Looking for Sub Contract CNC Machining? 10 Things You Should Know

Choosing a machining supplier is about more than the machine list. You need to know where the work is done, how your drawing will be interpreted, what materials can be machined and whether the supplier understands the demands of your application. That matters when you are buying for a motorsport team, developing a product or sourcing CNC motorcycle parts.

Here are ten practical points to consider before placing a sub contract CNC machining job. They also explain how we work at Psycleworkz, from our workshop in Yaxley, Peterborough.

1. We fabricate in house, so nothing gets passed on

All components are fabricated in house at our Yaxley workshop. We do not contract the work out to other companies. That gives us direct oversight of the job as it moves through the workshop, and means you can ask us about progress without having to track down a separate supplier. Keeping the work in house also avoids a middleman adding another step and cost to the process.

For you, it means a clearer line of communication when a requirement needs discussing or a drawing needs reviewing. We can look at the component, its material and the intended application together, then manage the work here.

2. What a multi-axis machine actually buys you

We run a 2025 Romi D800 multi-axis machining centre. It added extra travel, high-speed machining capability and a 4th axis to our workshop. In practical terms, the 4th axis can give the machine access to more faces of a part without removing it and clamping it again. Depending on the geometry, that can reduce setups, speed up production and help keep features in position relative to one another.

Every time a part is removed and re-clamped, there is an opportunity for its position to change. Fewer setups can reduce that risk and improve repeatability across a batch. The right approach still depends on the part: some components can be machined efficiently with fewer setups, while others need additional operations.

If you are comparing suppliers, check what they mean by multi-axis machining. We run a 4th-axis machine; we are not claiming 5-axis machining. The important question is how the machine and setup suit your part.

3. Materials we machine

We machine aluminium, steel and plastics. For motorsport components, material selection is part of the job, not a detail to leave until later. We use certified aluminium, so you can specify the required grade and provide any material requirements when you send the enquiry.

If your drawing calls for a particular grade, temper or certificate, tell us at the outset. We can review the specification and work to the material requirement provided. It is better to identify that information before quoting than to discover later that a material assumption needs changing.

4. One-offs to small batch runs

We handle both one-off components and small batches. A single bespoke bracket is as valid a job as a run of fifty parts. A lot of motorsport engineering sits between those two ends: quantities are limited, but the parts still need to be made consistently and suit the job they are going into.

For small runs, setup has a direct effect on the work. The fixture, toolpath and sequence need to be thought through against the number of parts being made. We consider those practical requirements before starting, so the process is appropriate to the job rather than treated as a production run by default.

5. CAD/CAM: 3D modelling before a single cut

We use CAD/CAM as part of the process, and model the component in 3D before cutting metal. Seeing the finished part in the model gives us the opportunity to review geometry, clearances and potential interference at the drawing stage. It also gives you a view of the proposed part before machining begins.

We can import IGES and DXF files. If you have a logo or branding artwork, we can bring that into the design so badges and markings can be machined into the component rather than added afterwards. If you are unsure whether your files are suitable, send what you have and we can discuss it.

6. Reverse engineering, 3D scanning and printing in house

A drawing is useful, but it is not the only place to start. If you have an existing part and no drawing, we can use 3D scanning to work back towards a model. We also have 3D printing in house, which can support development before the final component is machined.

For some parts, making a replacement is only one part of the requirement: you may also need to see how it fits or performs in its intended application. We have a car and motorcycle dyno in house, which is unusual for a machining supplier and gives us a way to prove parts, not just produce them.

7. We speak motorsport, and it shows in the tolerances

We have a 25-year background in motorsport, where attention to detail and tolerances have always mattered. Lola Race Cars was a main client. That experience informs how we approach a component: strength, lightness and durability need to be considered from the start, not added as an afterthought.

We also run a Pro Stock drag racing team and were 2022 FIM Champions. That experience gives us direct involvement with the requirements of race machinery, as well as machining work for other customers. When you send us a part or drawing, the intended use is part of the conversation.

8. It is not only machining

Our work extends beyond CNC machining. We also carry out metal fabrication, tube bending and specialist welding in aluminium, chromoly and stainless steel, as well as powder coating and shot blasting.

That can be useful when a job involves more than a machined part: for example, a component that needs to fit a welded frame or chassis. Keeping machining and fabrication with one supplier can simplify communication and reduce the work you need to coordinate across several companies. We undertake chassis work for motorcycles and cars, alongside smaller components. You can also view examples of our billet products.

9. Prototyping and tooling for design and development companies

Not every machining enquiry is for a race bike or car. We work with design and development companies on prototypes and tooling for a range of products. If you are developing a new part and need a short run to test the design, that is a normal type of job for us.

At this stage, a conversation about how the part will be tested and what needs to change between versions can help shape the machining approach. We can discuss the model, material and quantity together, then work from the requirement you provide.

10. What to send us to get an accurate answer

For a useful assessment of the job, send as much of the following as you have:

• A 3D model or 2D drawing, in IGES, DXF, STEP or a similar format

• The material and any certified grade required

• The quantity you need

• Critical tolerances, including which faces or features they apply to

• Any surface finish requirements

• Your required deadline

If you only have a sketch or a physical part, say so. A scan or an initial conversation can usually help establish the next step. We can review the information and discuss what is needed to produce the component. For more detail on our sub contract CNC machining services, or to talk through a job, call us on 01733 248500.