Every day, our Anaheim machine shop receives 3D models for parts with inside corners that lack internal radii. While a crisp, 90-degree inside corner looks great in your CAD software, it’s not a feature easily achieved with precision machining services.
In short, just because you can design it doesn’t mean your manufacturer can make it!
Here’s a quick DFM tip for every engineer designing parts with inside corners.
Why Every Inside Corner Needs an Internal Radius
Very few tools can effectively machine corners in a part’s interior, and no standard tool is capable of cutting a perfectly sharp angle. Even our high-performance Okuma lathe will leave a radius at every inside corner.
The size of an inside corner’s radius is up to you, but we recommend allowing for the largest possible radii when designing your part for precision machining services. The bigger the corner’s internal radius, the faster we can machine the feature without any complications.
We want to ensure that every aspect of your part’s features meets your specifications, so we encourage customers to revise their 3D CAD models to clarify their preferred internal radii on every inside corner. If you’re unsure of the ideal internal radii, please reach out, and we’ll be glad to discuss the possibilities.
No time? Moseys can add radii to internal corners for you.
Though most Moseys customers add the internal radii to their 3D models themselves, we know not every team has the time to revisit a manufacturing-ready design.
If you let us know that your corners lack internal radii, we’re equipped to make the appropriate decisions and changes on your behalf. We’ll notify you of the expected lead time increase and any associated fees.
Committed to sharp corners? Let’s talk.
Our Anaheim machine shop recommends two possible solutions if your part requires sharp inside corners.
1. Your first option is an in-house solution. We can custom-order special tooling designed specifically for creating sharp inside corners. This option gives you confidence that Moseys is machining all your part’s features in our Anaheim machine shop.
You should be aware, however, that these specialized tools are expensive and delicate. That’s right: you’ll pay a high price for tooling that breaks easily, meaning your cost and turnaround time could escalate quickly depending on your production quantity.
2. Your second option is to have us call on our approved EDM (electrical discharge machining) partner. EDM is an excellent option for quality and speed; though it’s an outsourced service, it’s less time-intensive and expensive than using custom tooling. Along with fulfilling any in-house services, Moseys will oversee the packing, transportation, and inspection for your EDM services—all on a single PO.
High Value, High Quality, and High Impact
Making superior parts is our passion. We’re always seeking ways to enhance our precision machining services with meaningful value and increased quality. Our commitment to supplying end-to-end parts means you’ll always get excellent service with great attention to detail.
To collaborate with us, get a quote!
