PRO Machine Works

PRO Machine Works is a Sacramento precision CNC shop with more than 20 years of machining experience. Its site says it is the exclusive supplier to many equipment manufacturers, and it offers facility tours during business hours.

Capabilities

• Rapid prototyping, including plastic prototypes
• CNC milling
• CNC turning
• Precision CNC machining
• CNC laser cutting
• Prototypes to full production runs

Materials

Aluminum, stainless steel and advanced 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.

Rapid Prototypes and Production Parts in Sacramento: PRO Machine Works

A prototype and a production part may look the same on a drawing, but they are bought in different ways. Prototypes are about speed and learning. Production parts are about consistency and price. Buyers in Sacramento who work with equipment manufacturers often need both, sometimes within the same project. PRO Machine Works is listed here for CNC milling, CNC turning, laser cutting, prototyping, production machining, plastics machining and rapid prototyping. This page explains how to approach each stage.

Starting with a prototype

A first prototype tells you what works and what does not. It might show that a hole is in the wrong place, that a wall is too thin or that two parts collide. Because the design may change, a prototype order should be simple. Choose a material that is easy to machine, and avoid extra finishes until the shape is right.

Plastic prototypes

Plastic prototypes are common when the final part will be plastic or when cost is a concern. Machined plastic can be a good way to test fit and function without building a mold. Machining is not the same as molding, and the strength and surface of a machined part can differ, so keep that in mind when judging results.

Moving to production

When the design is stable, production begins. A production setup often uses fixtures that hold parts quickly and consistently, and programs that have been proven on the prototype run. Quantity discounts come from spreading these costs across more parts.

Laser cutting as a companion process

Laser cutting uses a focused beam to cut flat sheet material into shapes. It is often paired with machining when a part includes a flat cut plate and machined features. Provide the thickness and material, and a flat drawing or file.

Milling and turning

CNC milling handles flat and pocketed shapes. CNC turning handles round shapes. A single part may need both, so many shops run both types of machine. Listing the full operation sequence in your request is not necessary, but describing the part’s function helps.

Tours and communication

Some buyers like to see a shop before choosing it. If a visit is possible, it can answer questions about cleanliness, equipment and workflow. Whether or not you visit, written communication about requirements prevents mistakes.

Supplying equipment makers

Companies that build equipment often need the same part repeatedly over many years. For those buyers, the quality of the first order matters because it sets expectations for later ones. Share the plan, such as expected yearly volume, so the shop can quote and plan with the long term in mind.

What to include in a request

• Drawing or model with revision
• Material and finish
• Prototype quantity and production estimate
• Required date
• Any assembly or fit notes

Comparing prototype quotes

Compare lead time and what is included. A faster delivery of one piece may suit a design review better than a cheaper price with a longer wait.

Ready to request a quote? Send the details through the Request a Quote form and we will forward your request to the shop.

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