Low Volume CNC Machining, 1 to 1000 Pieces
Batch sizes from one piece to a thousand, on the same machines and under the same CMM reporting as volume production. No tooling, no MOQ, quote in 24 hours.
Small Batches Without the Tooling Tax
Low volume is where CNC beats every alternative that needs a mold or a die: nothing to amortize, so batch size flexes with your demand. KGL runs low-volume families on the same production machines as our volume programs, with the same CMM reporting, so your pilot batch and your thousandth batch leave under one quality system.
Delivery Cycle Table
| Batch size | Typical lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 pcs | 7 to 15 days | no MOQ, single-piece quoting |
| 11 to 100 pcs | 1.5 to 2.5 weeks | fixture programs reused |
| 100 to 500 pcs | 2 to 4 weeks | batch sampling per AQL plan |
| 500 to 1000 pcs | 4 to 6 weeks | multi-machine scheduling, FAI on request |
Where Low Volume Fits Your Program
| Program stage | Batch | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Design validation builds | 1 to 10 pcs | 7 to 15 days |
| Pilot runs before market test | 10 to 100 pcs | 1.5 to 2.5 weeks |
| Bridge production before molding | 100 to 1000 pcs | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Service and spare parts | any size, rolling | programs kept on file |
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Batch range | 1 to 1000 pieces per order, rolling schedules supported |
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm standard, ±0.002 mm on critical 5-axis features |
| Inspection | CMM report every order; FAI per AS9102 on request |
| Quote | 24 hours on complete 2D/3D files |
Economics we state in the quote: setup and programming amortize over the batch, so unit price falls in steps, not linearly. Where a batch might grow into molding territory, we say so and quote both routes, because keeping the bridge production honest is part of the job.
Related pages: rapid prototyping for the single-digit batch end, prototype to production for the full NPI path, AQL sampling for how batches are accepted.
Cross entrances: by industry | by material | inspection and QC.
Low Volume CNC FAQ
Why is CNC economic at 1 to 1000 pieces when molding is not?
No tooling. Injection molding amortizes a mold over tens of thousands of parts; CNC amortizes a program over one. Below roughly a thousand pieces the program cost disappears and the machining time dominates, which is a trade we quote openly against molding when volumes might grow.
What are realistic lead times by quantity?
One to ten pieces usually ship in 7 to 15 days after quote approval. One hundred pieces runs 2 to 3 weeks. One thousand pieces runs 4 to 6 weeks depending on finishing and inspection scope. The table above shows the full pattern.
Do you support repeat batches with changing volumes?
Yes, most low-volume customers order on a rolling schedule. Programs, fixtures and inspection records stay filed under the part number, so a second batch of a different size does not restart engineering.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No. One piece is quotable, and volume pricing kicks in as the batch grows. The economic batch for most families starts around 100 pieces where setup amortization becomes visible.
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Quote with engineering feedback within 24 hours; prototypes in 7 to 15 days.
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