CNC Turning

Precision Turning

Precision Turning Included in Every Order at W&K

W&K Precision Engineers has provided precision turning services from Driffield since 2001. Using multi-axis CNC lathes with live tooling, our team produces turned components to tolerances of ±0.01mm across a full range of metals and engineering plastics. We serve manufacturers, maintenance teams and engineering businesses throughout East Yorkshire and the surrounding regions.

Multi-axis CNC lathes with live tooling capability
Tolerances to ±0.01mm on turned diameters and bores
Thread cutting, boring and form turning available
All metals: steel, stainless, aluminium, brass, titanium
Single prototype components through to batch production
Full material traceability and mill certificates on request
CMM inspection and dimensional reporting available
DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES and SolidWorks files accepted

From stepped shafts and bushes to flanges, couplings and threaded studs, W&K Precision turns components to drawing across a wide range of materials and diameters. Every component is inspected before despatch. Call 01377 271041 or send drawings for a fast quotation.

CNC turning centre producing a precision steel component

CNC Turning at W&K's Driffield Workshop

Our CNC turning department operates multi-axis lathes with live tooling, enabling features such as cross-holes, milled flats, keyways and threads to be completed in a single setup. This reduces the number of separate operations, improves concentricity between turned and milled features, and cuts total lead time. Components are programmed from customer drawings or 3D CAD models, with tool paths reviewed by experienced setters before production begins.

Turned components produced at W&K include shafts, spindles, bushes, couplings, flanges, spacers, threaded studs and custom-profiled parts for a wide range of industrial applications. Materials covered include mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, titanium and engineering plastics. Finished components are inspected dimensionally and, where specified, supplied with full material traceability documentation. Most work is accepted on a technical drawing or 3D model and quoted promptly from our Driffield workshop.

W&K Precision Cnc Turning workshop facility

Turning Services for Oil, Gas and Heavy Industry

Subsea, wellhead and pipeline components frequently require the dimensional accuracy and material integrity that CNC turning provides. Turned parts for oil and gas applications are often specified in exotic alloys such as duplex stainless or Inconel, requiring careful tooling selection and controlled cutting parameters. W&K Precision's experience with these materials means critical components are produced to specification with full traceability.

W&K Precision Cnc Turning sector applications

Replacement Shaft and Bushing Manufacture

Worn or damaged shafts, bushes, spacers and pins are among the most common breakdown-related turning jobs at W&K Precision. Where an original part is unavailable or no longer in production, a physical sample can be used to reverse-engineer a replacement. Turned replacement parts are often completed faster than sourcing from the original manufacturer and are made to the same dimensional specification.

W&K Precision Cnc Turning small batch prototype

Three Reasons East Yorkshire Businesses Choose W&K for Turning

Multi-Axis Lathes with Live Tooling

Multi-axis CNC turning with live tooling means milled features, cross-holes and threads can all be machined in one setup rather than transferred between machines. Fewer setups mean fewer opportunities for positional errors and faster completion times. The result is better accuracy on compound features and shorter lead times for customers.

From Prototype to Production at One Address

W&K Precision accepts CNC turning orders from a single prototype component upwards. Development parts produced during the design phase use the same lathes and inspection processes as full production batches, giving confidence that prototype results are representative of what serial production will deliver.

Recognised for Dimensional Accuracy Since 2001

Dimensional accuracy is the baseline expectation for any precision turning supplier, but maintaining it consistently across long runs and repeat orders takes more than capable machines. W&K Precision's in-process inspection routines and end-of-run CMM checks ensure that what is agreed at quoting is delivered on every batch, order after order.

CNC turning centre at W&K Precision, East Yorkshire

Frequently Asked Questions

CNC turning is suited to any rotationally symmetrical component and many non-symmetrical ones when live tooling is available. Common turned parts include shafts, pins, spindles, bushes, spacers, couplings, flanges, threaded studs and custom-profiled components. Non-circular features such as flats, keyways, cross-holes and radial threads can be added without a separate milling operation. Applications span agricultural machinery, oil and gas equipment, automotive components, food processing plant and general manufacturing tooling.

Turning capacity varies between workshops and is determined by the swing and bed length of the available lathes. Small-diameter precision parts down to a few millimetres can be turned on suitable equipment, while larger-diameter components up to the machine's maximum swing capacity are accommodated on bigger chucks. Before quoting, maximum diameter and component length should be confirmed with the workshop to ensure the part falls within the machine's working envelope. W&K Precision will confirm capacity at the enquiry stage.

External and internal threads are routinely produced by CNC turning, covering metric, unified and imperial thread forms as well as pipe threads and custom profiles. Thread dimensions are specified on the drawing and cut using either single-point thread turning or thread milling, depending on the thread form and required surface finish. Thread gauges or dimensional checks are used to verify conformance. Complex or fine-pitch threads in hard materials require appropriate tooling and controlled cutting conditions.

CNC turning can achieve tolerances as tight as ±0.01mm on turned diameters, lengths and bored features when specified on the drawing. Tighter tolerances demand careful selection of cutting parameters, tooling condition and consistent temperature control. Material choice also influences achievable tolerance, as some alloys are more dimensionally stable during cutting than others. All tolerance-critical dimensions should be clearly annotated on the drawing or specified at the enquiry stage so that feasibility can be confirmed before quoting.

Reverse engineering from a physical sample is possible in many cases. The sample is measured using appropriate instruments to determine diameters, lengths, thread forms, surface finishes and other features. A drawing is then created from those measurements, and the component is turned to that specification. Dimensional tolerances for reverse-engineered parts are typically inferred from the application, so some discussion of how the part is used may be needed to specify appropriate clearances and fits. W&K Precision handles reverse engineering regularly, particularly for obsolete or discontinued components.

Surface finish on turned components depends on cutting speed, feed rate, tooling geometry and material. CNC turning routinely produces smooth, functional finishes suitable for bearing surfaces, sealing faces and general assembly. Where a finer finish is needed, options include reducing feed rate on the finishing pass, using a wiper insert, or following turning with a grinding or polishing operation. Surface finish requirements should be specified on the drawing using Ra values so they can be assessed at the quoting stage.

Urgent turning requirements, particularly those arising from a machine breakdown or production stoppage, can often be prioritised above standard lead times. Calling 01377 271041 directly is the fastest way to establish current capacity and discuss whether an emergency slot is available. Simple turned components from stock materials are sometimes completable within a single working day. More complex parts requiring material sourcing or multi-operation machining will need a realistic timescale confirmed at the enquiry stage.

A technical drawing with all dimensions, tolerances and material specified is the ideal starting point for a turning quotation. A 3D CAD model in STEP, IGES or SolidWorks format can also be used, with key dimensions confirmed on an accompanying drawing. Batch quantity, required delivery date and any quality documentation requirements should be included. Where drawings are not yet available, an initial conversation about the part's function and envelope dimensions is a good starting point for an indicative quotation.

Request a Precision Turning Quotation

Send your technical drawings or CAD models to W&K Precision Engineers for a competitive turning quotation. Call 01377 271041 or email wk.wkprecision@gmail.com. Our Driffield workshop handles everything from single prototypes to full production runs.