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54 straight answers

Precision Machining FAQ.

Everything customers ask us about quoting, tolerances, materials, documentation, and working with a South Florida machine shop.

11 questions

Working with us

Where is Micro Tool Engineering located?

7575 Central Industrial Dr, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, in Palm Beach County, just east of I-95 at the Blue Heron Blvd exit (#76).

What areas of South Florida do you serve?

All of South Florida and the Treasure Coast: Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. We also ship nationwide.

What file types can I send?

STEP, SolidWorks, IGES, DXF, and PDF drawings. If you only have a sketch or a sample part, send it and we'll talk it through.

How long does a quote take?

Typically about 48 hours from a complete print, with design-for-manufacturability feedback from an engineer.

Will you sign an NDA?

Yes. Send yours and we'll sign it before you share drawings.

Do you take prototype work?

Yes, especially when there's a path to production. Taking a part from first article to repeat runs is what we do best.

Can you handle assembly, or just parts?

Either. We make components only, components plus assembly, or the full product, plus service and repair after it ships.

Do you repair equipment?

Yes. We service and repair precision equipment and machined assemblies, including equipment we've built for customers. Call to arrange drop-off.

What kind of products are the best fit?

Durable, reusable medical equipment and other precision products where documentation matters, usually repeat work. We're not the right shop for very high-volume disposables.

Can I visit the shop?

Yes. Call ahead at (561) 842-7381 and we'll walk you through the floor and introduce you to the people who'll make your parts.

Is Micro Tool Engineering family owned?

Yes. The shop opened in 1968, incorporated in 1972, and is 100% family owned, now in its third generation.

22 questions

Capabilities

What tolerances can you hold on milled parts?

±.0005" is our everyday standard, and we hold ±.0001" on critical features with documented in-process inspection. Learn more

Do you machine plastics as well as metals?

Yes. We regularly machine PEEK, Ultem, Delrin, and other engineered plastics alongside titanium, stainless, and aluminum. Learn more

Can you take a part from prototype to production?

Yes. The same programs, fixtures, and inspection plans carry from first article into production, so you never re-qualify a vendor. Learn more

What's the advantage of Swiss machining?

The guide bushing supports the bar right at the cut, so long, thin parts stay rigid and concentric — and complex parts finish in a single cycle. Learn more

Is Swiss machining only for high volume?

It shines at volume, but we also run short production lots when a part's geometry calls for it. Learn more

When should I use EDM instead of milling?

When you need sharp internal corners, very thin walls, or features in hardened material that a cutter can't reach or would deflect. Learn more

Does EDM affect the material?

EDM leaves a thin recast layer; we control it with skim passes and can remove it where your application requires. Learn more

How small can you go?

Send us the print — we routinely machine sub-millimeter features and will tell you plainly during DFM if a feature needs a different approach. Learn more

How do you inspect micro features?

With optical and vision measurement systems under magnification, documented in your inspection report. Learn more

Why keep prototypes and production with one shop?

You avoid re-qualification, keep tribal knowledge in one place, and scale without re-learning the part. Learn more

Do you support process validation?

Yes — FAI and PPAP documentation as standard, and IQ/OQ/PQ support for medical programs. Learn more

Do you provide first article inspection reports?

Yes — documented FAI with every new part number or revision, plus PPAP on request. Learn more

Can I get material certs?

Every order ships with material certifications and full lot traceability. Learn more

Do you repair equipment you didn't build?

Often, yes. Call or send photos and we'll tell you whether it's a repair, a remake, or a rebuild, and what it will take. Learn more

Can you make a replacement part without a drawing?

Yes. We measure the original, confirm the material, and machine a replacement. We can also create a drawing for future orders. Learn more

Do you service medical equipment?

Yes. We service and repair durable medical equipment under our FDA-registered quality system, with documented records for each unit. Learn more

Can I drop off equipment in person?

Yes. Call (561) 842-7381 to arrange a drop-off at 7575 Central Industrial Dr in Riviera Beach. Learn more

Can you assemble the parts you machine?

Yes. We build components only, components plus assembly, or the complete product, and service it afterward. Learn more

Do you build kits?

Yes. For example, we build and ship medical loaner kits with about 200 machined pieces per order. Learn more

Can you source purchased parts?

Yes. We source hardware and purchased components and manage outside finishing under our quality system. Learn more

Should I 3D print or machine my prototype?

Print when you need to check fit and form quickly. Machine when the prototype has to perform like the real part, in the real material, at real tolerances. Learn more

Can a printed prototype move to machined production with you?

Yes. That's the point: we take the design from printed model to machined prototype to production without changing suppliers. Learn more

15 questions

Materials

Is titanium hard to machine?

It's harder than steel or aluminum to machine well. It retains heat and work-hardens, so it needs rigid setups, sharp tooling, and controlled speeds. We machine it routinely. Learn more

Which titanium grade is used for medical devices?

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) and Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) are the most common for implants and instruments; Grade 2 is used where formability and corrosion resistance matter more than strength. Learn more

Do you provide material certifications for titanium?

Yes. Every titanium order ships with mill certifications and full lot traceability. Learn more

What's the difference between 303 and 316 stainless?

303 contains sulfur, so it machines easily but is less corrosion resistant. 316/316L has molybdenum for better corrosion resistance and is common in medical and marine parts, but it's harder to machine. Learn more

Can you machine hardened stainless?

Yes. We machine 17-4 PH and 440C before or after heat treat, using EDM or finishing passes where a hardened feature needs it. Learn more

Do you passivate stainless parts?

We coordinate passivation and other finishes through qualified outside services, controlled under our quality system. Learn more

Can PEEK hold tight tolerances?

Yes, with the right process. PEEK is relatively stable among plastics; we stress-relieve, rough, and finish in stages to hold tight tolerances. Learn more

Do you machine medical-grade PEEK?

Yes, with material certification and traceability through our FDA-registered quality system. Learn more

What's your largest plastic production run?

One of our largest single orders was 6,000 machined plastic components, all delivered to print. Learn more

6061 or 7075 aluminum?

6061 is versatile, weldable, and cost-effective for most parts. 7075 is much stronger and used where strength-to-weight matters, but it costs more and isn't weldable. Learn more

Can you anodize aluminum parts?

Yes. We coordinate Type II and Type III anodizing through qualified finishers. If you have a preferred finisher, tell us in your request. Learn more

How fast can you make aluminum prototypes?

Aluminum is our fastest material to prototype. Send the print and we'll give you a real lead time with the quote. Learn more

Can you machine Inconel?

Yes. We machine Inconel 625 and 718 with controlled cutting and EDM, depending on the feature. Learn more

Do you machine Nitinol?

Yes. Nitinol is commonly cut with wire EDM and careful micro-machining to preserve its properties. Learn more

Is EDM better for hard alloys?

Often. EDM removes material without cutting forces, so hardened or tough alloys don't deflect or distort. Learn more

6 questions

South Florida service areas

Is there a precision machine shop near West Palm Beach?

Yes. Micro Tool Engineering is at 7575 Central Industrial Dr in Riviera Beach, about 8 miles (15 minutes) north of downtown West Palm Beach via I-95 exit 76. Learn more

How far is Micro Tool Engineering from Jupiter?

About 14 miles, roughly 20 minutes south on I-95 to exit 76 (Blue Heron Blvd) in Riviera Beach. Learn more

Is there an FDA-registered machine shop near Boca Raton?

Yes. Micro Tool Engineering in Riviera Beach has been FDA registered since 2004 and is about 40 minutes north of Boca Raton on I-95. Learn more

Do you serve customers in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County?

Yes. We regularly quote and deliver to Broward County. The shop is about 50 miles north in Riviera Beach, under an hour on I-95. Learn more

Do you work with Miami companies?

Yes. We serve customers across Miami-Dade County from our shop in Riviera Beach, about 80 minutes north on I-95. Learn more

Do you serve Stuart and Port St. Lucie?

Yes. Our Riviera Beach shop is about 40 minutes south of Stuart and 50 minutes from Port St. Lucie on I-95. Learn more

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Our engineers review every drawing for manufacturability and return a detailed quote — typically within 48 hours. Confidential, with an NDA on request.

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  • DFM feedback included
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