
A practical guide to CNC turning for engineers and buyers, covering turning operations, materials, tolerances, costs, limitations and supplier selection.

CNC prototyping is an essential step in bringing your product to life. It lets you see how your design performs in the real world and identify issues early. However, turning that prototype into a production-ready part can be tougher than you think.

Choosing the wrong material can lead to costly failures, production delays, and unreliable parts. Hardness testing helps you avoid these issues by showing how materials respond to pressure, wear, and force. It provides the data you need to make confident and cost-effective decisions. This guide covers the most widely used hardness testing methods, including Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Knoop, and Shore.