Concentric, repeatable and cut to size. AIM’s turning capability spans compact precision work and larger, longer components — produced from bar, billet, forging or pre-machined blank, then measured and traced within a single controlled process in Lichfield.
Turning Capability
Compact Precision to Large-Capacity Turning
Requirements range from small, high-tolerance turned parts to larger, longer shafts and housings — all turned in-house, so a component never has to be split across suppliers to find the capacity or the accuracy to match.
Compact Precision Turning
High-speed turning for small, accurate cylindrical parts — pins, bushes, spacers, collars and threaded fittings — held to tight, concentric tolerances.
Large-Capacity Turning
Longer, heavier chuck and bar work — shafts, sleeves, cylindrical housings and rotor components — machined complete on a rigid, high-torque spindle.
Accuracy
Tolerance, Finish and Concentricity
Turned features are cut and inspected to hold tight diametral and length tolerances with good surface finish and true concentricity. Achievable tolerance depends on the feature, material and workholding, so it is confirmed against your drawing at quotation rather than assumed — and then verified as the part is made.
- Close diametral tolerances, tighter by agreement
- Fine turned surface finishes where the drawing calls for them
- Concentric, repeatable features across a batch
- Controlled thread, groove and undercut geometry
- Geometric tolerances (GD&T) interpreted from your drawing
- Capability confirmed by first-off and in-process measurement
Materials
Materials We Turn
Subject to a technical review of geometry, tolerance and heat-treatment condition, AIM turns a broad range of metals and engineering plastics:
- Aluminium and aluminium alloys
- Carbon and alloy steels
- Stainless steels
- Tool steels
- Cast iron
- Copper, brass and bronze
- Titanium and specialist alloys
- Engineering plastics
Operations
Turning Operations
From roughing through to finished features, turning operations are combined in a controlled sequence, reducing handling and keeping features true to one another:
- Facing
- External turning
- Internal turning and boring
- Step turning
- Profile turning
- Taper turning
- Precision boring
- Drilling and reaming
- Grooving and undercutting
- Internal threading
- External threading
- Parting
- Chamfering
- Controlled edge preparation
Applications
Typical Turned Components
From one-off development hardware to repeat production, typical turned components include:
- Shafts
- Pins
- Bushes and sleeves
- Spacers and collars
- Adaptors and couplings
- Bearing carriers
- Threaded fittings
- Cylindrical housings
- Rotor components
- Engine parts
- Hydraulic components
- Pneumatic components
- Precision rings
Volume
Prototype to Production
The same controlled process and inspection route covers every quantity, so a part proven at prototype runs the same way in production:
- One-off development components
- Small and medium batches
- Bar-produced components
- Larger chucking work
- Second-operation machining
- Repeat and scheduled manufacturing
- Legacy replacement parts
Integrated Secondary Operations
Where a turned component needs additional features, AIM coordinates secondary operations in-house — adding milled features, cross-holes and wire-EDM detail, then verifying the finished part through our inspection and CMM capability, all within one traceable route.
- CNC milling
- Simultaneous 5-axis machining
- Wire EDM
- Precision drilling
- CMM inspection
FAQ
CNC Turning — Frequently Asked Questions
What size components can AIM turn?
AIM turns small, high-tolerance parts up to approximately Ø282 mm diameter and 406 mm long, and larger or longer work up to approximately Ø366 mm diameter and 705 mm long, with bar capacity up to approximately Ø80 mm. Actual capacity depends on chucking, workholding, component geometry and tooling, which are confirmed at quotation.
What tolerances can AIM hold on turned parts?
Turned features are held to tight diametral and length tolerances with good surface finish and concentricity. Achievable tolerance depends on the feature, material and workholding, so it is agreed against the drawing before machining; critical features are then verified first-off and in-process.
Which materials can AIM turn?
Subject to technical review, AIM turns aluminium and aluminium alloys, carbon and alloy steels, stainless and tool steels, cast iron, copper, brass, bronze, titanium and specialist alloys, and engineering plastics. Material suitability is assessed against component geometry, tolerance, tooling and heat-treatment condition.
Can AIM turn prototypes as well as production batches?
Yes. Our turning capability supports one-off development parts, prototypes, small and medium batches, bar-produced components, larger chucking work and repeat manufacturing, all run through the same controlled process and inspection route.
Can turned parts also have milled or other secondary features?
Yes. Where a turned component needs flats, cross-holes, slots, milled features or wire-EDM detail, AIM coordinates these secondary operations in-house through its milling, 5-axis, wire EDM and CMM capabilities within one controlled, traceable route.
How are turned components inspected and documented?
Critical features are verified against the drawing first-off, during machining and at final inspection. CMM measurement, dimensional reporting and First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation are available, and inspection requirements are agreed before machining begins.