Our resources

Discover resources to support engineers, buyers and manufacturers – from case studies and videos to guides, 
articles and downloads. Get the insights you need to make confident decisions and deliver precise results.

Featured resources

Article

How much does CNC machining cost?

How much does CNC machining cost in the UK? Learn what drives CNC machining prices, from material and tolerances to batch size, inspection, and finishing.

Article

How long does CNC machining take? UK lead times explained

Realistic CNC machining lead times in the UK — from prototypes to production. Learn what drives delays and how structured call-off or Kanban models reduce risk.

Designing better enclosures collection

Article

Electronic enclosure design for machining

Video

Manufacturing an enclosure using a pyramid fixture on a 5-axis CNC machine

Guide

Which manufacturing method is best for enclosures?

Guide

How to design a waterproof enclosure for machining

Guide

Custom enclosures: from design to manufacture

All resources

Design
Supply
Materials
Technology
Packaging
Research
Scientific
Medical
OEM
Military
Marine
Electronics
Aerospace
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Article

2023 - A year in review

From the arrival or 17 new team members, investment in 2 new machines for our workshop to being shortlisted for 2 business awards and climbing to the summit of Pen Y Fan - it's been some year! Our latest blog reflects on a busy and productive 2023 for the Penta team.

Guide

Custom enclosures: from design to manufacture

Article

Unlock cost-effective precision machining

If you're trying to get a component within a specific budget, consistently getting quotes that are just too high is going to cause you problems. Here are a few tips on how to optimise your design and get your component in budget.

Article

Need a new set of threads? Specifying threads for CNC machining

Delve deep into the art of threads design, manufacturing, and more. In this blog we explore in detail how to select and specify threads for CNC machining as well as draw your attention to key design considerations. We also take you through how Penta machine threads to give you more background for your design.

Article

Is your supplier ghosting you? How to improve supplier communication

It's all too common. At the start of a relationship, everything's rosy. But then you take the next step... and bam. You've been ghosted. What next? In this blog, we take you through what might be a familiar situation when it comes to communication from your CNC machining supplier, what the horrifying cost of that might be, and how you can improve communication with your existing or new supplier.

Article

Has pre-production exposed hidden problems? Solve your CNC prototyping challenges

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.

Guide

How to design a waterproof enclosure for machining

Article

Design for manufacturability (DFM) - Why collaboration is crucial

From cost-efficiency to tight schedules, quality demands, and specific application requirements - there are so many factors to consider and balance during the component design phase. In this blog, we dive into the world of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) – a critical early-stage process in production development that can make or break your project's success.

Article

Future-proof supply chain: 3 key strategies

When the economic backdrop is challenging, taking steps to secure your supply chain is one way to feel more in control. Director Mark Walker shares three top tips for securing your supply chain when sourcing CNC machined parts.

Article

Why tolerance matters: The why and how of specifying tolerances for CNC machining

In the world of CNC machining, precision is paramount. One key aspect of achieving precision is specifying tolerances. Tolerances define the allowable variation in dimensions for a given part. In this blog post, we will explore what tolerances are, why they matter in CNC machining and how to effectively specify them for optimal results.

Article

Electronic enclosure design for machining

Designing an electronic enclosure isn't always straightforward, and keeping costs down can be crucial for making the end product financially viable. From material choice to surface finish, there are decisions made across the whole manufacturing process where you may be adding unnecessary costs.

Article

The limitations of data sheets for CNC machined component design

When it comes to CNC machining, data sheets are often relied upon by designers to guide their decision-making process. However, they do have their limitations in the context of CNC component design. Learn about these limitations and how to overcome them.

Article

Why is my CNC machining supplier less helpful now?

Exploring some common issues that may have arisen with your once reliable, existing CNC machining supplier. From quality and consistency concerns to communication gaps and inflexible approaches, we shed light on the signs that indicate it might be time to consider a new supplier. We delve into the reasons behind these frustrations and help you navigate the process of finding a more reliable CNC machining partner.

Video

Using a mill turn machine

Article

Precision machining quality issues: A checklist for success

If your machined components arrive with quality issues, this may not be simply a problem with your supplier producing components to drawing. In reality, quality issues are a symptom of a bigger problem. Find out why this occurs and ensure it doesn't happen in the future.

Nothing to show right now

Looks like there aren’t any resources that match your selection. Try adjusting your filters or reset all filters to start fresh. We’re always adding new content, check back soon for the latest guides, articles, videos and more.
Resources archive