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Aerospace & Defense

 High-precision components, tooling, and fixtures for aerospace and defense programs, machined to print with documented inspection, material traceability, and dependable delivery. 

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Precision Manufacturing for Mission-Critical Standards

Precision matters in aerospace. A component off by two ten-thousandths doesn't just fail inspection, it can ground a program. Steelcrest Precision machines mission-critical aerospace and defense components to tolerances as tight as ±0.0002", CMM-verified and documented from first article forward.

Bring us the parts other shops turn down. From prototype to production, 100+ CNC machines — 5-axis, multi-tasking, Swiss, EDM, and precision grinding — deliver the accuracy your program demands on the schedule it can't afford to miss.

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What is Aerospace CNC Machining?

Aerospace CNC machining is the computer-controlled cutting of high-strength metals into flight-critical and defense components — parts where dimensional accuracy, material traceability, and documented inspection aren't preferences but requirements. That's where Steelcrest Precision comes in. We machine to tolerances tighter than general machining demands, with certified materials, multi-axis equipment for complex geometries, and a quality system that records proof at every step. The part matters; the paperwork proving the part matters just as much. 

Steelcrests' Aerospace Expertise

Our machinists and engineers take on aerospace work that pushes past standard machining. Whether the part calls for 5-axis machining, multi-tasking turn-mill, swiss turning, wire EDM, or precision grinding, Steelcrest Precision delivers components held to exacting tolerances and verified before they ship.

The prints that make other shops hesitate are usually the ones we're built for. We work directly with your engineering team from drawing review forward, machining high-accuracy parts in demanding materials backed by four decades of toolroom experience and a floor of more than 100 CNC machines.

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Materials We Machine for Aerospace Parts

Aerospace manufacturing runs on trusted materials, grades with proven histories in flight and defense applications, certified and traceable from mill to finished part. Steelcrest Precision machines the stainless steels, alloy steels, nickel alloys, titanium, aluminum, and high-performance plastics aerospace prints call for, and the certs ship with the parts. Select a material to see the grades we run and where they are used. 

stainless steel

Stainless Steel

Corrosion-resistant grades for aerospace hardware, from structural 304 to precipitation-hardening 17-4 PH. All grades machined regularly, with material certifications delivered with the parts.
Grade Typical Application  
304 Housing, brackets, general hardware
316 Corrosion-critical components
17-4 PH High-strength precision shafts and parts 
410 Valve and wear components
420 Wear components, precision-ground pins
440C Bearing races and high-hardness wear details

 

Precipitation-Harding Stainless

Precipitation-Hardening Stainless

High strength with corrosion resistance, and far less distortion through heat treat than a through-hardening grade. That combination is why aerospace prints reach for it on precision shafts and structural details.
Grade Typical Application  
17-4 PH High-strength precision shafts and structural parts
15-5 PH Cleaner-microstructure alternative for critical details

 

alloy steels

Alloy Steels

High-strength structural, drive, and landing gear components. Supplied annealed for machining and heat treated after, or pre-hardened where the finished condition comes from the mill.
Grade Typical Application
4130 Tubular and welded structural compo
4140 Shafts, fittings, high-load details
4340 High-load shafts and pins
8630 Weldable high-strength structural components
300M Landing gear and ultra-high-strength components

 

case-hardening steels

Case-Hardening Steels

Carburizing grades that finish with a hard wear surface over a tough core, which is exactly what gear teeth and bearing surfaces need to survive flight cycles.
Grade Typical Application
8620 Gears, splines, and bushings
9310 Transmission gears and high-load drive components

 

nickel alloys

Nickel Alloys

Strength and oxidation resistance at temperatures that take the strength out of steel, for hot section, exhaust, and high-temperature fastening hardware. Machined with the rigidity, feeds, and tooling nickel superalloys demand.
Grade Typical Application
INCONEL 625 Exhaust, ducting, and corrosion-critical components
INCONEL 718 High-temperature structural and rotating components
INCONEL 600 High-temperature and corrosion service parts
INCONEL X-750 Springs, fasteners, high-temperature hardware
Nickel 200 and 201 Chemical and process handling components

 

titanium

Titanium

Strength-to-weight where every pound is designed out, plus corrosion resistance that outlasts the airframe. Machined with the rigidity, feeds, and coolant strategy titanium requires rather than treated as another alloy steel.
Grade Typical Application
Grade 1 through 4, commercially pure Corrosion-resistant fittings and ducting components
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) Structural fittings, brackets, flight hardware
Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo High-temperature structural components

 

aluminum

Aluminum

The volume material of airframe structure, chosen for strength-to-weight, machinability, and a surface that comes off the machine ready for treatment.
Grade Typical Application
6061 Brackets, housings, mounting structure
6063 Extruded rail, trim, and framing components
7075 High-strength structural fittings and machines details
2024 Fatigue-critical structural components

 

composites

Composites

Lightweight structure and electrically insulating detail, machined with the tooling geometry and dust extraction composite work requires.
Grade Typical Application
CFRP Lightweight structural panels and components
Carbon fiber/epoxy laminate Structural panels, plates, stiffeners
Linen and paper phenolic Insulating, bearing, and wear components 

 

high-performance plastics

High-Performance Plastics

PEEK where a polymer has to hold up to temperature, chemicals, and load at the same time, in the places metal is heavier than the design can afford.
Grade Typical Application
Unfilled PEEK Bushings, seals, insulating components
Glass-filled PEEK Dimensionally stable structural details
Carbon-filled PEEK Wear components and low-friction bearings

 

Aerospace Machining Tolerances & Capabilities

Aerospace work is won or lost before the first chip — in drawing review, process planning, and honest answers about what a machine can hold. Every aerospace project at Steelcrest starts with an engineering review of your print: tolerance challenges flagged early, processes matched to features, and inspection planned from the start, so design intent and manufacturing capability agree before metal moves. 

✓ 5-Axis Machining for Complex Geometries: Six Haas UMC-750 machining centers handle compound angles, angled holes, and multi-sided features in a single setup — eliminating the stacked error of repositioning — with capacity to 30" × 20" × 20" and tolerances of ±0.001".

✓ Precision Turning & Mill-Turn to ±0.0002": Shafts, sleeves, and fittings with tight concentricity and runout requirements run on our Mazak turning fleet — up to 26" diameter × 160" long — while INTEGREX and HYPER QUADREX mill-turn platforms finish complex parts in one setup.

✓ Swiss Turning for Small Precision Hardware: Star and Citizen Swiss lathes machine small-diameter, feature-dense components — long, slender geometries held stable to ±0.0002" with the repeatability flight hardware demands.

✓ EDM & Precision Grinding for the Tightest Callouts: Wire and RAM EDM cut hardened materials without cutting pressure (to 31" × 28" × 11"), and precision grinding delivers final sizes to ±0.0002" with finishes down to 8 Ra.

CNC Machining for the Aerospace Industry

The CNC experts at Steelcrest Precision manufactures tight-tolerance components used throughout aerospace and defense applications, including flight hardware, sensor mounting, actuation systems, airframe assemblies, and ground support equipment. Every component is produced to exact specifications using high-performance materials such as stainless steel, alloy steel, aluminum, and Inconel.

Our broad in-house capabilities allow us to support complex aerospace components from low-volume builds through repeat production. With 5-axis milling, multi-tasking and Swiss turning, wire EDM, and precision grinding. Steelcrest delivers precise geometries, critical features, and repeatable quality, backed by material traceability, documented inspection, and first article reporting.

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Components We Build for the Aerospace Industry

Part Application  Process Used Material Critical Feature
Ribs Cross sectional members that maintain shape of wing Milling 7075 Aluminum Thin wall (.04) flatness withing .010 over 80" 
Anti-Rotation Washers Special washers that prevent nuts, bolts, and components from loosening under vibration, shock, or thermal cycling Milling 17-4 H900 Thin wall (.06) complex geometry
Lift Mechanism Key components for take off and landing 5-Axis Machining  17-4 SS Complex geometry, tight true positional tolerances (.001)
CRN Rail Splice Specialized interconnect assembly used to join or terminate electrical wires in a Current Return Network 5-Axis Machining 7075 Aluminum Critical bore dimensions (+/-.001)
Fitting Assemblies Precision engineered connectors that join hoses, tubes, and other fluid lines to ensure leak free and vibration-resistant connections 5-Axis Machining 7075 Aluminum Complex geometry and profile tolerances of +/- .001

Learn More About Our Aerospace Machining Capabilities

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Frequently asked questions

What tolerances can Steelcrest Precision hold on aerospace components?

Steelcrest Precision holds aerospace machining tolerances as tight as ±0.0002" on precision grinding, wire EDM, and precision turning. Every tolerance is verified on Hexagon CMMs running PC-DMIS, with first article documentation from the first part forward.

What materials does Steelcrest Precision machine for aerospace and defense?

Steelcrest Precision machines stainless steels including 17-4 PH, alloy and case-hardening steels, nickel alloys including INCONEL 625, titanium, aluminum, composites, and high-performance plastics such as PEEK. Material certifications travel with the parts when required. 

What machining processes does Steelcrest Precision use for aerospace work?

 Steelcrest Precision machines aerospace components using 5-axis machining, mill-turn machining, Swiss turning, wire EDM, RAM EDM, and precision grinding. Equipment includes Haas UMC-750 5-axis centers, Mazak INTEGREX and HYPER QUADREX multi-tasking platforms, and Star and Citizen Swiss lathes. 

Is Steelcrest Precision ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified?

Steelcrest Precision is ISO 9001 certified. The shop machines to AS9100-compliant processes and is pursuing full AS9100 certification, with first article documentation, material traceability, and CMM inspection records standard on every job. 

What inspection and documentation comes with aerospace parts?

Steelcrest Precision provides first article documentation, CMM inspection records, and material certifications on aerospace and defense work. Inspection is part of the standard process rather than an added charge. 

Can Steelcrest Precision machine low-volume or prototype aerospace parts?

Steelcrest Precision machines one-piece legacy replacements, validation batches, and recurring production in the same shop. Every job is quoted the same way, with a response within 48 hours. 

What lead times should I expect on aerospace machining?

Steelcrest Precision quotes standard domestic lead times of 4 to 6 weeks, depending on quantity, material availability, and finishing requirements. Quotes come back within 48 hours of a complete package.