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3-Axis Machining

  • Produce Complex Geometries With Exceptional Precision

  • Simple & Cost Effective

  • Ideal for Rapid Prototyping

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Trusted by Industry Leaders
Harley Davidson
3M
Sanmina
Smith & Nephew
Medtronic
“We were really struggling to find anyone who could cut a certain type of heavy-duty glass. Everyone told us it couldn’t be done, so when we reached out to Fathom, we expected to hear the same thing. Instead, a few days later, they called back with a plan. They had tracked down the people who actually developed that glass and worked directly with them to figure out a solution. That’s the type of approach we have come to know from our Fathom team.”
Lead Engineer
Defense Contractor
“Working with Fathom has given us a level of supply chain control we haven’t had with other partners. Instead of juggling multiple suppliers for machining, sheet metal, extrusions, and 3D-printed prototypes, we can run everything through one team and that’s been a huge advantage for our EV programs. Their engineers helped us tighten up a machined cooling-plate design, turn around sheet metal brackets in days, and rapidly iterate several 3D-printed enclosure concepts early in development. Having all of these capabilities under one roof has reduced delays, improved consistency across assemblies, and cut a significant amount of coordination time on our side.”
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Major EV OEM
“Fathom has been a strong partner on our EV programs. They helped us optimize a few key components for weight and manufacturability, and they consistently hit the tolerances we need. Their fast turnaround times have kept our development cycles moving, which is critical in EV work.”
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
EV Systems Supplier
“With their response time, quotes and communications, Fathom is highly regarded because they are always upfront. They say what they do and do what they say.”
John Doe
Consumer Technology Company
“No matter how complex or how new issues are with product design, we can always count on Fathom. Their team provides an unbiased, ‘out-of-the-box’ professional opinion that is always forward-thinking, interesting and helpful. We value their exemplary commitment to providing superb engineering.”
Rich Rayhill
Crown
“We choose Fathom because of their reputation as a great company to do business with. We have stayed with them for over 5 years because they consistently deliver to meet our needs.”
Barbara Gramenz
3M
“We have been customers with Dahlquist for a long time because they deliver outstanding quality, on-time, every time. I believe these results are in large part due to the fantastic and customer focused team that works there.”
Buyer
Laser Cutting Equipment Manufacturer
“Sanmina and Centex have had a long business relationship and we’ve been able to conquer a lot of our goals with their expertise and support. Centex has always delivered excellent quality parts at fair prices. When we get into tight spots with our customers, they never hesitate to support us. We wholeheartedly recommend Centex to everyone we know.”
Delia Aguilar
Sanmina Corporation
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How 3-Axis CNC Machining Works

01 Design Preparation

A CAD file containing a 2D or 3D digital model of the part is the starting point for a 3-axis machining project. A design for manufacturability analysis is recommended to ensure that the part design is well-suited to this manufacturing technology. Once the design is finalized, the CAD file is converted to a format called G-code that will control the machine’s movements.

Design Preparation_3Axis
02 Machine Setup

The block of material to be milled must be securely fastened to the machine’s cutting table. Next, the correct size cutting tool is installed in the machine’s spindle. Some 3-axis milling machines include a tool magazine that enables it to automatically change tools during the milling process. The code to control the job is then transferred to the machine’s control system.

Machine Setup_3Axis
03 Machining & Post-Processing

The machine’s spindle moves the rotating cutting tool along the X, Y and Z axes, removing material to shape the part. Coolant may be applied to the cutting area to cool the tool, reduce friction and improve the part’s finish. Because a 3-axis machine can only cut one face of the material at a time, the workpiece may need to be repositioned to machine other sides of it.

Machining & Post-Processing_3Axis

Is 3-Axis Machining Right For Your Project?

Advantages

  • Simple & Low Cost

    Compared to CNC milling machines with more axes, 3-axis machines can produce simple parts at a reasonable cost. This makes them a good choice for budget-conscious projects.

  • Accuracy for Standard Geometries

    3-axis machines can hold tight tolerances and produce excellent surface finishes on features like flat surfaces, perpendicular walls and vertical holes when working in a single setup (without repositioning the part).

  • Quick Set-Up Time

    3-axis machines have fewer moving parts, resulting in a shorter learning curve for operators, simpler programming and easier maintenance and troubleshooting.

  • High Throughout

    For parts that can be accessed from a single direction (e.g., flat plates, simple brackets, panels), 3-axis machining can produce simple parts quickly.

Disadvantages

  • Limited Geometries

    3-axis CNC machines can only move along the X, Y, and Z axes, making it impossible to machine features with complex curves, undercuts or non-perpendicular angles without manually repositioning the workpiece.

  • Multiple Setups May Decrease Accuracy

    Machining multiple sides of a part necessitates frequent manual repositioning, which increases labor costs, the risk of human error in alignment and often contributes to longer production times.

  • Tool Access Limitations

    The fixed orientation of the spindle can make it difficult to reach deep cavities or narrow internal features, sometimes requiring longer tools that may reduce rigidity and cutting performance.

3-Axis Milling Offers Exceptional Versatility

Aerospace Parts

The exceptional accuracy of 3-axis machines makes them a popular choice for tight-tolerance parts used in a variety of aerospace and defense applications, such as turbine parts and airfoils.

Mold & Die Making

3-axis machining is commonly used to cut mold tools used in injection molding because of its accuracy, speed and the complex shapes it can produce.

Medical Applications

3-axis machines are frequently used to produce custom, precise components used in medical equipment and devices. Examples include orthopedic implants and surgical tools.

Aerospace Parts_3Axis
Medical Applications_3Axis

Find the Ideal Machinable Material for Your Part

Compare metals and plastics for CNC machining with full property details, tolerances, and suitability notes. Engineered to help you make informed decisions for precision, durability, and performance.

Download Material Datasheet
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Why Choose Fathom for 3-Axis Machining?

  • Fathom has an unmatched depth of expertise in CNC machining and the capacity to take on your projects.
  • Our CNC facilities specialize in challenging applications. We work with extremely tight tolerances and exotic materials for use in medical or aerospace industries.
  • Fathom also has certifications at several of our locations to meet the highly specialized needs of your medical, aerospace or government industries, including ISO 13485, AS9100 and ITAR.
  • Our CNC machining expertise is backed by white-glove engineering – to ensure that your project is a success.
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Every quote is reviewed by an experienced engineer to ensure optimal design, materials and manufacturability, so your part gets made right, the first time.

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