CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

VT machining provides CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel for customers who need accurate, repeatable Stainless Steel components. Because Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong, hygienic (304/316 grades), we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.

CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel at VT machining
CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Gear Cutting Capability for Stainless Steel

  • Multiple gear types
  • Profile accuracy class
  • Custom modules
  • Hardened-blank ready

Stainless Steel Material Data

Stainless Steel — typical properties, quoted for 304
Density8.00 g/cm³
Tensile strength515 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)205 MPa
Hardness170 HB
Melting point1400–1450 °C
Thermal conductivity16.2 W/m·K
Thermal expansion17.3 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity2.4%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)45%
Grades we run303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, 410, 416, 420, 17-4PH, 2205 duplex

Published typical values for 304. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Stainless Steel — what actually causes trouble

It work-hardens the moment a tool dwells. Constant feed and positive-rake tooling; a rubbing pass leaves a glazed skin the next tool cannot get through.

How CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel Works

Tooth profiles are generated in the Stainless Steel blank by a synchronised cutter, then refined to the required accuracy class. Module, pressure angle and helix are programmed from your gear data.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Accuracy classDIN 8 / AGMA 10DIN 6 / AGMA 12
Profile deviation0.020 mm0.008 mm
Lead deviation0.020 mm0.008 mm
Pitch deviation (cumulative)0.040 mm0.015 mm
Runout0.030 mm0.010 mm
Tooth surface finishRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm (ground)
Module rangem0.5–m8m1–m6

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Gear Cutting Tolerances & Surface Finish

Gear features are produced to a specified DIN/AGMA accuracy class, with profile and lead controlled for quiet, durable running under load.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Design Tips for CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Providing complete gear data (module, pressure angle, profile shift, quality class) lets us produce Stainless Steel gears right the first time. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

CNC Gear Cutting Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Stainless Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Working with Stainless Steel

As a material, Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong, hygienic (304/316 grades). Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Stainless Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

Applications of CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

Customers order CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Stainless Steel

Three representative CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.

Worm and wheel set

Material
Stainless Steel
Size
m3, single start
Key callouts
Backlash 0.05–0.10 mm as a matched pair
Batch
120 sets

Supplied as matched sets and marked, because mixing pairs loses the backlash spec.

Internal ring gear

Material
Stainless Steel
Size
m2.5, z72, ID 190 mm
Key callouts
DIN 8, pitch deviation 0.03 mm
Batch
150 pcs

Shaped rather than hobbed — an internal gear leaves no room for a hob to run out.

Spur gear

Material
Stainless Steel
Size
m2, z40, 20° PA, face 20 mm
Key callouts
DIN 7, runout 0.02 mm
Batch
500 pcs

Hobbed, hardened, then hard-finished; skipping the finish pass costs a full accuracy class.

Finishing Options for Stainless Steel

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Citric passivationASTM A967 / AMS 2700, removes free iron
Electropolish5–25 µm removedRa improves by roughly half, hygienic surface
Brushed / grainedRa 0.4–1.6 µmNo. 4 finish, directional
PVD coating2–5 µmTiN, TiCN for wear surfaces
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
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No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Stainless Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Gear Cutting

Other Processes for Stainless Steel

Send the drawing, the Stainless Steel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Can VT machining make custom Stainless Steel parts to my drawing?

Yes. Stainless Steel Stainless Steel gear cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

What material thickness or size range suits CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel?

We machine Stainless Steel across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.

Which industries use CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel parts?

CNC Gear Cutting Stainless Steel parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Stainless Steel components are required.

What gear accuracy class can you achieve on Stainless Steel?

Gear accuracy is specified to DIN/AGMA classes appropriate to the application. Profile and lead are controlled so Stainless Steel gears run accurately and quietly under load.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Gear Cutting on Stainless Steel?

Machined Stainless Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.