CNC Contract Manufacturing
We review your drawing and place it with a vetted contract manufacturer for turning and milling. From one-off parts to large series.
What is Contract Manufacturing?
In CNC contract manufacturing, a specialized shop takes over the machining of workpieces on behalf of the customer. You provide the drawing or 3D model, the contract manufacturer makes the parts on its CNC machines. We find the shop that fits your part, so you can focus on your core business.
That saves you investing in your own machines, staff and know-how. Through our network you reach shops with the right machines, whether single part, small batch or series production.
Unlike in-house manufacturing, there are no fixed costs for machine maintenance, tooling procurement and staff. You only pay for the actual parts produced and can scale your production capacity without investment risk.
CNC contract manufacturing means: you supply the drawing, a specialised shop makes the part. Strobel Industry places milled and turned parts with vetted contract manufacturers, from one-off parts to large series, in aluminium, steel, stainless steel and plastics. Experts from our team review every drawing, reply within 24 hours.
Contract vs. In-House Manufacturing
The direct comparison shows: CNC contract manufacturing offers you maximum flexibility at calculable unit costs, without the fixed costs of your own machine park.
| Criterion | Contract Mfg. | In-House Mfg. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | None (€0) | €250,000 to 1M+ |
| Personnel Costs | Not applicable | Skilled staff required |
| Flexibility | 1 to 10,000+ pcs/lot | Capacity-dependent |
| Maintenance & Setup | Included | Own responsibility |
| Technology Access | 3-axis to 5-axis | Own machines only |
| Scalability | Instantly scalable | New investment needed |
Why Contract Manufacturing?
Contract manufacturing offers you maximum flexibility with minimal capital commitment. No machine park, no specialized staff, no maintenance, and still precision at the highest level.
Cross-Industry Applications
We place contract manufacturing for customers from a wide range of industries, from one-off parts to recurring series production.
Placed Manufacturing Processes
CNC Turning
Rotationally symmetric parts from small parts to shafts. Bar feeders for series, complete machining with driven tools.
CNC Milling
Complex 3D geometries on up to 5 axes. Pockets, contours, bores, threads, precise and repeatable.
5-Axis Milling
Five sides in one setup, undercuts and angled hole patterns. Indexed (3+2) or simultaneous, depending on the partner shop.
Small Series
Economical production of small batches. Consistent quality and scalable capacity across several partner shops.
Grinding & Finishing
Deburring, chamfering, surface grinding and thread cutting, from one source at the partner shop.
Material Variety in Contract Manufacturing
Our partner shops machine all common metals and engineering plastics. Special materials on request.
Aluminium
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, excellent machinability. Ideal for lightweight components and housings.
Structural Steel
Universally applicable, high strength, economical. Standard for mechanical engineering and fixtures.
Stainless Steel
Corrosion-resistant, food-safe, acid-resistant. For medical, food and chemical industries.
Brass & Copper
Excellent conductivity, good machinability. For electrical engineering, fittings and contacts.
Titanium
Highest strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatible. For aerospace and medical technology.
Special Alloys
Heat-resistant, corrosion-proof under extreme conditions. For energy technology and chemistry.
Engineering Plastics
Lightweight, wear-resistant, chemically stable. Dry machining without cutting fluid.
Surface Treatment
Besides machining, our partner shops supply the right surface treatment on request, themselves or through certified finishers.
Anodizing
Protective layer on aluminium, colours selectable. Layer thickness 5 to 25 µm.
Zinc Plating
Electro-galvanizing or hot-dip galvanizing. Corrosion protection for steel parts.
Nickel Plating
Chemical or electrolytic. Wear protection and uniform layer thickness.
Hardening
Case hardening, quench & temper, induction hardening. Surface hardness up to 62 HRC.
Powder Coating
Scratch-resistant, UV-stable, in RAL colours. For housings and visible parts.
Passivation
Stainless steel passivation per ASTM A967. Improves corrosion resistance.
From One-Offs to Large Series
Through our network we cover the full range of quantities. For every batch size we place the work with a shop set up for it.
One-off & pilot series
Prototypes, spare parts and first series after approval.
Series
Optimized setup-to-unit-cost ratio. Ideal for recurring demand.
Large Series
Automated production with bar feeders at the partner shop. Consistent quality in every batch.
Framework agreements
Recurring series at fixed unit prices, agreed directly with the partner shop.
Quality Assurance
Experts from our team review every drawing before placement. State inspection reports, certificates and first article inspection reports in your enquiry, and we place the work with partners who supply them.
Drawing review
Manufacturability, tolerances and material are checked before placement.
Inspection reports
Tactile and optical measurement at the partner shop, with inspection report on request.
Material Certificates
3.1 material certificate to EN 10204 on request.
ISIR / PPAP
Initial sample inspection reports per VDA and PPAP documentation for automotive industry on request.
Your Path to the Finished Part
From enquiry to partner shop: lean, transparent and fast.
Send Drawing
Send us your drawing as PDF, STEP, IGES or DXF by email or form. We check feasibility.
Reply within 24 h
We name the right partner shop or clarify open points directly with you.
Quote & production
The partner shop quotes with unit price and delivery date, manufactures and inspects the parts.
Shipping & Documentation
The partner delivers directly to you, with inspection report and material certificate on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What is CNC contract manufacturing?
CNC contract manufacturing means a specialized facility handles the machining of workpieces on behalf of a customer. The client provides drawings or 3D models, and the contract manufacturer produces the parts on their CNC machines. This saves high investment costs and provides access to modern manufacturing technologies such as 5-axis machining.
Q2 What quantities are possible in contract manufacturing?
From one-off parts through pilot and medium series to large series of several thousand pieces per batch. For every batch size we place the work with a shop set up for it, for large series for example with a bar feeder.
Q3 How long does manufacturing take?
The partner shop states the lead time in its quote. It depends on complexity, quantity, material and capacity. If it is urgent, put your target date in the enquiry. We will then look specifically for a shop that can meet it.
Q4 What materials can be machined?
All common metals: structural steel (S235, S355), heat-treatable steel (42CrMo4, C45), stainless steel (1.4301, 1.4404), aluminium (AlMg3, 7075), brass, copper and titanium, plus engineering plastics such as POM, PEEK, PA6 and PTFE. Special alloys on request.
Q5 What does CNC contract manufacturing cost?
The unit price depends on material, complexity, tolerances and quantity. For one-off parts the programming cost is spread over the piece, for series unit costs drop considerably. The partner shop states the price in its quote, enquiry and placement are free.
Q6 What is the difference between contract and job-shop manufacturing?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, in contract machining the customer supplies the material, in contract manufacturing the manufacturer sources it. We place both: material can be supplied by you or sourced by the partner shop.
Q7 Which CNC processes does Strobel Industry place?
CNC turning, CNC milling on 3 to 5 axes, sliding-head turning, grinding, drilling, threading and deburring, including complete machining on lathes with driven tools. Which shop makes your part depends on process, size and quantity.
Q8 Can surface treatments be ordered together?
Yes. State anodising, zinc plating, nickel plating, hardening, powder coating or passivation in your enquiry. We place the work with partner shops that supply it themselves or through certified finishers.
Q9 Do you offer blanket orders and call-off agreements?
Yes. Framework agreements with fixed unit prices and flexible call-off quantities are agreed directly with the partner shop. We make the contact.
Q10 How flexibly can contract manufacturing respond to capacity peaks?
Very flexible. Because we work with several partner shops, capacity peaks can be spread across other shops. Put date and quantity in your enquiry.
Q11 Ist Lohnfertigung eine Dienstleistung?
Ja, Lohnfertigung ist eine industrielle Dienstleistung. Der Lohnfertiger stellt seine Maschinen, sein Know-how und sein Personal zur Verfügung, um Bauteile nach Kundenvorgabe herzustellen. Im Unterschied zur Eigenproduktion trägt der Auftraggeber kein Investitionsrisiko für Maschinen und profitiert von der Spezialisierung des Fertigers.
Q12 Was ist ein Lohnfertiger und was bedeutet Lohnbearbeitung?
Ein Lohnfertiger ist ein spezialisierter Fertigungsbetrieb, der im Auftrag anderer Unternehmen Bauteile herstellt. Der Begriff „Lohnbearbeitung" beschreibt dasselbe Prinzip: Bearbeitung gegen Lohn (Bezahlung). Bei Strobel Industry umfasst das CNC-Drehen, CNC-Fräsen, Schleifen und Komplettbearbeitung, alles aus einer Hand.
Q13 Welche Metalle werden in der Lohnfertigung bearbeitet?
All common metals are machined in CNC contract manufacturing: steel (structural, heat-treatable, free-cutting), stainless steel (304, 316), aluminium (from AlMg3 to high-strength 7075), brass, copper, titanium and special alloys, plus engineering plastics such as POM, PEEK and PA.
Request a Project
Send us your drawing or 3D model. We review it and get back to you within 24 hours with the right partner shop.
Ready for the
next step?
Send us your drawing. We review the enquiry and pass it on to a suitable, vetted partner shop, free and without obligation .