CNC Machining in China: Parts, Tolerances and Quotes
CCB sources CNC turned and milled parts in China against your drawings, then coordinates samples, inspection and the agreed delivery. Start with the function and critical dimensions: unit quotes are not comparable if material, finish, measurement method or freight scope differs.
We reply the same working day to confirm receipt and arrange next steps.
What to send us for a quote
Send revision-controlled STEP files and dimensioned PDF drawings, order and repeat quantities, material grade, heat treatment, surface finish, mating parts and delivery postcode. Mark datums, critical fits, threads and inspection requirements. Identify confidential files before sharing them.
What drives the cost?
Material condition, machining access, set-ups, thin walls, deep pockets, tool wear, deburring, finish and inspection effort drive cost. Ask which features need dedicated fixtures. ISO 2768-1 covers general linear and angular tolerances where the drawing invokes it; it is not a blanket promise for every feature. Specify individual critical tolerances and the agreed edition.
How is quality controlled?
Approve a first article with a drawing-linked dimensional report, material evidence and finish checks before releasing the batch. Agree measuring equipment and datums, in-process checks for critical features, and pre-shipment sampling under ISO 2859-1 where appropriate. AQL sampling does not replace checks on safety-critical dimensions.
What affects lead time?
Material availability, drawing clarification, fixture design, heat treatment, finishing queues, first-article changes and inspection access determine the schedule. Separate sample approval from production release and confirm dispatch after those dependencies are understood.
What should UK importers check?
Confirm the commodity code, customs value, origin, importer of record and EORI with your broker. Duty depends on classification and applicable trade measures. Check product-specific UKCA or CE requirements where relevant; a component or factory certificate does not establish conformity of the finished product. Great Britain and Northern Ireland can follow different routes.
Where can I see relevant factory profiles?
Use the industry directory as a starting point, then check the profile’s evidence and verification status. A listing is not proof of capability for your drawing.
Standards and regulatory sources
Check the applicable market and agreed edition; naming a standard is not a certificate of compliance.
What you get
- A UK sourcing company with its own team in China, coordinating your brief and supplier questions.
- A written specification, acceptance criteria and delivery responsibilities agreed before commitment.
- Evidence and open questions recorded for your approval.
What we do
- Review your files and intended use; clarify specification, inspection scope and delivery.
- Compare supplier proposals or agree the check scope, including exclusions and required evidence.
- Coordinate samples or on-site work, record findings and obtain your approval before the next commitment.
- Arrange the agreed production follow-up, inspection, report and delivery paperwork.
Cambridge China Bridge in brief
- Buying from Chinese factories since 2021 (the company was incorporated in September 2022), for our own businesses and for clients on the same terms.
- Our own staff are based in China, at two bases: the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan) and the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu). They visit factories themselves.
- Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
- Audits and inspections are usually included in the quote for an order placed with us; complex checks that need a third party are charged extra, agreed first.
- Orders run from a first trial to scheduled full containers; the factory’s own minimum is stated in the quote.
- In one project, a UK EV charging operator cut unit cost by 70% and scaled 3× faster. In another, a multi-site Cambridge café chain saved 50% on packaging.
- A UK company in Cambridge and London: Cambridge China Bridge is the trading name of Piggy Pineapple Ltd, company number 14385590.
- Send 1–3 products you buy now and what you pay. We compare the same specification, quantity, inspection and delivery scope to establish a cost benchmark.
- A reference call with a past client can be arranged, with that client’s agreement.
How we charge
Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
Our margin is included in the quoted price or shown separately as a service fee. The service fee depends on the agreed scope, including products, samples, inspections and ongoing supply.
Questions buyers ask
Can you guarantee a tolerance from a CAD model alone?
No. A model needs a dimensioned drawing with datums, tolerances and acceptance methods. We ask the factory to confirm feasibility feature by feature before quoting.
What do you need before quoting?
Send revision-controlled STEP files and dimensioned PDF drawings, order and repeat quantities, material grade, heat treatment, surface finish, mating parts and delivery postcode. Mark datums, critical fits, threads and inspection requirements. Identify confidential files before sharing them.
What changes the price?
Material condition, machining access, set-ups, thin walls, deep pockets, tool wear, deburring, finish and inspection effort drive cost. Ask which features need dedicated fixtures. ISO 2768-1 covers general linear and angular tolerances where the drawing invokes it; it is not a blanket promise for every feature. Specify individual critical tolerances and the agreed edition.
How do you check the order?
Approve a first article with a drawing-linked dimensional report, material evidence and finish checks before releasing the batch. Agree measuring equipment and datums, in-process checks for critical features, and pre-shipment sampling under ISO 2859-1 where appropriate. AQL sampling does not replace checks on safety-critical dimensions.
When can the goods or report be ready?
Material availability, drawing clarification, fixture design, heat treatment, finishing queues, first-article changes and inspection access determine the schedule. Separate sample approval from production release and confirm dispatch after those dependencies are understood.
How do I start an enquiry?
Use the contact page to send your brief and existing files. We clarify scope, evidence gaps, delivery and the next approval. Phone, WhatsApp or a Meet call can be arranged through that page.