Check the finished part against the current drawing
Identify reportable dimensions, sampling and measurement setup. A dimensional report, material certificate and finishing record answer different questions and should be specified separately.
Protect clean surfaces during packing and delivery
Define separation of parts, protection of edges and any restrictions on residues or marking. Agree how to document a discrepancy on arrival and which batch information should accompany it.
From titanium prototypes to repeat production
Prototype the features you need to validate
Identify whether the sample is for fit, assembly or functional testing. Where material properties matter to the test, agree the representative grade and condition instead of changing them simply to obtain a faster sample.
Approve the sample and outstanding requirements
Record drawing changes, finish acceptance and inspection results before releasing a batch. Keep accepted deviations separate from the next controlled drawing so they are not silently carried into production.
Make repeat orders traceable to the approved version
Include the part number, revision, quantity and required records on every release. Tell us when the mating component, application or specification changes, even if the part geometry appears unchanged.
What affects the price of titanium CNC machining?
Grade, stock form and material removal
A quotation should distinguish the material requirement from the machining work. Stock dimensions, certification, excess material and any approved alternative affect how the job is planned.
Access, machining time and secondary work
Deep pockets, small features, multiple setups and extra finishing can change the scope. Request separate options where a permitted design adjustment could simplify machining, without changing a functional requirement.
Inspection, batch quantity and delivery stages
List sample quantities, production quantities, reports and release dates together. Compare quotations for the same grade, finish, inspection scope and delivery responsibility rather than comparing a unit price alone.
Prepare your titanium machining requirements
Send matching CAD and drawing files
Include the part number, revision and units. The drawing should identify critical dimensions and requirements that are not clear from the model. State which file governs if the two differ.
Specify the titanium, not just “Ti”
Use the approved grade, standard, product form and supplied condition. List proposed alternatives separately. When ELI is required, include it in the material callout and required documentation.
Put finishing and inspection in the same inquiry
Provide the surface specification, masking, roughness requirements and records you need. Include sample approvals, application restrictions and the expected delivery condition before the quotation is prepared.
For regulated or safety-critical applications, qualification, approved sources and application-specific documentation require separate confirmation. This page does not claim medical-device or aerospace approval.
Your titanium parts brief
Your selections are a request for review, not an approved material choice, processing instruction or purchase order.
How to start a titanium CNC machining order
Send the current files
Include grade, quantity, treatment, critical dimensions and the intended final condition.
Resolve technical questions
Review material identity, machining sequence, secondary processes and the checks that matter.
Approve the quoted scope
Confirm the drawing revision, manufacturing arrangement, price, records and delivery terms.
Review the delivered parts
Use the agreed acceptance requirements and document approved changes before the next order.
Talk to Kevin about your titanium machining project
I want you to know who is making your parts, what we have agreed to supply and how you can check the result. You should be able to start that conversation without first traveling to China.
Kevin · vetcnc
Our Family and Manufacturing BackgroundI have spent ten years in the CNC industry, following my father’s generation. Our family business grew through exhibitions and long-term customers. We have multiple factories in China, and I am bringing that experience online so new customers can ask practical questions directly.
When a requirement is outside our factories’ scope, we can discuss a suitable partner, coordinate the work or introduce you directly. For titanium parts, that means being clear about material sourcing, any specialist finishing and who is responsible for the agreed inspection and records.
Questions about titanium CNC machining
Which titanium grade should I specify for CNC machining?
Use the grade on your approved drawing, together with the material standard and supplied condition. Grade 2 is commercially pure titanium; Grade 5 and Grade 23 belong to the Ti-6Al-4V family. They are not interchangeable specifications. [1] [2]
What is the difference between Grade 5 and Grade 23?
Grade 23 is the extra-low-interstitial variant of Ti-6Al-4V, with tighter limits on certain elements. State ELI and the applicable product standard when required. Ask for the relevant material documentation rather than relying only on a trade name. [2]
Can you review another titanium grade or a Chinese specification?
Yes. Send the full designation, required edition, stock form, condition and documentation requirements. Feasibility and supply must be reviewed for the actual order. A similarly named grade should not be substituted without your approval.
Why does titanium need its own machining plan?
Titanium alloys place particular demands on cutting tools because heat is concentrated near the cutting edge and tool wear can be challenging. The grade, feature geometry and required finish should be reviewed together when planning the machining route. [3]
Can you guarantee one tolerance for every titanium part?
No single tolerance applies to every diameter, wall thickness and processing route. Provide the critical limits, datums, surface condition and measurement requirements. The agreed quotation should identify which requirements can be met for your drawing.
Does a colored anodized finish prevent galling?
Do not use color as evidence of anti-galling performance. Tiodize distinguishes its color-producing Type III process from its functional Type II treatment. Specify the required process and performance; do not substitute a decorative finish for a functional one. [4]
Can you supply titanium parts for a regulated application?
Send the qualification, approved-source, traceability and documentation requirements before ordering. A material grade or drawing alone does not establish application approval. We will review the required scope rather than imply that every titanium component is suitable for a regulated use.
What should I include for threaded or sliding titanium parts?
Show the mating material, thread or fit specification, surface finish and assembly conditions. Identify permitted lubricants, coatings or inserts and any restrictions on residues. The design owner should approve the contact-surface arrangement.
Can you quote a prototype and a later production batch together?
Yes. List the quantities and release stages separately, along with any sample approval or validation requirements. The practical quantity, price and schedule are confirmed after reviewing the drawing, material and process scope.
Which material and inspection records can I request?
List material certification, heat or batch traceability, dimensional reports and finishing records in your inquiry. Specify whether documents need approval before machining. The quotation should confirm which records are included and any additional checks required.
What happens if a process is outside your own factories’ scope?
We can discuss a suitable partner, coordinate the work or introduce you directly. Responsibilities, commercial terms and communication should be agreed before the order is released.
How can I send confidential titanium part drawings?
Agree confidentiality and a suitable file-transfer method before sharing sensitive or restricted information. This preview accepts STEP, IGES, PDF, DWG, DXF, SLDPRT and ZIP files up to 20 MB, but no data is sent until a submission service is connected.
Request a quote for your titanium parts
- Matching CAD model and dimensioned drawing
- Titanium grade, standard, stock form and supplied condition
- Critical dimensions, threads, contact surfaces and roughness
- Finishing specification, masking and inspection records
- Sample and batch quantities, approvals and requested arrival date
Agree confidentiality and the transfer method before sharing sensitive or restricted files.
Technical references and material notes
- TIMET — TIMETAL 50A (Grade 2) — Commercially pure titanium and general industrial context; supplier data, not vetcnc inventory.
- TIMET — TIMETAL 6-4 and 6-4 ELI — Grade 5 and Grade 23 identification and material-condition context.
- Sandvik Coromant — Workpiece materials: titanium — General titanium machinability, cutting-edge heat and tool-wear considerations.
- Tiodize — Titanium anodizing — Distinction between the named functional and color anodizing processes; no supplier relationship or licensed process capability is implied.
These references support general material and process information, not vetcnc certifications, stock availability or application approval. Material data is not a substitute for the current governing specification or an order-specific certificate. The drawing and agreed order define the supplied parts. Reviewed September 2026.