CNC Machining Services
Prototype Machining Services Built to Prove Out Your Design
Rapid-turnaround prototype machining backed by decades of foundry and CNC expertise. We transform your designs into production-ready parts with tolerances that prove out your concept the first time.
Expert Prototype Machining for Critical Applications
When every thousandth of an inch matters, prototype machining separates proven designs from expensive guesswork. At C.L. Dews & Sons Foundry, we combine advanced CNC technology with hands-on craftsmanship to deliver custom prototype parts that validate your engineering before committing to full production.
Developing a new product, refining an existing component, or testing a material change all require prototype machining that delivers results you can trust. Our team works directly with your engineering staff to understand tolerances, material requirements, and end-use conditions before cutting the first chip. We have built our reputation on delivering precision-machined prototypes for industries where failure is not an option, with CNC machining capabilities that provide the accuracy and repeatability your project demands.
5 Day
Rapid Turnaround
±0.001"
Tight Tolerances
30+
Machinable Materials
100+
Years of Experience
Our Prototype Machining Process
Every prototype machining project at Dews follows a structured workflow that eliminates rework and ensures the finished part matches your specifications exactly. From the first review of your CAD files to the final inspection report, our process is built around speed, repeatability, and engineering rigor.
Concept & Design Review
Our machinists review your CAD files, 2D drawings, or hand sketches. We identify potential manufacturability issues early and suggest design-for-machining optimizations that reduce cost without compromising function.
Material Selection & Sourcing
We help you choose the right alloy, steel grade, or engineering plastic for your application. Our in-house material inventory means most common metals are ready to cut without procurement delays.
CNC Programming & Setup
Our programmers generate optimized toolpaths using CAM software. Fixture design and workholding strategies are tailored to each unique geometry, maximizing accuracy on the first run.
Precision Machining & Inspection
Parts are machined on multi-axis CNC mills and lathes with in-process measurement. Every prototype undergoes dimensional inspection with calibrated instruments, and we provide inspection reports so your team can verify conformance against the original design intent.
Quality Control & Delivery
Every prototype undergoes dimensional inspection with calibrated instruments. We provide inspection reports with your parts so your team can verify conformance against the original design intent.
Prototype Machining Capabilities
Our shop floor is equipped to handle virtually any prototype geometry, from simple turned shafts to complex multi-feature housings requiring 5-axis simultaneous cutting. Whether you need a one-off proof-of-concept or a small batch of pre-production parts, we have the equipment and the experience to deliver.
CNC Milling
3-axis and multi-axis milling for prismatic parts, pockets, contours, and complex 3D surfaces. Capacity for workpieces up to 40 inches in travel.
CNC Turning
Precision lathe work for cylindrical components, shafts, bushings, and threaded parts. Live tooling enables milling features in a single setup.
EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)
Wire and sinker EDM for hardened materials and intricate internal geometries that conventional cutting tools cannot reach.
Surface Grinding
Flat and cylindrical grinding to achieve mirror-finish surfaces and sub-micron flatness on critical mating faces and seal surfaces.
Materials We Machine
Our prototype machining services cover a broad range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, engineering plastics, and exotic alloys. If your application demands a specific grade, we can source it.
Carbon Steel
Stainless Steel
Tool Steel
6061 Aluminum
7075 Aluminum
Brass & Bronze
Copper
Titanium
Delrin / Acetal
UHMW-PE
Nylon & PEEK
Material selection is critical for any prototype machining project. Our services cover a broad range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, engineering plastics, and exotic alloys. If your application demands a specific grade, we can source it. Our recommendations are informed by research from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers on machinability ratings and material performance data.
Industries We Serve
- Oil & Gas Equipment
- Agricultural Machinery
- Heavy Construction Equipment
- Defense & Military
- Mining & Aggregate Processing
- Industrial Pump & Valve
- Power Generation
- Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Why Choose Dews for Prototype Machining
C.L. Dews & Sons Foundry has been manufacturing precision parts for over a century. Our prototype machining services benefit from the same expertise, equipment, and quality standards we apply to full production work — and our team is ready to review your next project and provide a detailed quote.
When you partner with Dews, you gain access to our full range of custom machining services, from prototype through production. Our team is ready to review your next project and provide a detailed quote.
Foundry + Machine Shop Under One Roof
Need a cast-then-machined prototype? We pour the casting and machine it to print without shipping between vendors. Faster delivery, tighter control over quality at every step.
Scalable From One Part to Hundreds
Start with a single prototype and scale to short-run production using the same fixturing and programs. No re-engineering when you are ready to order more.
Experienced Machinists, Not Just Operators
Our team reads prints, understands GD&T, and catches problems before they become scrap. That expertise saves time and material on every prototype run.
Full Inspection Documentation
Receive first-article inspection reports, material certifications, and dimensional data with every prototype order. Your quality team gets what they need to approve the part.
Ready to Start Your Prototype Machining Project?
Send us your drawings or CAD files and our team will provide a detailed quote with material options, lead time, and pricing. From concept to finished part, Dews delivers.
