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Oakland Machine Shop

Fathom’s CNC machining experts in Oakland, CA deliver high-quality, high-precision fast-turnaround metal and plastic parts by way of state-of-the-art modern machining methods. Companies based in the Bay Area trust Fathom with CNC machining projects that are time-sensitive, short production run related, involve high-complexity and require high-precision. Our Oakland-based machine shop is your one-stop shop for machining services.  

Fathom Machine Shop in Oakland

Fathom Digital Manufacturing has been offering CNC machining services for the manufacture of precision plastic or metal parts in the Bay Area since 2008. Our high-speed CNC machines are equipped with the latest software programming. Our machinists can produce complex pieces directly from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) data with detail-oriented precision using 3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis CNC machines, including vertical milling machines, horizontal milling machines and lathes. 

Fathom 5-Axis CNC Machine

Our Bay Area machine shop employs CNC machinery that performs complex operations such as turning, milling, drilling, tapping and deep-hole boring. Fathom supports all processes in precision machining with an effective quality control program. We use engineering expertise, experience, state-of-the-art equipment and in-depth knowledge to serve a variety of different industries, including medical, aerospace, defense, automotive and consumer goods. 

From rapid prototypes—both cosmetic and functional—to low-volume production parts, Fathom’s California-based CNC machining team is part of its secure facility and follows processes to protect a company’s IP. Our Oakland production facility is ISO 9001/2015 Design Certified, ITAR Registered and NIST 800-171 Compliant. Customers can choose from a wide variety of metal and plastic material options or can make special material requests. The team offers a tolerance accuracy range from +/-0.001″ to 0.005″ and can support even faster lead-times for on-demand reorders.

Fathom Oakland Office & Production Facility

Advantages of Working With a Local Machine Shop

Fathom is ready to help you produce a high-quality product that meets your project’s exact specifications and deadlines. Over many years and thousands of projects, Fathom has worked with numerous satisfied clients from multiple industries and now we are ready to tackle your project.

Our SmartQuote online platform will allow your team to quickly upload a design to our system, keep track of the progress being made and stay in touch with Fathom experts. 

CNC Parts In As Soon As Next-Day // Get A Quote 

There are many ways your project can benefit from local CNC machining. These include / / 

  • Dedicated Fathom Account Manager with Engineering Expertise 
  • Easy, Quick Online Reorder Process
  • Lower or No Shipping Costs or Additional Shipping Time 
  • Variety of In-Stock Materials & Finishes to Choose From 
  • CNC Parts In As Soon As Next-Day 
Fathom Oakland CNC Machining

Materials & Specifications

Fathom provides leading CNC machining services for both metal and plastic parts. Create custom, high-quality and high-precision machined parts in as soon as next day. Fathom offers stainless steel, low carbon steel, aluminum and brass metal materials. Fathom offers HDPD, PC, ABS, Acrylic, Nylon 6/6, Acetal (Delrin®) and ULTEM® plastic materials. Additional materials can be sourced as requested. Contact a Fathom expert to discuss options.   

CNC Materials

Fathom provides leading CNC machining services across geographies offering both metal CNC machining and plastic CNC machining.

Fathom Metal Options Include / /

METALS OPTIMAL QUANTITY TOLERANCES (+/-) ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS FINISH & APPEARANCE
Stainless Steel 1-1000 +/- 0.005″
  • High Strength
  • High Corrosion Resistance
  • High Weldability
  • Standard Machined Finish
  • Tumbled
  • Bead Blasted (Sand or Glass)
  • Polished
Low Carbon Steel 1-1000 +/- 0.005″
  • Common Steel
  • High Machinability & Weldability
  • Can Be Hardened
  • Not Corrosion Resistant
Aluminum 1-1000 +/- 0.005″
  • High Strength, Low Weight
  • High Machinability
  • Low Cost
Brass 1-1000 +/- 0.005″
  • Corrosion & Chemical Resistant
  • High Density & Strength
  • Non-Conductive

Fathom Plastic Options Include / /

PLASTICS OPTIMAL QUANTITY TOLERANCES (+/-) ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS FINISH & APPEARANCE
HDPE 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • Medium Impact Strength
  • Flexible (Shore D70)
  • FDA Compliant
  • No Water Absorption
  • Standard Machined Finish
  • Tumbled
  • Flame or Vapor Polished (Acrylic Only)
PC 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • Medium Tensile & High Impact Strength
  • Maintains Properties Over Range of Temperatures
  • High Optical Clarity (Clear)
ABS 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • Medium Tensile & High Impact Strength
  • Electrical Insulator
  • High Machinability
  • Low Cost
Acrylic 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • High Tensile Strength
  • Can Be Polished for High Optical Clarity
Nylon 6/6 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • High Tensile & Medium Impact Strength
  • Maintains Properties Over Range of Temperatures
Acetal (Delrin®) 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • Medium Tensile & Medium Impact Strength
  • Holds Machining Tolerances Well
  • Good Wear & Fatigue Resistance
ULTEM® 1-100 +/- 0.008″
  • High Tensile Strength
  • High Working Temperature Range (335°F)
  • Electrical Insulator
  • High Optical Clarity (Clear)

Finishes

Some CNC machines, such as the CNC mill, may leave visible tool marks. Because of this, an additional step may be required or recommended to finish the part. There are many different finishing options depending on your project requirements. Talk to a Fathom expert to see which is the best option for your job. 

  • Standard Machine Finish  
  • Tumbled  
  • Bead Blasted (Sand or Glass)  
  • Polished  
  • Flame or Vapor Polished (Acrylic Only) 
  • Anodized 
  • Chem Film 
  • Passivation 
  • Powder Coat 
  • Electropolishing 
  • Electroless Nickel plating 
  • Silver Plating 
  • Gold Plating  

CNC Q&A with Justin Stebbins, Operations Manager – Oakland

Whatever your question, I assure you, we’ve heard it before. Here are some common CNC machining questions we receive. Any other questionsplease contact our machine shop today for answers. 

Q / / What language is used by CNC machines?
ACNC machines are primarily programmed using G-code though M-code is also acceptable. 

Q / / Are CNC and VMC the same?
A / / No. A computer controls CNC machines. A VMC is a kind of CNC machine used to cut metal. 

Q / / Why should I use CNC machining?
A / / Since the process is automated, it increases efficiency, lowers costs and increases accuracy. 

Q / / What materials can be used in CNC machining?
A / / Depending on the application, common materials include stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum, titanium, foam, polypropylene, ABS, POM, PC, Nylon and more. 

Q / / What are the five different CNC machines?
A / / CNC lathe machine, router machine, milling machine, laser cutting machine and plasma cutting machine. 

Q / / What is the difference between DNC and CNC?
A / / A direct numerical control (DNC) system uses a mainframe computer to operate multiple machines. DNC refers to the networking of more than one CNC machine. 

Q / / What industries use CNC machining?
A / / Aerospace, medical device, photonics, defense, electronics, transportation and more. 

Q / / What type of finish is produced by CNC machining?
A / / Some CNC machines, such as the CNC mill, may leave visible tool marks. Because of this, an additional step may be required or recommended to finish the part. 

Q / / What are the standard finishes for CNC parts?
A / / Bead blast, anodized, chem film, passivation, powder coat, electropolishing, electroless nickel plating, silver plating and gold plating are all standard options. 

What is CNC Machining? 

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process during which a pre-programmed computer software directs the movement of factory machinery and tools. CNC machining can control a variety of complex machinery, from mills and routers to grinders and lathes. Using CNC machining allows three-dimensional cutting tasks to be accomplished with a single set of prompts. This process has become popular because there is no need for a live operator to push levers, buttons or wheels. Once a CNC machine has been activated, the cuts are programmed into the software and then communicated to the tools and machinery which perform the task, similar to a robot. 

CNC machining is ideal for projects requiring production-grade materials and rapid prototyping of tight tolerance plastic and metal parts with excellent surface finishes. The repeatability of the process also opens up the possibility of producing high volume manufacturing of parts using CNC machining.  

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Get A Machining Quote In As Soon As One Hour / / Get A Quote 

Manufacturing Locations Across National Time Zones
Manufacturing Locations Across National Time Zones
The Fathom Advanced Manufacturing Platform
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HEADQUARTERS

1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR

ARIZONA

444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST800-171 Compliant
ITAR

COLORADO

7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

MINNESOTA

13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304

TEXAS

1801 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016

1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016

CALIFORNIA

46758 Lakeview Blvd,
Fremont, CA 94538
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

FLORIDA

14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014

NEW YORK

1920 Slaterville Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
ITAR

401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
AS9100:2016
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

ILLINOIS

1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
ISO 9001:2015

1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified

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