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Tolerances

One-Stop Tolerance Service

View full tolerance charts for 5-axis CNC, 3D printing, sheet metal. We deliver ±0.003mm ultra-tight tolerance for medical & aerospace parts.

  • Streamlined design-to-production workflow
  • Consistent tolerance inspection & quality control
  • Cost savings on multi-part projects
Get Custom Tolerance Consultation

Zorapid Tolerance Capabilities | One-Stop Precision Control

Zorapid delivers reliable, consistent tolerance control for CNC machining and rapid prototyping.We follow ISO 2768 global standards, covering standard commercial fits down to ultra-tight micron-level precision for medical, aerospace and electronics parts.

Standard Tolerance

  • Linear dimension: ±0.05–0.1 mm
  • Plastic prototypes: ±0.1–0.2 mm

Rapid Prototyping Tolerance

  • SLA / 3D print: ±0.1 mm typical
  • Vacuum casting: ±0.15–0.25 mm

High Precision Machining

  • Tight tolerance down to ±0.005 mm.
  • Strict geometric tolerances: flatness, parallelism, roundness, perpendicularity.

Quality Control Backing

  • Full CMM inspection for all tight-tolerance orders
  • Unified tolerance specs across prototypes & low-volume runs
  • DFM tolerance review before production to avoid assembly gaps

CNC Machining Tolerance Guidelines

At Zorapid, our standard manufacturing tolerance for CNC machining follows the international ISO 2768 standard. Unless otherwise specified in your engineering drawings or RFQ, parts will be inspected according to the default classifications below.

Linear Dimensions

Need Tighter Tolerances?

Precision Machining

 For critical features such as press-fits, bearing seats, and alignment dowels, Zorapid can achieve a tightest tolerance of ±0.010 mm (±0.0004).

Requirements

State tight tolerances explicitly on uploaded 2D files (PDF, DXF, DWG). Undimensioned tolerances default to the above standard tables.

Surface Roughness

Our standard  as-machined surface finish is Ra 3.2 μm (125 μin). Smoother finishes (e.g., Ra 1.6 μm or Ra 0.8 μm) are available upon request.

Standard Tolerance Chart by Manufacturing Process

DFM Tolerance Optimization Guide

At Zorapid, our DFM engineers provide professional tolerance optimization suggestions for every project — helping you keep functional precision while cutting unnecessary manufacturing costs and shortening lead times.

Differentiate Critical vs. Non-Critical Features

Only tighten tolerance on mating, moving, fitting, and sealing surfaces.
  • Critical features (mount holes, mating surfaces, bearing fits, seal grooves, precision slots) need tight tolerances.
  • Non-critical features: outlines, cosmetic faces, idle walls, loose edges – use standard ISO tolerances.
  • Optimization effect: reduce 20%–40% machining cost while maintaining full part functionality

Avoid Excessively Tight Default Tolerances on Drawings

Many spec ±0.01mm overall, requiring full precision machining & 100% CMM checks.

  • Use ISO 2768-m standard tolerance for general dimensions
  • Reserve precision/ultra-tight tolerance only for key functional dimensions
  • Mark tolerance explicitly on the drawing to avoid misinterpretation

Balance Tolerance, Cost and Lead Time

Tighter tolerance = more machining passes, slower cutting speed, full inspection, longer production time.
  • Standard tolerances: fast, low-cost, ideal for prototypes & general mechanical parts
  • Precision tolerance: balanced cost & accuracy for standard assembly parts
  • Ultra-tight tolerance: only for medical, aerospace, semiconductor critical components

Free DFM Tolerance Pre-Check

Zorapid provides free tolerance DFM analysis for all custom projects before production. We will:
  • Check unreasonable over-tolerance settings
  • Optimize dimension accuracy without affecting your design intent
  • Provide tolerance adjustment suggestions and cost comparison
  • Avoid rework and iteration delays

Zorapid Quality Control Process

We guarantee that every part meets your requested tolerances through a strict, transparent quality management system.

  • CMM for complex shapes & ultra-tight tolerances (±0.005mm min)
  • Optical & video measuring tools: fast non-contact dimension & profile inspection
  • Digital Micrometers & Thread Gauges: For daily, on-machine precision checks.
  • Spectrometer: For 100% material composition verification.
  • Material Certification: Verifying the exact raw material grade used.
  • Full inspection report: Measured dimensions vs drawing specs in detail
  • Certificate of Conformance: Guaranteeing parts match your CAD files.

FAQ

What is the standard machining tolerance Zorapid follows?
We follow ISO 2768 global machining tolerance standards. Our standard tolerance is ±0.02mm, and precision tolerance reaches ±0.01mm for critical parts.
Our 5-axis CNC achieves a minimum tolerance of ±0.003mm, and CNC turning reaches ±0.002mm. Standard prototype tolerance ranges from ±0.01mm to ±0.02mm.
Yes. Ultra-tight tolerances increase machining and inspection costs and extend lead time. We offer free DFM optimization to adjust reasonable tolerances and cut your costs.
Key factors include machine configuration, material properties, part structure, tool condition and post-processing. We adjust processes to guarantee stable precision.
Use ISO 2768-m standard tolerance for common prototypes, and reserve tight tolerance only for assembly and functional surfaces. Contact us for free professional DFM guidance.
SLA 3D printing standard tolerance is ±0.05mm, while metal 3D printing reaches ±0.076mm. Post-machining can further improve precision for critical parts.