1
Atelier Mécanique des Dômes
Lempdes (63)
Precision mechanical manufacturing company founded in 1995 in Lempdes, in the immediate vicinity of Clermont-Ferrand. Produces prototypes as well as small and medium bat…
Machining process
High-Speed Machining: Guide to Choosing a Qualified Subcontractor
High-speed machining (HSM) is a milling or turning technique that combines high spindle speeds, fast feed rates and shallow depths of cut. This combination reduces cutting forces, limits deformation of thin-walled parts and improves the surface finish obtained directly from the tool. HSM is particularly used for molds, aluminum or titanium aerospace parts, complex 3D surfaces and thin-walled components, where productivity and finish quality must coexist without significant manual rework.
Where to find a high-speed machining workshop
Cities are ranked by number of listed workshops. Each page details the companies and their specialities.
Choosing the right supplier
When to choose HSM over another process
HSM becomes the right choice as soon as a part combines complex 3D shapes, thin walls or hard-to-reach areas that would deform under conventional cutting parameters. It is relevant for molds and dies requiring an excellent surface finish without lengthy polishing, for aerospace parts in light alloys or titanium, and for series where cycle time must be reduced without sacrificing dimensional accuracy. Conversely, for massive parts in very hard materials or simple geometries, conventional machining or another technology may remain more cost-effective.
The criteria that truly set two shops apart
Beyond the HSM label, the difference between shops lies in the actual dynamics of the machines: available spindle speed, axis acceleration, structural rigidity and the quality of the CNC control for managing complex toolpaths in continuous 5-axis machining. Achievable tolerances depend on this dynamic performance combined with thermal stability and toolholder selection. The range of materials mastered also varies significantly: aluminum and light alloys are common, but HSM machining of titanium, Inconel or composites requires specific expertise and tooling. Finally, the inspection equipment available (coordinate measuring machine, optical scanner) determines the ability to validate tight tolerances on freeform geometries.
What to prepare to get an accurate quote
A reliable quote relies on a usable 3D CAD model, including critical dimensional and geometric tolerances as well as surface roughness requirements. Specify the chosen material and, if needed, the expected material standard or certificate, the target quantity for prototypes or production runs, any heat treatment or surface finishing required after machining, and the desired lead time. These details allow the subcontractor to accurately estimate cycle time, required tooling and inspection resources, rather than working from assumptions.
Materials most often worked with this process
high-speed machining workshops
A selection of listed workshops, all cities combined.
2
Curty Precision
Saint-Étienne (42)
3
Industrie Dôloise de Micro-Mécanique (IDMM)
Dole (39)
4
LUSINA
Issoire (63)
5
Mecachrome Saint André
Saint-Nazaire (44)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HSM and conventional machining?
HSM uses higher spindle speeds and feed rates with shallower depths of cut, which reduces cutting forces and locally generated heat. This makes it possible to machine fine or complex geometries with a better surface finish and often a shorter cycle time, whereas conventional machining favors larger depths of cut at more moderate speeds.
What materials are commonly machined using HSM?
Aluminum and light alloys are the most common since they respond well to high cutting speeds. HSM is also applied to mold steels, titanium and certain composites, but these materials require specifically adapted tooling, cutting strategies and sometimes machines.
What tolerances can be expected from an HSM-machined part?
Tolerances depend on the machine, material and geometry, but HSM generally allows dimensional accuracy in the range of a hundredth of a millimeter on complex surfaces, with a fine surface finish obtained directly from the tool without rework.
Is HSM suitable for small batches or only for mass production?
HSM is well suited to both prototypes and small batches, particularly for complex-geometry parts where programming time is quickly offset by the quality achieved, as well as to larger production runs where reduced cycle time becomes a direct economic advantage.