A: Our minimum order quantity is 10 pieces — and that applies to custom parts, not just stock items. You can order a 10-piece prototype run to validate fit and function before committing to volume. Because we machine in-house on CNC lathes rather than through tooling, low-volume runs are economical rather than exceptional. The same 10-piece minimum applies to custom dimensions, custom finishes and custom packaging options, though each of these is quoted separately.

A: Yes. Mechanical closures are fully within our scope — including quarter-turn bayonet, threaded screw-lock, positive snap interlock, toggle and screw-pin shackle designs. If your specification rules out a magnet-only closure, we will design the mechanical feature as the sole load path, so the part holds its rated pull force with no magnetic reliance. We can optionally add a magnet purely as an alignment aid to help the two halves self-locate before the mechanism engages, but it never carries structural load. Send us your drawing or a sketch and we will recommend a mechanism suited to your size envelope, target pull force and expected cycle life.

A: We machine 304 and 316L stainless steel and titanium. 304 and 316L are our core materials — 316L is marine grade and recommended for saltwater, outdoor and skin-contact applications, and can be passivated to improve corrosion resistance and reduce nickel release. Titanium suits lightweight, hypoallergenic and high-strength requirements. Achievable tolerances for titanium confirmed per drawing, as material behaviour differs from stainless steel.

A: Yes — small parts are a speciality, not an exception. We routinely machine stainless steel components at the 1 mm scale, including pins as fine as a sewing needle, held to tolerances within ±0.01 mm. This covers micro findings, connector bodies, miniature shackles, rings and custom turned parts. Micro-scale work is where tolerance consistency matters most, so we hold prototype and production parts to the same specification — a sample that fits will still fit at 10,000 units. If your geometry is tight, send the drawing and we will confirm what is achievable before you commit.

A: No mould is required. CNC machining is a subtractive process: our engineers program the toolpath, set the parameters, and the raw bar stock goes straight onto the machine. There is no mould to design, build or pay for. This is exactly why a 10-piece minimum order works economically, and why a functional sample can be delivered in about three weeks. Complex geometries may require a custom fixture or jig to hold the part during machining — but a fixture costs a fraction of a mould, and we will tell you upfront if your design needs one.

A: Tooling, fixtures and CAD developed specifically for your project and paid for by you are yours, and we will not produce or sell the identical design to anyone else. Our general-purpose mechanism designs are offered with regional exclusivity on request. Confidentiality is standard — we are happy to sign an NDA before you share drawings.

A: No. We are a CNC machining specialist. Sand casting, die casting and investment casting fall outside our manufacturing scope, and we will tell you directly if your component requires a cast geometry rather than quoting for something we cannot do well. For turned, drilled, tapped and polished parts in stainless steel, titanium, we are the right supplier.