Qualfab Machining

Qualfab is a high-precision CNC shop in Lodi whose family has been machining since 1969. It specializes in tight tolerances, says it can inspect to 25 millionths of an inch, and offers turnaround as fast as one day.

Capabilities

• CNC milling, including 6-pallet horizontal
• CNC mill/turn with twin spindles
• Swiss screw machining
• Tight-tolerance inspection
• Fast and one-day turnaround
• Prototype to production (holds 6 patents)

Equipment

• Okuma MB400HII horizontal (6-pallet pool)
• Okuma MC-V4020 and VR-40 II; Brother TC-R2A
• 2 Okuma LB3000EX II MYW mill/turn; Okuma LB15
• Citizen Cincom A20 screw machine
• Mitutoyo CMM B231; Quadra-Chek II; Pratt & Whitney Super Micrometer

Materials

Aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel and plastics.

Request a quote

To request a quote from this shop, use the Request a Quote form. Tell us the part, material, quantity and deadline, and we will pass your request to the shop.

Tight Tolerance Machining and Quick Turn Parts in Lodi: Qualfab Machining

Few phrases in machining cause as much confusion as tight tolerance. To one buyer it means a few thousandths of an inch. To another it means a fraction of that. The words only help when both sides know the numbers. Buyers in Lodi who need precise parts quickly often ask how to get both. Qualfab Machining is listed here for CNC milling, CNC turning, CMM inspection, plastics machining, tight tolerance work, fast turnaround, Okuma machines, Swiss machining and mill-turn. This page explains how tolerance, inspection and speed relate.

What tolerance means

A tolerance is the allowed range around a dimension. A hole drawn at a given diameter might be allowed to vary by a small amount in either direction. The smaller the range, the harder the part is to make and measure. Temperature, tool wear and the way a part is held all affect results.

The cost of precision

Tight tolerances require slower cuts, extra finishing passes and more inspection. They can also lead to higher scrap if a part is slightly out of range. A good practice is to apply tight tolerances only to features that need them, such as a bearing fit, and use general tolerances elsewhere.

Measuring small differences

Measuring a tight tolerance needs equipment that can see even smaller differences. A CMM, a precision micrometer and a calibrated comparator each have a role. Buyers can ask which instruments will be used and whether they are calibrated, especially when records are required.

Swiss and mill-turn machining

Swiss machines hold slender parts near the tool and are good at small precise turned parts. Mill-turn machines combine lathe and mill functions, allowing a complex part to be finished in one setup. Fewer setups mean fewer chances for errors to build up.

Horizontal pallet machining

A horizontal mill with a pallet pool keeps several jobs ready to run. This is useful for repeat orders and for combining different parts in a single run. It also helps shorten lead times when machine time is the limit.

Quick turn parts

Fast delivery depends on several things. The part must be clearly defined. Material must be available. The setup must be simple enough to prove quickly. Inspection must fit the schedule. Ask what is possible, and be ready to answer questions at once.

Plastics

Plastic parts can be made with tight tolerances too, but the material moves with temperature and moisture. Describe the operating conditions so the shop can plan.

From prototype to production

Prototype parts confirm that a design works. Production parts repeat it. Shops that handle both can reuse setups and records. Buyers should share the likely production volume.

Information for a quick quote

• Drawing with tolerances marked on critical features
• Material and any certifications
• Quantity and the date needed in Lodi
• Inspection reports required
• Finishing steps and who arranges them

A word on honesty about deadlines

If a deadline is firm, say so and say why. If it is flexible, say that too. A shop can often offer a better price for a less urgent schedule, and a clear picture of your priorities makes for a better match.

To ask about a part, send the details through the Request a Quote form and we will share your request with the shop.

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